Transferring between PCs

[Don_Hammy]

Hi
We're getting a new PC soon. I want to transfer the hundreds of mp3s and website files from old PC to new...
I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to do this cheaply (free if possible) and easily.
The old PC has an internal zip disk, and the new one has an internal CD-R/W, so there's no chance of using them, and the files are too big for floppy disc.
So...We thought of LANs and networks and all of that...
But we have no techie knowledge at all....
If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. In fact you would be saving 3 websites, 300 mp3s and a lot of downloading!

Cheers

[AnthraxVI]

You could use direct cable connection, u'd be waiting all week for the transfer tho. Best bet is two cheap 10/100mbps network cards, about £10 each, and a crossover cable, ask in your local friendly computer store (not PCworld, tempo, etc) and they should make one up for you. Install the cards, give each machine a unique name, and name the workgroup they are in. All this is done thro the network option in control panal. Need more detailed info, post back here.

[Birdy]

If you know someone with laplink? this is the easiest way all it is is a cable that connects your two parrallel ports together you then run a small dos program on both machines hey presto you can see them both. But You've got to get hold of the cable, Don't you know anyone with a little bit of technical knowledge who could take your CDR outta the newPC and install it in the old one? so you could copy the files that way?

[Rigo]

laplink is a program not a cable!

you need to have a network to run laplink but there is no real need for laplink cos windows explorer will do all you want m8.

the cheapest thing to do is paut all your data onto zip disks then stick your zip drive in your new machine, or the other alternative is, like birdy says, take your CD RW out your new one pop it into your old one and write all the CDs then swap it back again.

If you are keeping your current PC then the best bet is to go for a network cos then you can share files and play games. But i wouldn't skimp too much on the cards, go for 2x netgear one's, http://www.insight.com/uk go to network and it's on first page up at top, for £16 a piece. I made the mistake of buying cheap £9 ones and they didn't work but the netgear ones work a treat. Couple em together with CAT5 crossover cable form your local computer shop and you're away.

you need any more help just post back again.

[Birdy]

I'm actually sat here with two portable a users and a spare the user want to upgrade his HD from 2 Gig to 8 so I've got the new hard drive in the help desk spare and I've opened my box of laplink 3 took out the parrallel laplink cable ran LL3 on both PC's transferred all of the hard drive from the users PC to the spare with the new hard drive in via the laplink cable connected to the parrallel ports. Swapped the hard drives over the users PC is now working including win98 etc with the new large hard drive and with the users PC working as before. Check here --->> http://www.laplink.com/products/cables/details.asp :jigga:

[Edited by Birdy on 22-08-2000 at 04:32 PM]

[Rigo]

laplink itself is not a cable! one may be included with the retail version of laplink but laplink is the software. You also said it was a DOS program which it ain't!

[Birdy]

I use LL3 which is DOS based and still the best imo as you don't have to install in windows just simply run ll3.exe and away you go I think the windows version came out at version 5 or ll5, use altavista and search for LL3.EXE and have a look run it yersel' if you still dont believe me, so there :P

[WillyPete]

The very fastest way to do it , if you can turn the machines off, is to remove the HD from the original machine, and using the cable from the new machine's cd player or zipdisk, copy all the files across to the new HD.
If all you have on the 2nd IDE cable is the old HD, you don't have to worry about jumper settings or cable positions.

[-[Raven]-]

rigo = right

I've used DOS version too.

DOS 0wnz j00!

I miss my command line interface :(

[PUMBA!]

M8
i had the same situation, i just borrowed a network card from my mate, and one frmo pc world :naughty: and used a crossover cable

[Birdy]

I'd also go for the two hd's in one pc,

[The Laughing Cow]

me runs for cover as another :angry: war erupts

[Rigo]

i know what you mean :)

[Custodian]

I think Birdy & Rigo are both right.....

I am old enough to remember the original LapLink that ran in DOS, as well as the windows versions that came later. And I remember how when you bought (or borrowed) it it came with a blue (serial) or yellow (parallel) cable. These cables were commonly known as "laplink cables" as they were pretty much the only reason you'd use them in those days.

Nowadays transferring data via serial or parallel ports must seem quite slow - but would still work if you ain't in a hurry.

Anyways....that's that argument over I hope :)

I have just connected my own 2 PCs at home using a D-Link 10/100 card (£18) and a short CAT5 crossover cable (£4 I think). The other PC already had a 10/100 on-board so that saved me a few quid. Doing it was a doddle, so if you are keeping both PCs Don_Hammy it is worth it.

[The Laughing Cow]

:monkee: :D :laugh: :pimp: