www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

As the title says, I am going to get a new desktop (just the tower) for the O.H. The one she has now is a Compaq. I was going to get an Asus (sorry if you think the compaq is better, but that is what I have and its no problems)

My question is:

Can I plug one into the other and let the new one copy all the "important stuff" if so how and what do I do please? (LAN cable from one to the other?)

Don't really want to have to use a memory stick, that may take some time.

(Its mostly email and a few pictures that will want copying)

I think you have to use a "crossover" cable and use the Windows Connections Manager (used to do this with Win98 and XP). But if you connect your new computer to your router (who doesn't have one these days?) and set both computers up on a "Network" with sharing, you may well be able to copy files over from one to the other. I'm sure others will be along shortly to tell you more than I can. (don't forget to use the "Thanks" button, if they help solve your problem)

Best solution, if you don't want to keep the old machine, is to purchase an external HDD (with USB connection) case and plug your old drive into it. This will effectively guarantee you don't 'miss' any important information. It could also be a handy external backup/storage device if it's a reasonable capacity.

If you don't mind delving INSIDE the new PC you could fit the old HDD into it too.

Remember that whatever copying over you do it won't (necessarily) work for the software - you inevitably require a reloading of it.

I had thought about putting the old HDD into the new tower, but then I would invalidate the warranty on the new one (Also no idea if there is any physical space inside new one, should be, but is there)

someone-else wrote:I had thought about putting the old HDD into the new tower, but then I would invalidate the warranty on the new one (Also no idea if there is any physical space inside new one, should be, but is there)

More information needed to answer that, like do they have the same connections. SATA HDD would be a piece of cake to install and wouldn't invalidate warranty (unless you've got sealed screws on the case?). Take the back off, are the HDDs connected to the motherboard by a flat red cable about 15mm wide ?

Otherwise a simple network connection through the router, as mentioned above you won't be able to copy programs so they still work, but documents & images no problem.
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Paul

usb to usb cable, new computer open " Windows easy transfer" follow the instructions on screen.

wine~o wrote:usb to usb cable, new computer open " Windows easy transfer" follow the instructions on screen.

Sounds like a plan, now all I have to do is get a new desktop. Thankyou. (I will come back and let you know what happens, or not)

I will absolutely GUARANTEE that you'll miss something on the copying over. Stuff it into a USB-HDD case and you'll have it for as long as you ever need it.

Concur with KE. I got a new (secondhand) computer a few months ago and forgot (amongst other things) to make a note of email addresses. One which I needed urgently, took a week of phone calls and text messages before the chap got back to me (he was out of the country at the time) Some photos I had on the old computer have now been lost forever. Also forgot to copy my CV over. Luckily I have a printed copy, but will now have to spend a few hours creating a new document with all the information on it.

I'll add another vote for the external HDD, 1TB is under £50 now and after you have finished copying stuff over you can use it as extra portable storage and backup.

someone-else wrote:

wine~o wrote:usb to usb cable, new computer open " Windows easy transfer" follow the instructions on screen.

Sounds like a plan, now all I have to do is get a new desktop. Thankyou. (I will come back and let you know what happens, or not)

Oh go on.... hit the button..

You know you want to....

kellys_eye wrote:I will absolutely GUARANTEE that you'll miss something on the copying over.

I Didn't last time ???

kellys_eye wrote:I will absolutely GUARANTEE that you'll miss something

That'll be the "Thanks" button then.

joinerjohn wrote:

kellys_eye wrote:I will absolutely GUARANTEE that you'll miss something

That'll be the "Thanks" button then.

Been out most of the day, first stop was to get pc.

Now going to open it and "set it up"