transporting stuff from old to new

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Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

0 posted 2002-11-01 10:22 AM

~A little fairy dropped off a brand new computer for me last night eehheee!

Any way someone could point me in the right direction of moving all my 'stuff' from this one to the new one?

Is there an easier method than backing everything and then reinstalling it over there? (like can't I just hook them together somehow and pour it all in?) - ok I know,...I'm obnoxiously uninformed. But, what are the steps I take?

(I have a 5!!! hour class in a few so I won't be around until later).

gosh, any info thank you.

*Peace.

.

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

1 posted 2002-11-01 03:33 PM

there is!

or rather, there are... there are a few ways to do it.

the first: if you have ethernet ports connected to both your computers, you can just plug them together and use them like a mini-network (pier-to-pier), then copy everything over.

second: a bit more "difficult." pop open your the case of your old computer and pluck out the hard drive. open your new computer and run the old hard drive in line with the second as a slave. then you can just copy everything over through explorer or something.

lemme know if you want to tackle either of these and we can go more in depth on the actual processes.

hugs you

Ron

Administrator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-05-19

Posts 8669
Michigan, US

2 posted 2002-11-01 04:29 PM

Clarification? Do you want to copy data (i.e., stuff you've created) or programs that you use? If you want to save some Word files or images or stuff like that, Chris is the man. He's leading you in the right direction. Indeed, most people don't have all that much data, at least in terms of size, and a handful of floppies is often the best solution.

If you want to copy over programs, however, it probably isn't going to work. When you install software it usually does much more than just copy the program files to your hard disk. It also makes configuration changes to your operating system and configures itself to run with your hardware. If you just copy the programs over to another computer, they usually won't run correctly (if at all). You need to do the installs again. One at a time.

Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

3 posted 2002-11-01 09:29 PM

~Ok so, things I'd like to move are basically word documents/writings/papers etc, photos (have some 500 photos on here)?, what about music files?

Ron, that is horribly despressing information, lol. The programs, like photoshop and illustrator I'd have to reinstall? and say, my digital camera software and my scanner software etc?

You know, I'm so horribly organized here with this desk, I'm going to have to FIND the software for these programs, the scanner one is kicking around because I've needed it semi recently when I messed that up.

So, huge breath, do I begin with saving what I can to floppies or trying to figure out if I can pier to pier network the two and transport (copy?) the things I can over?

Enormous thank yous to the two of you!!!

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

4 posted 2002-11-02 11:20 PM

a good distinction there Ron.

A - you will be better off installing it all new. some things (if your new OS is Windows XP) will not need the drivers reloaded - scanner, digital camera, etc. XP will cover most of the products out there in a fairly efficient manner. (the only exception i've noted so far in my experience, is the Canon printers).

As for transferring: Do you have a CD burner on your old computer? If so, that would probably be the easiest method. A standard writable CD holds approx. 640 - 700M of information, which should enable you to use a single disc for all your files. Worst case, you might need to use a couple. At $0.50 / disc, it's not too bad of an investment.

If you don't have one on your old computer, you have a few other options (since it probably isnt' feasible to transfer image files on a floppy disk).

Take the CD Burner out of your new computer (it did come with a burner, right?) and put it in your old one temporarily. The connection is easy - take out your existing CD-Rom drive and replace it with the burner.

From there, you can load up your drivers and software (you should have a disc with your new computer) and copy all the files onto a CD/s. Then put the burner back into your new computer and you're set to copy everything over.

Pier-to-Pier: There are several ways to connect this way, and ethernet isn't the only one - just the easiest.

To find out if you have ethernet capability on both computers, look in the back where everything connects (printer cords, modem cable, etc). An ethernet outlet looks similar to a phone-line (modem) connection, just about 1-1/2 times larger. Next to the outlet should be one or two small lights colored green / yellow. If you have these ports on both computers, just take an network cable, connect it between the two, go to "Control Panel" in XP (start on the one with XP). (I really hope that's what you have, lol). Ok - you can set up your network in XP by following the easy instructions. It will prompt you toward the end, asking if you want a disk for the other computer/s. Definitely a "yes." Then you can put the disk in your other computer and it'll basically set itself up. Following that, you can use Windows Explorer to copy everything over.

