theprofessor Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I just bought a new computer and would like to know what is the best, and quickest, way to transfer files and pictures from my old computer to my new one? I have a ton of spreadsheets, word documents and pictures on my old PC that I need to place into my new PC,. I have hundreds of family pictures that would take a huge amount of time to burn onto CD's and was wondering if there was a better way? TIA ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylive5 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I found, for me anyway, that an external HD was the best way to go. Even making data DVDs is much to time consuming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithkt Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 If you are comfortable opening a computer you could also take the hard drive out of the old one and mount it in the new one, but if you'd rather not do that, then sky's suggestion is the easiest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) If both computers have network cards or wireless cards you could just network the two and copy them over. However, the hard drive or a really big thumb drive if both have USB ports is a good suggestion also. Edited September 18, 2009 by Kid Cid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I found, for me anyway, that an external HD was the best way to go. I just did this and it worked well for me too. "copy and paste" into external HD then "copy and paste" into new computer. External HD then also serves as a back-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 If you bought a Coleco Adam, then I would use 90 minute cassette tapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) Flash stick/jump drive/whatever the hell you want to call those little things that nowdays are so cheap w/so much storage space I'm amazed anyone would bother with anything else for file transfer/backup, unless you have a ridiculous amt of stuff to back up. Hell 4 to 8 GB sticks run you about what a modest lunch will. Total plug n play, easy and portable, etc etc. Edited September 18, 2009 by BeeR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Flash stick/jump drive/whatever the hell you want to call those little things that nowdays are so cheap w/so much storage space I'm amazed anyone would bother with anything else for file transfer/backup, unless you have a ridiculous amt of stuff to back up. Hell 4 to 8 GB sticks run you about what a modest lunch will. Total plug n play, easy and portable, etc etc. Do those flash drives fit into a USB port? I have never used them before? Is there any software that you need to install to use them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 I found, for me anyway, that an external HD was the best way to go. Even making data DVDs is much to time consuming. Clarify? What is an external hard drive? Details please .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylive5 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Clarify? What is an external hard drive? Details please .... An external hard drive is just a hard drive that you plug into your available USB port. I would suggest that you go to a best buy or office depot or staples and ask the computer guy to show you a Western Digital 500GB external HD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Since you are talking about lots of photos, I'd go with the external hard drive. The backup capability sounds like something you need as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Yep, I'd either go with an external hard drive or a flash drive (also known as jump drive), both of which plug in to a USB port. I have a 16GB jump drive that I use for backing up my address book and .pst file for outlook, all pictures, videos, and documents. Only takes about 5-6 minutes to pull the files over. And that is with about 8GB of data. If you go the jump drive route, target about $2.50/GB, which is a good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Guys, as usual, you come through. Thanks for the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delicious_bass Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Found this old thread and thought I'd bump it as I am curious to hear what folks think about a couple related topics... For those who do not build their own pc, when you do buy a new one, what do you think is the best way to get rid of the pre-loaded software and junk that comes on the machine? Re-install the OS? Manually uninstall/remove the programs? Anyone use a resource like pcdecrapifier? For those who have iPods, what have you found is the easiest way to get your entire music library over and get your iPod interfacing with the new machine as seemlessly as possible? Not looking for help or instructions...just kinda curious to see how unanimous(or varied) the approaches are amongst the Tailgaters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosberg34 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 (edited) Found this old thread and thought I'd bump it as I am curious to hear what folks think about a couple related topics... For those who do not build their own pc, when you do buy a new one, what do you think is the best way to get rid of the pre-loaded software and junk that comes on the machine? Re-install the OS? Manually uninstall/remove the programs? Anyone use a resource like pcdecrapifier? For those who have iPods, what have you found is the easiest way to get your entire music library over and get your iPod interfacing with the new machine as seemlessly as possible? Not looking for help or instructions...just kinda curious to see how unanimous(or varied) the approaches are amongst the Tailgaters I always reinstall a new OS when I get a new PC. I just get the default OS (usually windows home) and reinstall my Win Professional version instead. CrapWare elimintated! If you have an IPOD just install ITunes and set it (your new PC) to synchronize with your IPOD. Once you plug in the the IPOD it will download all songs to your PC (and vice-versa) from your library - keeping it synchronized. One other thing: Is it just me that a Huddler called "TheProfessor" needs help with a new PC and doesn't know what an external hard drive is? Edited February 22, 2010 by tosberg34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Is it just me that a Huddler called "TheProfessor" needs help with a new PC and doesn't know what an external hard drive is? Yep ........ just you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosberg34 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Yep ........ just you. (sigh)....And here I thought I was going to bring the house down with my humor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 (sigh)....And here I thought I was going to bring the house down with my humor. If it makes you feel better, I laughed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Question, I am about to upgrade to Windows 7 and I want to do a clean install. I don't, however, have the disks that I would need to reinstall some of the programs that are currently on my laptop and that I want to keep. Am I screwed? Or is there a way that I can create some sort of disk that will allow me to install the software? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Question, I am about to upgrade to Windows 7 and I want to do a clean install. I don't, however, have the disks that I would need to reinstall some of the programs that are currently on my laptop and that I want to keep. Am I screwed? Or is there a way that I can create some sort of disk that will allow me to install the software? More than likely, Yes you are screwed. You can't "pull" a program from a HD unless it is a type that does not require an "install", that is it is just an "exe" file that does something. Why are you moving to W7? How old is the puter? What are it's specs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 More than likely, Yes you are screwed. You can't "pull" a program from a HD unless it is a type that does not require an "install", that is it is just an "exe" file that does something. Why are you moving to W7? How old is the puter? What are it's specs? It is a computer I bought back in September with every intention of upgrading to Win 7 when it came out (I got a free upgrade). I would prefer to do a clean install since Vista has been acting weird on me and I want to purge it completely from the system. As for the programs that I want to re-install, nothing is major except for the software for the laptop's built-in webcam. (I have specifically been holding off on adding new programs to the computer until I do the upgrade.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 It is a computer I bought back in September with every intention of upgrading to Win 7 when it came out (I got a free upgrade). I would prefer to do a clean install since Vista has been acting weird on me and I want to purge it completely from the system. As for the programs that I want to re-install, nothing is major except for the software for the laptop's built-in webcam. (I have specifically been holding off on adding new programs to the computer until I do the upgrade.) You may have a couple of options in regards to your webcam software; 1. The program may exist on a CD/DVD that came with the computer, and 2. either the manufacturer of the computer or webcam will have it available online for the drivers, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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