Do It Yourself-Data Transfer

It seems from the traffic on our web site we get a lot of inquires on data and file transfers. While there are many good tech companies out there to help you, it is a relatively simple procedure. So, here are some tips on how to transfer data from your old computer to the new one. This is your do-it-yourself course.

The first thing to do is determine what data or file transfers you want to do. We will keep it simple and suggest you do not try to transfer programs from one computer to the next as that is a very geekie thing to do and usually ends in failure. Simply, computer applications are designed not to transfer. So, for simplicity let us keep them out of our discussion.

Think of the process as moving fish from one bowl to another. You must handle the data carefully to avoid killing it.

The most common data transfer is to move My Documents from one computer to another. Go to your documents folder and determine the size of the folder. The size will help you determine what data transfer method you want to use. For small folders we will use a USB Flash Drive and for larger ones an external hard drive device also known as an external backup disk.

Here is how to check the size of the My Documents folder. Click Start find My Documents and right click on My Documents, scroll down to Properties and click it. The My Documents window will open with several tabs across the top. Select the tab called General and watch as you compute the size of the folder.

If the folder is under 8GB use a flash device. Plug in the device and wait for Windows to detect it. Open the flash device to display folders drag the window to the right of your screen. If you have the window in full screen mode, click the restore down button, double panes upper right of the active window. Create a small window on the desktop.

Now open the My Documents file and make the window small enough you can still see the flash device window that you just created. You should now have both windows in view on your desktop. Click Edit in the My Documents window then scroll down to Select All and click it. Move your mouse over any of the selected files, right click, and select Copy. Move your mouse to the flash drive window, right click and click on Paste. The files you want to transfer are now moving to the flash drive, and assuming the flash drive has enough space you are performing ad file and document transfer. That is a simple copy and paste procedure.

If the My Documents folder is larger than 8GB then you need an external hard drive backup device. The procedure is the same as above except the drive is larger.

You can get an 8GB Flash Drive or an External Hard Drive from you friendly and knowledgeable local computer dealer or super-giant-big-box-no-help-here store. The cost is about the same but the perception of a deal is different. Your choice, either works.

To move the folders, files and documents back to the new computer is the same procedure as above, except in reverse. Open the My Documents Folder in the new computer and leave space on your desktop for opening the device, either flash or external hard drive, window. Now click Edit on the device folder, select all, and paste into the My Documents folder. Simple.

But, if it is not so simple find either your local computer dealer or Google for file transfer.

The Microsoft Method

Step 2: Transfer the files and the settings to the new computer This article contains step-by-step instructions about how to use the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" in Microsoft Windows XP to transfer files and settings from an old computer to a new computer.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user. You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first. Back to the top

How to use the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" in Windows XP You can use the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" in Windows XP to transfer settings for Microsoft Internet Explorer and for Microsoft Outlook Express. You can also use this wizard to transfer desktop settings, display settings, dial-up connections, and other types of settings. Back to the top

Step 1: Get the files and the settings from the old computer a. On the old computer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
b. In the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard dialog box, click Next, and then click Old Computer.
c. Click Next, and then select a transfer method, such as Floppy drive or other removable media.
d. Click Next, and then click the option that corresponds to the items that you want to transfer. For example, you can click Settings only, Files only, or Both files and settings.
e. Click Next two times, and then wait as the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" processes the items to transfer.
f. Click Finish.

Step 2: Transfer the files and the settings to the new computer
a. On the new computer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
b. In the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard dialog box, click Next, and then click New Computer.
c. Click Next, and then click I don’t need the Wizard Disk. I have already collected my files and settings from my old computer.
d. Click Next, and then select a transfer method, such as Floppy drive or other removable media.

Note You must select the same transfer method that you selected on the old computer. e. Click Next, and then wait as the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" processes the items to transfer.
f. Click Finish.