There are other ways to set up a pier-to-pier, but let's start here. We can go over the others if this isn'f feasible.
Hard Drive as a slave. Uhm - as I think about it, this isn't nec. "easy." If you want to do it, we can, but i'll save my fingers unless someone wants to.

Personally, I would go with #1 if i had the possibility. Failing that, I would do #3. But I would probably want to keep the old HD anyway, so would do it even if I didnt' need to copy anything over. *smile* Lemme know how this works and if you need some more help. I'm more than happy to expand on anything.

Peace 'n hugs A

C

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

5 posted 2002-11-02 11:24 PM

oh - I just caught the "music data" bit - if you (as I do) have a ton of MP3's (heaven forbid you have it all in 'wav files!

), you'll likely need a few / lot more cds to transfer. a standard CD will hold approximately 145-165 standard-length mp3 songs. Still, the cd's are cheap and it's a good idea to have them all backed up anyway, right?

Ron

Administrator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-05-19

Posts 8669
Michigan, US

6 posted 2002-11-03 04:55 AM

[off topic]

I have this strange vision of two computers with wooden docks coming out the back, the kind I used to fish off when I was a kid. I throw my line into the water and it entangles with the line of someone on the other dock, and conversation ensues. Probably heated conversation.

In the old days, there was only one kind of network, centered around one or more file servers. The file server was "boss" and held all the login information, like usernames, passwords, and folder permissions. The server network is still the most common in the business world, because centralization of the user database gives IT greater control. However, when we don't need that degree of control, when we don't need a "boss" computer, we now have the choice to use a peer-to-peer network.

[/off topic]

Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

7 posted 2002-11-03 01:41 PM

~Ok C, here's the deal:

The older computer does not have a cd burner so I’m thinking I’ll either use your option
‘one’ and put the cd burner from the new into the older OR, I believe that lovely
university that I go to lends out that kind of stuff, external cd burners, zip drives etc. so there’s an option too if I find that I am uncomfortable taking the one out of the new comp. - Then I just copy copy copy and set up the new, yeah? (the new has XP the older 98!). Then I reinstall photoshop and whatnot right?

(oh yeah, the older has a zip drive, the new does not, what a pain uh? the cds are cheaper
anyway). (though, can I eventually put the zip from the old into the new just to have it?).

Ok, I’m heading out for while, will pick up some cds while I am, hm, I’m a tad nervous?
but perhaps I will attempt tackling this tonight,...

Gosh, thank you, no, THANK YOU! for your time and willingness to expand on any of
the information you’ve already given, it’s quite nice of you.

(and lol @ Ron, I only copied what Chris wrote initially).

Oh! another ques., when this process is complete, how do I wipe the old clean? ha.

*Peace.

.

Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

8 posted 2002-11-03 08:52 PM

~Question, I opened the new computer to see about removing the cd burner and everything is connected by this big gray tape? running from one thing to the next. Is this there so that one cannot do what I'm attempting to do?

I'm obviously entirely uneducated in this department and probably shouldn't even be attempting what I'm about to. I've never actually _looked_ inside one of these things before. lol. no, I'm not kidding.

Do you suggest I FIND someone who can come here and do this for me? (I feel like I'm making such a big deal or something, you know, a mountain out of a mole? hill - so unsure and wondering if what I'm to do is easily understood and executed when instructed on how to do so).

Ah, *Peace.

