Transfer info from pc to laptop

[sparklyscotty]

Hi guys,
Techy question.. I am buying a new Dell laptop, and need to know if I should buy the PC transfer software/ cable thingy?
The main thing that I am concerned about is my emails (everything in Outlook). Everything else on it is just a bunch of files that I can burn to disk. Like most people I have loads of things on there that I don't need, and would hate to have that trash transfered over.
Is it worth paying the 30 quid for this software?
-Angel-

 

[Astaroth]

You can burn your emails to disk too by backing up into a pst file (there was a post on this earlier I think)

 

[uksbc]

yes, i would just transfer to a .pst file

for regularly moving files between pc's then i just either

1 - use a usb cable to connect the two together

or

2 - i have a wi-fi router at home which means i can get access to my desktop machine even when i am out in the garden on the latpop

(did exaggerate a bit there...i dont have a garden :cry: )

 

[sparklyscotty]

for regularly moving files between pc's then i just either

1 - use a usb cable to connect the two together

You can transfer files that easily???

-Angel-

 

[uksbc]

yes, i would like to actually start synchronising laptop and desktop but for now all i do is transfer all the files from my laptop to the desktop at the end of every day
for my home machines this is enough for now. i do plan to get someone in who is good with networks to make the process simpler though. just not got round to it yet :cry:

 

[Ravenfire]

Yes I did that with mine and I also do regular back ups now of my Microsoft Outlook in case my computer/laptop crashes!

 

[Digital Paint]

Two very easy ways of connecting machines are 1:- A crossover cable (basically a network cable but with the pins in such a way that you can go from machine to machine without using a hub).

2:- Got a usb - usb gadget from the Gadget Store for £10. It works a treat, has its own software as firmware in the device so no need for additional software, and it transfers data at very high speed. Costs about the same as a standard crossover cable from PC world . . .

By the way, if copying your outlook.pst files don't forget your address book. Also, the nickname cache is very useful. This is the file that lets you typw in the first bit of an email and it then completes it for you from the cache. Starting with a new nickname cache is a pain . . Find the file ending .NK2 and copy it to the same place on your new install.

 

[dcaccounting]

I am just in the process of upgrade machines. I was going to post this

From within outlook do you just export a file into this .pst format? What I actually want is just my contact list which I have connected to my inbox.

Regards

Dean

 

[Digital Paint]

To convert outlook, simply copy the existing .pst file and overwrite the new .pst file made by the new install. This will give you pretty much everything except for:-

Your mail account settings (export them seperately)
Your address book
Your Nickname cache - see my previous post on how to copy this.

Good Luck!

 

[Bernard]

Another option is to get an external hard drive for back-up purposes and sue that to transfer the files to the new machine.

Regards

Bernard

 

[MyNI]

I would invest in a £20 pendrive, just as easy to use as a floppy disk only they typically store 256mb (they come in smaller and much larger storage sizes) compared to the 1.44mb of a standard floppy disk. Just slots into your USB port. Great for transfering files from one computer to another and also invaluable if you want to bring large amounts of information with you when visiting clients but don't want to bring your laptop with you, just plug it into their own computer...they make you feel like a big kid aswell, so why not

 

[Rob Holmes]

Angel,

A little off topic but...

If you're getting a new machine I would recommend taking a 'Ghost' copy of the machine after it's set up exactly how you want it to be.

A 'ghost' copy of made using Norton Ghost and if your machine exer got corrupted yopu'd have a perfect copy of all the machines settings and software.

It's about $60 from Norton or a legitimate version from ebay will cost £20 - absolutely worth it's weight in gold!

Rob

 

[Subbynet]

Simple....

Use the Files & Settings transfer wizard. (In System Tools)

Transfer file to new laptop and repeat.