Help - Need to move stuff to the new PC

[Big Slim 31]

I'm not very PC savvy, so I was just wondering if anyone had any adivce , hints or tricks for tranferring files and programs from an ancient PC to the new one I just purchased today. I don't think I'll have an issue with my MP3s and other files, but I do have a couple programs for which I seem to have misplaced the disks and they have been updated several times, Motorola Phone Tools for example.

Any advice would sure be appreciated!!

[JParker0105]

Do you have a PC to PC USB cable? you could try that.

[AngryMongoose]

I know some people use disc to transfer

[The Milk Man 09]

You could use an external hardrive and pick and choose which files you want to put on there or if you get a big enough one, you can just do a drive backup.

[KEEZY]

As far as programs... you can't really pick up a program and move it. It has to be installed again. I shouldn't say can't... it really depends on the program. You can try moving the directory, and then running any setup files the program has...

[namehater]

most newer programs attach themselves to your system registry, so you cant just put them on a disc or transfer it and expect it to work, they make programs that do specifically what you need, but im not sure of the names

a good rule of thumb would be, if the program has an activation key you cant transfer it, you would have to reinstall it to the new computer, but any program that you just install and it runs without having to put in some sort of key should be good to just copy to a disc and copy from that disc to the new pc

[Crippler]

Do you plan on using your old PC? If not, why not install the old HDD into the new PC. Once Windows assigns a new drive letter, you may be able to get away with just updating the programs shortcut paths to reflect the new drive letter. As Keezles stated, some programs are pretty tied into the registry and won't work unless reinstalled.

[Big Slim 31]

Well, I'm really only after a couple programs, neither of which required a key. I've just had them a while and there have been many new version updates over the years. I'll give those ideas a shot and we'll see what happens. Worse case scenario is that I'll have to pony up the cash for the programs again.

Thanks guys!!

[Snake1399]

i just bought a new pc and transferred all my stuff with a Belkin Easy Transfer. Everything came over ok, but you do have to install the programs you had to the new PC. But once you do, all the files you transferred will be there, including e-mails. It transfers all your settings so you dont have to re-configure your e-mail accounts. Let me know if ya have more issues, imma PC guru



Snake

[namehater]

if you were a pc guru you wouldnt have needed that cable

sorry lol, couldnt resist talkin some smack before leaving work

[Snake1399]

Originally Posted by namehater

if you were a pc guru you wouldnt have needed that cable

sorry lol, couldnt resist talkin some smack before leaving work

Au contrare mon friar, thats just it, the cable was a breeze and didnt take long at all. who wants to burn disks, firewires etc....it would take hours!

[lovekeiiy]

If it was me, if you know the names of the programs, you may be able to download in the installation files onto the new computer. I would imagine they'll have them for download for tools dealing with the cellphone and similar items. Programs that are the main product themselves, not a compliment to some piece of equipment, such as Office, Pagemaker, Quickbooks, and so on, you're probably SOL.

As for data files, if you have a LAN setup, just setup the drives and just move the files. Pretty easy. Otherwise, I would just use a USB flash drive.