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

9 posted 2002-11-03 10:01 PM

ron - doh. well... it looked right? no more water-speak then, we'll go back to companionable interfaces.

ms. a: without looking at it, i'm going to take an educated guess and say that the "tape" you're referring to is actually the connection between your drives. i don't know the technical term for it off the top of my head, but it's basically a group of wires which transfers information from your drives to the processor to be, uh, processed.

that's a good thing.

the way to tell: if this "tape" is connected in the back of your drive (plugged in) then it's what i think it is. if not, then, uhm? dunno.

to remove the burner:

Remove the screws holding the CD Drive inside the case. Often there are two screws (one each side) but more likely there will be four (two each side).
There should be three things plugged into the back of your drive that need to be unplugged:
1. Data transfer cable (don't know the real name) - looks like grey tape (lol) and terminates in a black plug.
2. Power connection - this has several wires: REd, Yellow, Black, terminating in a white plug.
3. Audio connection - this should be a single wire ending in a small black connection. This may or may not be here depending on your computer's configuration.
Pull out the CD Drive by pushing it through the front of the computer.
Reverse process on your old computer (I would suggest removing your existing CD Drive on your old one and replacing it with the "new" one.) You can look, though i don't think it will be an issue, on the back of your new drive to ensure that it's set properly. (as in Master / Slave / CS) It should be CS, so you can probably ignore this part.
Boot up 'old' computer, install software, copy information to disc, then reverse process.

Really, A, you shouldn't have too much difficulty doing this, though if you feel uncomfortable, you can certainly have someone else go for it.

peaec 'n hugs

Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

10 posted 2002-11-03 11:43 PM

~Lol at the tape. Think I got it now, actually removed the burner, you know that 'tape' stuff has these nice little orange handles? to assist in pulling out the black plug part you were speaking of. So I did what you said, which was helpful, what to unplug and that it was ok to, that's the thing, I'm not sure what is ok to touch and what is not. So you're last message is extremely helpful. So yeah, I think I've got it now,...I'll be back eventually to let you know how things are going. Need to find my software cds to do the reinstalls and that might take some time.

.

Otherwise, think I'm good to go. *Peace-n-hugs-n-thank yous.

.

(I can't stand the way the 'crappy' spaces the text).

[This message has been edited by Alicia (11-03-2002 11:46 PM).]

Ron

Administrator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-05-19

Posts 8669
Michigan, US

11 posted 2002-11-04 12:38 PM

LOL. It's called a ribbon cable because, well, it looks like a ribbon. Especially with that thin red strip down one edge of it?

That thin red stripe is important because it represents pin #1, which is the chassis ground. Some ribbon cable connectors are keyed (meaning you can only plug them in one way), but most aren't. If you reverse the connection is won't hurt anything, but neither will it work. That's the long story. The short story is, always make sure that thin red stripe is pointing towards the power plug (which IS keyed and can only be plugged in one way). There's a whole lot of pins in the ribbon cable connector, but when you get them lined up just so, the connector should slide on easily. If it feels hard, do not apply too much pressure. Just line them up and try again.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

12 posted 2002-11-04 12:11 PM

Eight years ago I used to take PC's apart, part of my job as systems supervisor at two schools. Of cousre they were PC's put together in the olden days before the internet, so I never touched modems or CD bureners etc. Now, I am up against a similar problem to yours, Alicia, and I shudder to think of touching ANYTHING inside my newer PC, which has CD-ROM, CDRW-DVD-RW and GOD only knows what else inside. I am glad I only have a few files to copy onto data disks. I also have XP, and my old puppy has W95! Talk about an antique! LOL, have fun, and remember, they are only machines. But you are very smart to ask what parts are touchable, since the others are often not labeled as untouchables.
Ron and chris, you guys are great! If I ever decide to open up my VAIO I will consult with you first!

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

13 posted 2002-11-04 02:58 PM

Doing the same here... Since Ron's out doing 'other stuff'..

Chris - Don't I need a hub? It can't be done by connecting directly, can it?...

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

14 posted 2002-11-04 03:35 PM

*smile*

peer-to-peer

no hub necessary just running computer to computer.

