How do I back up all files and settings on one computer and import them to another?

Question

I need to move all of my documents, files, settings, and user accounts from one computer to a new computer. What is the easiest way to do this? How do I ensure that I have not "missed" any files? Can I export and import the user accounts, also?

Answer 1

There is a Files and Settings Transfer Wizard built into XP. Try going to help and support and type in the above and you'll get instructions. There is also 3rd party software - like Aloha Bob that will do it for you.

Answer 2

The easiest way (which if you had to ask this question, i'll assume you're no veteran user) is to use the transfer wizard, built into XP, (as the earlier user suggested) other products that will do the trick are any backup or "Ghost" programs, most noteably, Norton Ghost.. simple to use, and WELL worth the $35-$40!

Answer 3

what you need to do is put the files into zips - as they are self checking for corruption. then burn them to a disc.

if you have a network linking your PC's use it to send the data.

you can back up the whole registry and import it into your new computer, but this is not recommended because of all the crap you might have on the old one you want to get rid of

the best thing to do is start afresh with the settings, and just move the files and documents

Answer 4

Learn about disk mirroring

A technique in which data is written to two duplicate disks simultaneously. This way if one of the disk drives fails, the system can instantly switch to the other disk without any loss of data or service. Disk mirroring is used commonly in on-line database systems where it's critical that the data be accessible at all times.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/disk_mirroring.html