except for using a complete backup what is the best and/or easiest/cheapest way to transfer files from my vista laptop to a newer W7 or W8 ...any thoughts on the 'transfer cable' system (belkin?) ...thanks
transferring files to new computer
(7 posts) (4 voices)-
mikiem2
ModeratorThe part that takes longer when copying a bunch of files is dealing with each file individually, so apps like FastCopy can help. So can turning off any security software, so it doesn't check each file. A disk/partition image backup deals with raw data, & that's why it's faster, but if you're not restoring that complete image you lose your speed advantage.
One way that does work if you've got a *Lot* of stuff to copy, with a caveat I'll get to in a moment, is writing a disk/partition image backup to an external hard drive or optical discs, restoring that image to a virtual drive on the target system, copying what you want/need from that virtual disk to your real partition, then deleting the virtual disk. The caveat is is that if you use Paragon Backup to do that you need to use EasyBCD to remove the virtual disk from your boot menu. The advantage is you're writing/reading archive files that are smaller than the actual files on disk.
Copying to & from an external hard drive via eSATA or USB 3.0 is probably fastest, & writing to, reading from DVD or BD still faster than some network connections. RE: the transfer cable itself, I think I'd consider a regular, cheap network switch instead, which would be about the same price but something you'd have greater odds of being able to use in the future. Or consider a regular gateway or router for around $10 more [~$20 or more total] that sits between any networked connections/devices & the modem [unless you're on dial-up] -- that would provide more protection with a NAT, which both hides & insulates your PC/laptop from attacks & probing from the Internet.
Note that copying files does just that -- it won't install software. With many of the GOTD games that won't matter -- you'll just often lose saved games unless you locate & copy the folder where that's stored -- but any other apps may or may not work, or may or may not work properly.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregisteredthanks...actually i am on dialup and i have an acronis full backup but, suspect after 5-6 years of 'vista' i've accumulated a lot of unremovable junk and for the most part, it's only maybe a half dozen programs (mostly GOTD) that i'd want to keep...so, would the acronis still be the best way to go?
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
Moderator"a half dozen programs (mostly GOTD) that i'd want to keep..."
According to the GOTD terms everyone's supposed to buy the current version in your situation, but since you've got other software too...
With programs the easiest & cheapest way to add them to a new laptop would be if you have the original setup program & key. If not, the easiest way may be using Laplink PCmover http://ww2.laplink.com/pcmover/ -- http://ww2.laplink.com/help/faqs_data/pcmover/181.html
For just those few programs I'd suggest just using a USB stick or DVD to transfer the apps -- if you didn't use PCmover I'd suggest compressing the individual program folders with 7-zip & copying them that way, but getting them to work on your new laptop may be easy or hard. For any one app you might have a folder under Program Files [assuming 32 bit Vista which was most common] -- My Documents -- User\ [UserName]\ AppData\ Local &/or Roaming -- Program Data -- & more rarely in the Windows or Windows\ System 32 folders. You also may or may not have registry keys &/or values necessary for the app to run.
I'd suggest expanding the 7-zip files once they were copied to the new laptop & put the folders in the same place they were on the Vista laptop, probably Program Files, even if your new laptop has 64 bit win7 or 8, where 32 bit software should otherwise go into Program Files (x86). Then try to run them by right-clicking the .exe file for the app & running as administrator -- if it runs check those other folder locations [except the 2 in Windows] & see if any new folders were created -- if so, & you have any problems with the way the app works or it's un-registered, copy those folders from your Vista laptop as well. With luck everything will be just as it was.
If the program won't run properly, & you either don't see any new folders, or copying the one's you see on your new laptop doesn't do the job, you can try to find folders in those other locations yourself, going by the name of the app &/or the company that made it -- you'll likely have a lot of folders to sort through, & sometimes the names have nothing to do with the app you're trying to get running, so it's a bit harder. If the app still needs a key, sometimes you can get it by starting the app in Vista & checking the About box, which is usually under the Help menu item. Nirsoft.net also has a free program that might be able to show the key if/when you run it on your Vista laptop. Otherwise you have to check the registry.
TO check the registry on your Vista laptop click the start button & then Run [you may have to check your Start Menu settings or options if "Run" doesn't show up there already]. Now type regedit in the run box & click OK. In the Regedit "Edit" menu you'll see Find -- click it & enter the name of the program you're trying to get working. You're generally looking for a key with the app's name in the Local Machine &/or Current User\ Software sections. It may have the key in plain view you can write down, or you can try right-clicking the key with the same name as your app & exporting it to a .reg file. Copy that file to your new laptop & double click it & it should add itself to the registry there.
That said, this sort of thing may or may not work & I've no idea how well the Laplink software works, so please bear that in mind. Many software companies hide their program license keys so you can't easily find them, &/or they may make the ID of your PC/laptop part of the key so it won't work anywhere else. Some programs add special keys to the registry that they need to work properly [e.g. CLSID] that you have no way of finding. Some programs need files that they add to folders already full of files, like Windows\ System32, & you will very likely never find those, so transferring app is not a sure bet.
Posted 11 years ago # -
ChrisS
AdministratorFor the actual file transfer... do both PCs have a network card? If so, simply network them together and transfer away. If one does but the other doesn't then a USB to Ethernet adapter is available.
But, think about the future - if you prepare your new PC with data transfer in mind then your life will be much easier. Create two partitions on the new PC, one for the system and programs, the other for your data. Ideally, if you have enough free space on the old PC you could do the same on it and move all of your data to the new partition. You can then use the imaging software to make an image of the data partition and restore it to the new PC. Your data is the only thing of value on the PC, you can always reload the programs, most of time anyway.
Forget about moving the programs, you're just asking for problems. Your best bet is to buy the programs or wait for them to be offered again.
Posted 11 years ago #
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