Acies

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-07

Posts 7665
Twilight Zone

15 posted 2002-11-12 10:03 AM

you could have used a direct cable connect thru your parallel port too

that's if XP still carries that option too
does it Ron?

là où est mon amour?
donde está mi amour?
wo ist meine Liebe?
Nelly Furtado é a menina a mais bonita no mundo largo do todo.

Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

16 posted 2002-11-12 09:49 PM

~Ribbon Cable, Gray Tape,...same difference. lol Ron. Thanks for the clarification.

The newie is up and running, operation complete, successful and all that, though I took another route than moving the cd burner back and forth. I borrowed an external zip, copied away, set up the new comp. plopped it all in and so forth. As for music, sigh, I have faaar too much to copy to disks and transfer (though I should somehow make backups eventually, you know,...before I lose it all). I decided to keep the old comp. and once I update the operating system on the old I should be linking them together? ha, networking them? (have a friend who knows what I'm talking about) (like that?) lol. I just sit here and abuse the thing, I don't actually know how to take care of it.
So yes, please know you have my thanks for all information shared, offered.

*Peace.

.

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

17 posted 2002-11-12 10:24 PM

You're doing better than I am.. I'm trying to share info with XP and it's poor step-child Windows ME... Got it all set - bought the crossover cable - got the network software wizards all set - everything should be a go, yes?

Of course not.. This is me we're talking about. XP recognizes ME - ME doesn't recognize XP - in spite of following the directions for such a mismatch... Go figure... Where's my guru when I need him??..

[This message has been edited by Nan (11-12-2002 10:25 PM).]

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

18 posted 2002-11-13 01:16 AM

Nan - I'm assuming you had XP make a disk for you...? I remember from the network setup that that's an option; a disk that will 'automatically' set up your other computer based on the config for XP.

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

19 posted 2002-11-13 08:21 AM

Yep - Did that... I got the "Setup Wizard" disc to do its thing on both the XP and the ME machine, so the program is properly in place for both - but it doesn't do the "New Connection Wizard" part on ME... The part where you have to tell it where to look for its new friend... I tried redoing the whole process - at least twice... followed the tutorial & everything... When I got to the point of telling ME where to find XP - nada... The disc didn't have the right stuff...

I even tried to copy the "New Connection Wizard" from the XP machine - no such luck...

Acies

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-07

Posts 7665
Twilight Zone

20 posted 2002-11-13 04:06 PM

I always found it easier to laod the network manually for some reason.

là où est mon amour?
donde está mi amour?
wo ist meine Liebe?
Nelly Furtado é a menina a mais bonita no mundo largo do todo.

Alicia
Member

since 2002-03-22

Posts 279

21 posted 2002-11-20 02:38 PM

~Oh I've had it! I'm now using my old hp with the brand new stinkin' dell sitting next to it.

I thought the switchover went rather smoothly, I managed to get all of my files from the old to the new and then, aha, it seems when I added adobe illustrator 9, photoshop 6, the scanner and printer,(which I neeed more than anything for class siigh) something happened. Now, everytime I turn the new computer on I have to reinstall windows xp from the cd? aghh. There is some corrupt or missing file and I have no idea how to DEAL with this, no idea how to fix it. So I've hooked up the older and am ready to chuck the new one out the window.

So it's like 50 degrees here, sunny and what I'd consider warm after such a nasty noreaster weekend, so I'm heading to the park before that thing DOES end up rubble on the roadway below.

*Peace.

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

22 posted 2002-11-26 08:38 AM

Pooooor Alicia.. I can relate..

All righty then - Christopher... Guess what!

After I did the "Permissions" on XP as you suggested, and ME still didn't see it, I reinstalled the Setup Wizard... ET VOILA..

They've bonded!! My computers are happily betrothed. They're now MEXP... Little do they know, however, that ME is not long for this world... As soon as ME shares all that it knows...

Thanks for the help, Chris - It eventually worked out..

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