Data transfer laptop to laptop

7 Jan 2009 12:23 PM

PM

I have recently acquired a new laptop and would like to transfer files and
programmes (software) from the old one. They both run XP and a bit of
searching told me that I needed a 'cross over' cable to do this by direct
cable method. However, that does not seem to work.

a) on the new laptop the direct cable transfer does not come up as available
in the File Transfer Wizard

b) when connecting the cable both laptops indicate that there is no
connectivity

As transfer by disc or USB stick is slow, cumbersome and potentially leaving
bits and pieces behind, I was hoping there might be a way to get this
working in a more direct way. I do have a wireless hub. Might that work?
Could it be best to try and clone the C-drive onto an external HD and copy it
over?

All suggestions welcome

Many thanks in advance

Peter Mueller

7 Jan 2009 3:28 PM

Pavel A.

PM wrote:

> I have recently acquired a new laptop and would like to transfer files and
> programmes (software) from the old one. They both run XP and a bit of
> searching told me that I needed a 'cross over' cable to do this by direct
> cable method. However, that does not seem to work.

Get a two-sided USB cable specially designed for such transfer or sync.
Ask in Office Depot or computer store.
It looks to Windows as a network (not "direct cable connection").

Or, the File Transfer Wizard can store all the data on a USB disk.
Then you attach it to the new PC and restore there.

If your new PC has Vista and the old - XP,
run the wizard on the newest OS (Vista) first,
and chose to create the "wizard disk".
Run that on the old PC, rather than it's own wizard.

Regards
-- pa

Show quoteHide quote

> a) on the new laptop the direct cable transfer does not come up as available
> in the File Transfer Wizard
>
> b) when connecting the cable both laptops indicate that there is no
> connectivity
>
> As transfer by disc or USB stick is slow, cumbersome and potentially leaving
> bits and pieces behind, I was hoping there might be a way to get this
> working in a more direct way. I do have a wireless hub. Might that work?
> Could it be best to try and clone the C-drive onto an external HD and copy it
> over?
>
> All suggestions welcome
>
> Many thanks in advance
>
> Peter Mueller

7 Jan 2009 7:20 PM

Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]

PM wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> I have recently acquired a new laptop and would like to transfer
> files and programmes (software) from the old one. They both run XP
> and a bit of searching told me that I needed a 'cross over' cable to
> do this by direct cable method. However, that does not seem to work.
>
> a) on the new laptop the direct cable transfer does not come up as
> available in the File Transfer Wizard
>
> b) when connecting the cable both laptops indicate that there is no
> connectivity
>
> As transfer by disc or USB stick is slow, cumbersome and potentially
> leaving bits and pieces behind, I was hoping there might be a way to
> get this working in a more direct way. I do have a wireless hub.
> Might that work? Could it be best to try and clone the C-drive onto
> an external HD and copy it over?
>
> All suggestions welcome
>
> Many thanks in advance
>
> Peter Mueller

Wired or wireless Ethernet is just fine - you'll need to configure
file/print sharing so you can access one PC from the other. I personally
like command line utilities such as robocopy (free download - from the
Microsoft W2003 Resource Kit).

That said, this is useful only for your data files. There is no way to
"transfer" your installed applications to your new computer unless you've
got third party software such as Acronis TrueImage, which can clone your
entire hard drive & restore it to another (you'll need the Workstation
version with the universal restore option, and a disk controller driver for
the new PC to insert when prompted). However, it won't allow you to
selectively restore only your applications - you'd clone / restore your
entire old computer. Although I'm a big fan of Acronis for laptop backups,
in this case I would simply transfer the data files/folders & reinstall the
software you need on the new laptop.

8 Jan 2009 12:16 AM

pip22

You can't just copy programs over an expect them to run if that is your intention. You have to 'install' them from scratch on to your new laptop using the original setup discs or setup files stored on some other media. That's because when a program is installed, many support files are copied to the Windows folder and several entries are written to the Registry. How are you going to find and copy those?

As for copying over your documents & other files etc., forget the hassle of using cables.
That's only used by companies with volume licences to copy over entire operating operating systems across a whole bunch of computers. In your situation it would be much easier and simpler to use the donor laptop's DVD-writer, or get a high-capacity USB stick -- even a 4GB one can be had for very little money online and they are the ideal tool for temporary storage to transfer data with.