Moving data between pc's

silverfoxdude

Due to the breakdown of our other pc, we decided to use this one (the one i'm typing on now!) but even though it is newer and potentially more expensive than my OH's it is not so great on disk space. Something I'm quite peed off about as I asked some friends who were supposed to be 'up' on computers when I bought it if it was a good 'un, they said yes.

Can we move files - film files actually - from this pc to the one we are going to replace it with?

Or can we run these side-by-side with one monitor perhaps?
:beer:

intel

Um just have a look in the forums do a search there is a load of info.

Edit: Oh look at these search results http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.html?searchid=1967494

wagster_2

silverfoxdude wrote:

Due to the breakdown of our other pc, we decided to use this one (the one i'm typing on now!) but even though it is newer and potentially more expensive than my OH's it is not so great on disk space. Something I'm quite peed off about as I asked some friends who were supposed to be 'up' on computers when I bought it if it was a good 'un, they said yes.

Can we move files - film files actually - from this pc to the one we are going to replace it with?

Or can we run these side-by-side with one monitor perhaps?
:beer:

Why don't you take the hard drive out of the old pc and put it in the newer pc as a slave drive.
Transfer all the files you want to keep across to the newer drive, format the old drive then use it as you feel fit.

noddy1_2

Or if you don't want to tinker inside - just network the two together and transfer using the Windows XP file transfer utility? It's on the XP disc, if you have one. I think it's also in System tools near to defrag and disk clean-up etc.
I've just done it and it was easy - moves all your preferences, settings, favourites, cookies/passwords etc

cheers
Nod

mssjab

Could this be any use?

http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/shop/productprofile.asp?ProductGroupID=1667

wagster_2

Its all very well giving ideas by networking/linking the 2 comps together but i do not think that is feasible, it was said the old pc has broken down and assuming it has not be repaired therefore no way to power it up to a state where you can transfer between the 2 comps.

noddy1_2

Ah, good point - sorry, was speed-reading!

johnrp007

The old PC's nowt to do with it! OP mentions current PC (short of disk space) and new PC (not yet acquired).

Three methods occur to me, variations of two have already been mentioned...

1. Network the PC's. USB - USB already mentioned. Alternatively, use a crossover network cable. If you have broadband and want both PC's to have access then acquire a four port switch and set-up a network that way.

2. Use some sort of common media, large USB stick is a possibility or a USB drive.

3. Variation of 2. but use the hard drive in your old PC. Temporarily connect it to your new PC while you copy the files. Alternatively, buy a new hard drive (they're pretty reasonable now, £50 or less for 160GB), connect temporarily to your old PC, copy files to it, disconnect, connect to new PC, copy files again then install it permanently in your old PC. This should stop you being 'quite peed off' due to lack of space.

gizmos

silverfoxdude wrote:

Due to the breakdown of our other pc, we decided to use this one (the one i'm typing on now!) but even though it is newer and potentially more expensive than my OH's it is not so great on disk space. Something I'm quite peed off about as I asked some friends who were supposed to be 'up' on computers when I bought it if it was a good 'un, they said yes.

Can we move files - film files actually - from this pc to the one we are going to replace it with?

Or can we run these side-by-side with one monitor perhaps?
:beer:

You can move files from your "temporary PC" to your replacement one. And yes you could run them side by side using something called a KVM. It is basically a switch box that you plug one Keyboard, Video (Monitor) and Mouse into. Using the supplied cables connect it to your PCs.

Also you could link the two PCs using a crossover cable and they could talk to each other like that.

silverfoxdude

Hi
Sorry to have been vague, I'll try and clarify: The old pc crashed some weeks ago, so I wiped it, and reloaded windows onto it. I then put it in the loft and hoped that this pc would be better as it was newer.

We have USB on both and also some Ethernet cabling that I could network them up to, would this be of the principle of copying data across rather like when I plug the MP3 player in, drag and drop?

Thanks all, your very helpful

johnrp007

If you use Ethernet cabling, you'll have to set-up Windows Networking. XP has a wizard to help you, start->settings->control panel->system. Select 'Computer Name' tab and 'Network Id'.

Once you've got both PC's connected and in the same workgroup, you can share folders between them and map network drives, either using 'My Network Places' or Windows explorer.