File Transfer from old laptop to new

C.Linton · #1 11-07-2010, 11:40 AM

I'm hoping to get a new laptop in January, and I've been looking at a couple of programs, Intellimover by Detto and Windows 7 Transfer Kit For Dummies, to transfer files like Internet Explorer and Norton interrnet Security
Settings and preferences, pictures, documents and the like from my old laptop to the new. Has anyone any experience with either of these transfer programs, or know of a better one? One important thing, the program has to work without having to install it on the old laptop ,as the CD rom drive is busted. (one of the many reasons I'm getting a new computer).
Any other tips and/or advice about transferring stuff from an old to a new laptop would be halpful.
Oh, and bTW, it's a wireless setup, if that makes any difference.

C.Linton · #2 11-07-2010, 05:03 PM

Anybody ??

MJ5150 · #3 11-07-2010, 05:26 PM

External hard drive or key fob/thumb drive if not a lot (under 30GB). You don't need to buy a program to do this.

-Mike

mmbongo · #4 11-07-2010, 05:32 PM

Yep. Transfer programs are useless and a ripoff. All you need is an external drive. I suggest getting a nice big one (at least 1tb) so you can perform a backup of all your data at least once a week. If you're not doing this currently, start RIGHT NOW. If you don't backup, you're just simply a great fool.

All you need to do is copy all your files to the drive, then copy them from the drive to the new laptop.

I wouldn't bother with Norton Security, it's also a ripoff. Install AVG Free on your new one, it's free and works FAR better than Norton.

You shouldn't need to save any settings from IE, but you can export your bookmarks. You also should ditch IE and switch to Chrome. Much better, much faster.

MJ5150 · #5 11-07-2010, 05:37 PM

mmbongo is spot on with the comment about Norton being a ripoff.

-Mike

Pilgrim · #6 11-07-2010, 06:54 PM

IIRC WIn7 has a transfer utility in it, but I'd have to do some Internet searching to confirm. You might check on it with a couple of searches.

I've learned that there's a reason to use the default file locations in the Users directory of recent versions of Windows. It gives you consistent locations for documents, photos, music, etc. You can back up or transfer your User directory and everything's in there.

What is NOT easy to transfer - and I appreciate it if others will help with this - is transferring programs you've installed. I know of no easy way to do this. If it's free software, no problem - just re-download it. If you paid for it, ALWAYS save the email or text document with the serial number or code required to activate the software. Also - if you pay for software and download it, I think it's a good idea to transfer that downloaded file onto a CD and store the CD (or use an external backup drive), so you can re-install the program from the original download file if needed. In most cases you will be able to re-download the purchased program, but not always. If you save the downloaded files you won't have to worry about it.

This is one reason I really like to download programs with Firefox, not IE. Firefox opens a opo-up window showing you downloaded files, and you can always get back to it by clicking Tools > Downloads. You can right-click any file in the Firefox download box and select the option to open the folder with all the downloaded files - which will be in your User directory, but it's a nice shortcut.

C.Linton · #7 11-07-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Yep. Transfer programs are useless and a ripoff. All you need is an external drive. I suggest getting a nice big one (at least 1tb) so you can perform a backup of all your data at least once a week. If you're not doing this currently, start RIGHT NOW. If you don't backup, you're just simply a great fool.

All you need to do is copy all your files to the drive, then copy them from the drive to the new laptop.

And how expensive will that be? I'm gonna have to save up for the laptop to begin with, and I'm not gonna have a lot of money left over. I wouldn't be able to do that for a long while.

C.Linton · #8 11-07-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

IIRC WIn7 has a transfer utility in it, but I'd have to do some Internet searching to confirm. You might check on it with a couple of searches.

That would be perfect , if true.

Quote:

I've learned that there's a reason to use the default file locations in the Users directory of recent versions of Windows. It gives you consistent locations for documents, photos, music, etc. You can back up or transfer your User directory and everything's in there.

Cool.

Quote:

What is NOT easy to transfer - and I appreciate it if others will help with this - is transferring programs you've installed. I know of no easy way to do this. If it's free software, no problem - just re-download it. If you paid for it, ALWAYS save the email or text document with the serial number or code required to activate the software. Also - if you pay for software and download it, I think it's a good idea to transfer that downloaded file onto a CD and store the CD (or use an external backup drive), so you can re-install the program from the original download file if needed. In most cases you will be able to re-download the purchased program, but not always. If you save the downloaded files you won't have to worry about it.

Not a problem, I really don't use any programs outside of what usually comes pre-installed on the computer.

C.Linton · #9 11-07-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I wouldn't bother with Norton Security, it's also a ripoff. Install AVG Free on your new one, it's free and works FAR better than Norton.You shouldn't need to save any settings from IE, but you can export your bookmarks. You also should ditch IE and switch to Chrome. Much better, much faster.

Where might I find this?

Mazatleco17 · #10 11-07-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Where might I find this?

Right here. http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free

tk421 · #11 11-08-2010, 03:30 AM

avast is just as good as avg, if not better.

just sayin'.

Absentia · #12 11-08-2010, 06:08 AM

Get a pen drive
go to my computer ---> documents and settings---> "your name"-----> copy
Paste into pen drive... DONE
then copy anything else you need.

Place the profile name in the same place on the new computer and re-name it the same as the login you'll be using on the new computer.

Done deal.

Panda cloud for AV it's bettah

sloasdaylight · #13 11-08-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

And how expensive will that be? I'm gonna have to save up for the laptop to begin with, and I'm not gonna have a lot of money left over. I wouldn't be able to do that for a long while.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148404 - 500gig External that connects via USB - 69.99 with free shipping. You can find better deals at close out sales and just by watching for sales. Also add woot.com to your favorites bar and check it every day, as they have a different deal every day and you can find cheap gear there. But the deal is gone at the end of the day, so you gotta pay attention.