File transfers from old PC to New: use the pro?

[Jerry_75_Guy]

Our new Dell arrived yesterday.

 

I was prepared to take both the old and new PC to a local shop and have the tech move as many files and programs over as possible, but then I came acrossed the file transfer app. in Vista.

 

Clearly, now I can, with the appropriate 2.0 USB cable, move many of these files my self (by the way, I only have one monitor, so I'm hoping that won't somehow put the kabosh on any DIY attempts).

 

Here's the question; is it still worth it ($60) to go ahead and have the tech at the shop do some or all of this? What I'm getting at is this; with whatever utilities such service shops generally have available to them, do they have the ability to 'do more' than this resident transfer app. I now have at hand, or is it pretty much the same thing with the primary diff. being that I get the 'privilege' of paying the guy to do it for me?

 

I'm also itching to move a few programs over, but it's unclear to me whether that's possible, technically or legally (some of the EULA's seem to imply you may be allowed to put one additional copy on one additional PC). I guess, technically, I'd be making 'copies' of the original apps I want to move, but (not that this probably matters in a legal sense) my purpose isn't to make more 'copies' to use on additional machines, but to move the apps. from my dying machine (the HD is old and in bad shape) to a new one.

 

I know we've got quite a few accomplished admin./tech folks here; wadda ya think?

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

If your old computer has a CD burner, this should be a pretty easy DIY project, at least as regards your data files. Even if you've got a couple of gigs of data (docs, pics, email files, etc.), that's still only about three CD's - $1.50 in materials, and maybe an hour of burn time. Me, I'd do it myself.

 

Unless the pro's have some kind of master list, I think it'll be difficult for them (or anyone else) to move apps over. They'd have to move/modify all the right registry keys, as well as all the various files that get tucked into system directories and such. If you want the apps on your new PC, I think you're gonna need the source CD's/DVD's.

[Aluminum_Butt]

My thoughts:

 

1. It's unlikely that you will be able to "copy" any programs and have them work. Instead, they will need to be reinstalled from the original media. Copying would move the files over, but most program installations add things to the registry, register certain files with the OS, etc - these cannot be accomplished with simple file transfer.

 

2. To be completely legal, you would have to consult the EULA for a given piece of software. Many OEM software packages (i.e. shipped with the computer) are not transferable to a different machine. Act according to your conscience.

 

3. Whether you do it yourself or not, the file transfer will:

 

* Move your data files (e.g. Word docs, pictures, music files)

* Move settings (e.g. Internet Explorer favorites, themes)

* Move Email message stores

 

The trick to number 3 is making sure that everything is moved. That's where a pro can help. For example, you may not be able to find the Outlook Express message store, which is buried about 10 folders deep on your C: drive.

 

That said, the trick to working with that person is to make sure they are aware of all the applications you use, so that they know what files to look for. If you have someone who will work with you, it can give you some peace of mind. However, if you're just giving $60 to some guy behind the counter at Big Box Electronics, and you'll never get to talk to the person doing the work, I'd guess you'll do just as well DIY.

 

 

 

 

[Jerry_75_Guy]

Thanks very much gentlemen; based upon your comments I'll likely try the DIY route, though I'm still not sure about the "apps" issue.

 

Some are, as far as I know, no longer available new, and others, the Garmin MapSource for the 276 I use on the RT and VFR for instance, are still out there in one form or another, but with out contacting the company (given some of the wording I've come acrossed in the EULA's) it's hard to tell if reusing the cd's is a 'no no' and whether there might be some protection preventing proper operation after reinstallation.

[stubble!]

You should feel comfortable that if you purchased the software and have the media, you can install it on your new computer. As was previously mentioned, you WILL have to install it from media. Legally you should remove these apps from your old computer*.

 

Your data, such as documents, saved routes, email, will obviously not come over unless you do so yourself. So just check out where each of your applications stores this stuff and back up / migrate accordingly.

 

You may find an external hard drive to be useful for this (and backups later).

 

* Finally, just consider where your old computer is going, and what's on it. You probably want to clear your personal data, and the surest way of doing this is format the drive and reinstall windows.

 

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Some are, as far as I know, no longer available new, and others, the Garmin MapSource for the 276 I use on the RT and VFR for instance, are still out there in one form or another, but with out contacting the company (given some of the wording I've come acrossed in the EULA's) it's hard to tell if reusing the cd's is a 'no no' and whether there might be some protection preventing proper operation after reinstallation.

