Whats the easiest way to get files off my old computer?

Question

I just hooked up a new computer and want to transfer somes files from my old one. Before I screw it up I thought I ask !!!

Answer 1

fastest method: open old computer, take out the hard drive, install into the new computer, turn on new computer, the operating system will recognize the old drive and assign new drive letters to it.

start transfering the files off your old disk. when finished, turn off computer and remove the old drive.

second method (a bit slower than 1st method) is ethernet, connect both computers through a network

3rd method (a bit slower than 1st and 2nd method) is using gmail.com email your files to your gmail account, then download them back to your new computer. this only works if you have a few files, not 100Gb worth of files because you will be there for 2 years uploading stuff

4th method (slowest) is called "sneaker net" basically lots of floppy disks, or cds transfered from old computer to new.

Answer 2

To give a decent answer I would need more info, like how computer savvy are you and what is the operating system of the old computer and how old it is.

I am also assuming this is a PC.

If you have a home network, you can hook up both computers on the home network and transfer files via the network. Google setting up a home network and sharing folders and you will find plenty of resources.

If you're very computer savvy (though I doubt you would be asking this question if you were and I don't mean that as an insult) you could just connect the old hard drive to the new computer and access that drive through the new operating system, assuming this is a PC. Not the easiest method, but it is fast if you have a LOT of data to copy.

Other options are to connect a USB or Zip drive to the old computer (assuming it has USB port) and backup the data to be transferred to the USB drive and then connect the USB drive to the new computer and copy the files. You could also burn the data on to a CD if the old system has a CD burner.

There are also file transfer programs like laplink that you can get and connect two PCs together, but it can get somewhat complicated.

Answer 3

Maybe not the easiest way, but if you have to transfer a lot of info, you could take the hard disk from the old computer and plug it into the new one, then open the new computer and simply copy - paste. Or you could put a cd writer into the old computer and then write one or more Cd's. either way you have to open up one or both of your computers. Or you could set up a network between them if both have LAN devices. All you need is a cable and the settings afterward.

Answer 4

If you have a home network just give the new computer access to the drives off the old one.

If not you can hook up an Ethernet cable between the two computers..

Or just use a memory stick USB to download the files to and then upload them onto the new computer.

Answer 5

If it is files that you have created, probably best to just use a flash drive or e-mail. However, if you want to salvage the programs and software on the old computer to the new one, you will need migration software. This software will take registry settings, necessary files, and other assorted and sundry components and allow you to put them on the new computer without going through the hassle of reinstalling and configuring.

A word of warning, however. If you were having registry problems with the old computer, it is possible that they may migrate to the new one using this software.

Just run a search for migration software and several options will be there for you to browse through.

S.

Answer 6

If both computers are on your home network, it's easy.

On your new computer, create a new folder called "oldstuff" (or something similar), and share it. Then sit at your old computer, connect to that new shared folder and copy anything over that you want. Just be sure to turn off the sharing when you're done.

Otherwise you could burn a CD or use a USB drive to shuttle files between the two systems.

Answer 7

Best way I know is to network them both and just copy the files over to the new one.

Aside from that, using a cd or dvd to copy file off your old one, then load them up via the cd or dvd to the new one.

There are bunches of software out there you can buy that will transfer your favorites, your IE and Windows settings, and I suppose copy your personal files.

Answer 8

A jump Drive is the way to go.
Heres a link if your not familiar with what I'm talking about.
There are many different brands available.
http://lexar.com/jumpdrive/index.html

A Jump Drive (sometimes called Stick Memory) is just another name for streamlined USB Flash Drive (UFD) that connects to the computer’s USB port. With capacities up to 1 GB, these devices can store a great many documents, pictures, music, video and data and then easily transfer them to another computer using a USB port.
As Jump Drives become more popular, they have begun showing up on campus and have complete replaced the ZIP drive. When properly prepared computers are used, they tend to work well with any system that has a USB port. Simply plug the Jump Drive into an available USB port and the system applies a drive letter and the Jump Drive can be accessed just like a standard hard drive

The problem arises when the Jump Drive is assigned a drive letter reserved for network drive the result is either:

A) The system will boot, but not connect to the network properly, or
B) The Jump Drive is not visible and cannot be used to store data.

The following procedures will help reduce Jump Drive related problems.

How to use a Jump Drive properly by assigning a drive letter:

1) Prior to plugging in the Jump Drive, boot up your computer first and log into the network.
2.) Wait for the desktop to completely load so that you have all of your network drives assigned to all icons on your desktop.
3.) At this point, plug in the Jump Drive into the USB port you intend to use. The USB ports are located either on the back of the computer (on older computers) or located on the bottom of the front panel or on the side near the front panel (on newer computers).
4.) To access any of these hyperlinks you need only to hold down your CTRL KEY and click.
Click on Start, open the Control Panel, click on Administrative Tools, then click on Computer Management.

Under “Storage”, click on Disk Management. A listing of all the current drives will appear in the right pane and your Jump Drive will be one of the listings. “Right Click” on your Jump Drive and select “Change Drive Letter and Paths…” when the speed menu opens.

There are three option at the bottom of the of this dialog box, choose the “Change…” option. Make sure that you select the “Assign a new drive letter…” and chose “B” from the dropdown list. Close the dialog box and you are done! Now you can insert your Jump Drive anytime after you boot.

The “B” drive is no longer used on networked computers and will always be available for you when you plug in your Jump Drive. It will not conflict with any of the network drives.
5.) Remember, you cannot boot (start) your computer with the Jump Drive inserted.

How to use a Jump Drive properly without assigning a drive letter:

6.) Prior to plugging in the Jump Drive, boot up your computer first and log into the network.
7.) Wait for the desktop to completely loaded so that you have all of your network drives assigned to all icons on your desktop.
8.) At this point, plug in the Jump Drive into the USB port. The USB ports are located either on the back of the computer (on older computers) or located on the bottom of the front panel or on the left side near the front panel (on newer computers).

Answer 9

There are several ways.
One is copy them to a CD with a CD burner.

Another ways is to get a router and two cables
and transfer them using windows explorer.

Another way is to get an external hard drive. copy the files to it, and then plug it into the new computer and transfer them.

Answer 10

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