 

Don't sweat it. For Mapsource, they only care that you've purchased an "unlock" code for your particular GPS unit. You can install the software on as many systems as you like.

 

For others, I've never had a problem installing old software on new PC's using the source discs. You're not a pirate, you're a legitimate end-user.

 

Your data, such as documents, saved routes, email, will obviously not come over unless you do so yourself. So just check out where each of your applications stores this stuff and back up / migrate accordingly.

 

For MS Outlook, in the File menu there's a command to export email folders to a file of one's choosing. I use this option regularly to backup all my email files, but it's also useful for moving email files to a new computer: back up to a PST file, save PST file to CD, then on the new computer simply import from the same PST file (don't import multiple times, or you will end up with multiple copies of every single email! DAMHIK!!!!). Other email programs should have a similar feature.

 

For MSIE Favorites, check your user folder in the "Documents and Settings" folder on the C drive.

 

* Finally, just consider where your old computer is going, and what's on it. You probably want to clear your personal data, and the surest way of doing this is format the drive and reinstall windows.

 

After a few horror stories I've heard, I will never let a functional hard drive out of my possession once it's had personal data on it. Sledgehammer it, drill a hole through it, whatever. I've heard of several instances where personal data has been recovered from HD's after having been deleted and even reformatted. Once you've had the computer for a few years the HD isn't even worth that much, due to the far-increased capacity of the drives currently on the market; physical destruction of the HD (not the whole PC) is cheap insurance against identitiy theft.

[Twisties]

* Finally, just consider where your old computer is going, and what's on it. You probably want to clear your personal data, and the surest way of doing this is format the drive and reinstall windows.

 

I drill mine, yes literally. I pull the hard drives, and drill three holes, then do my best with a sledge hammer just to be sure. So far as I am aware, there is no other way to be sure.

 

I guess I should have read to the end. Mitch beat me to it.

[Rob_Mayes]

I use a USB flash card to move my data, document, and images to a new computer. The flash card also serves as my backup. An 8 GB card is only $50.00. Most programs need to be "Installed" and cannot just be copied over. There are too many DLLs and registry entries to try to manually copy programs over. I just get out all my old install disks and do the work. Copying over programs is also dangerous because that is where Viruses can be hiding.

[Jerry_75_Guy]

Thanks very much guys; I really appreciate the help.

 

And in particular the suggestions regarding disposal of the HD. Hell, I've been wanting to hit the @#$%^&* thing with a hammer for a while now anyway

[stubble!]

If you DO wish to keep your hard drive usable, there's a nifty free application called DBAN aka Darik's Boot and Nuke. It will securely remove all traces of your data from a hard disk in preparation for a new life, without physical damage.

 

[Unhofliche_Gesundheit]

re;

"I'm also itching to move a few programs over, but it's unclear to me whether that's possible"

 

as i understand it - windows 95, windows 2000, windows xp aps are forward compatible up to but NOT including Vista.

 

i.e - unlikely that your old windows software will run on your new vista machine (my understanding, i might be wrong, you might want to get an old cheap second monitor so you can have em on the old machine). 'different kernel' i heard a geek say.

[artig]

When I was planning a similar move some time ago I found the PCMover program from Laplink, which is supposed to move programs, files and settings from one computer to another. In the end I didn't use it, but it still sounds interesting. See the Laplink page for details. As a business they have been around for 25 years, and certainly know a great deal about data transfer.

[Deadboy]

I found a program to mirror my drive and just copied one to the other....of course I cannot remember what program it was but they are out there (and many are free). I did have to re-enter a few codes from programs I had installed but not the ones that came on the original drive from the factory...

 

Sounds better than my current task....I have a new MacBook Pro sitting on my desk and after 20+ years using a PC I am having to learn a new way of doing things....

[BULLman]

re;

"I'm also itching to move a few programs over, but it's unclear to me whether that's possible"

 

as i understand it - windows 95, windows 2000, windows xp aps are forward compatible up to but NOT including Vista.

 

i.e - unlikely that your old windows software will run on your new vista machine (my understanding, i might be wrong, you might want to get an old cheap second monitor so you can have em on the old machine). 'different kernel' i heard a geek say.

 

The only problem I had when I bought a new computer [w/Vista] was mapsource. It loaded fine, but wouldn't open my old GPS files. A call in customer service, a long time waiting for them to answer and I was instructed to download the newest version and everything was fine again.

 

I was most worried about Office 2000. No problems. If a driver or program wasn't Vista supported, Vista told me and directed me to the site for Vista version.