Best way to get files from Desktop to Laptop
 

Moving from a desktop to a new laptop, can I just connect the two together and drag the files over?

What is the best way, trying to get JPG, Excel, Word, and PST files over.

Michael

Michael,

Connect the two machines together assuming both have network cards with a crossover cable, make sure you have a shared folder on the computer you are transferring to and then just drag and drop so to speak. It's actually alot easier than it sounds. Let me know if you have any problems or need more help.

Chris,

When I connect the two with a cable, I don't see a connection between the two, is there something I need to turn on?

Michael

Don't you have to have the drivers for the cards installed, and then you should be able to ask one machine to look for the other one.

My wireless cards in my laptop are supposed to be able to do this as well, or between any wireless equipped laptop and the ethernet connected Mac or with the wireless equipped desktop PC. Haven't tried it yet.

What OS are you running on the two machines?

I assumed both machines are running Win XP. Once connected, crossover cable, make sure that both machines have the same workgroup set-up: i.e. WORKGROUP. To change/check this, right click on My Computer, Click Properties, Click Computer Name, and one of the options will be Workgroup. If they are the same, you should be able to see the respective machines from each of the computers under view Workgroup Computers from My Network Places menu.

Are you using a crossover cable? And are both network lights blinking as connected (depending on network cards of course.)

If you have a Mac, hold "t" on start-up and your machine will boot up as a firewire drive. Plug it in to your other machine with a Firewire cable and you're set.

If you have XP and both have broadband or dsl internet connection, you can network them and put the files you want to move in the shared directory.

Much easier to just copy the files to, and then from a jump drive. Here is a nice one for $30.00. And they are always good to have for just general sharing of files too.

The jump drive is nice but then so is a USB hard drive. I got mine on sale for $75 or so for a 250 gig unit and its my backup for many things.

Also not sure that everyone is speaking the same language here on cables. A network cable is one that is used to connect a computer to a hub or switch, but not directly from one computer to another.

A "crossover" network cable is one that is designed to connect two computers directly to each other, with nothing inbetween. It will be labeled as a "crossover" cable, while a normal cable normally is not labeled. Using a standard network cable will not work without a hub or switch inbetween.

Joe, the USB hard drive is another great option. I am an IT consultant and have both a Jump Drive and USB drive. I carry the Jump Drive every day but seldom use the full hard drive.

As for connecting with a crossover cable, IMHO that is a real pain. First you have to know how to set up the IP addresses and then revert to DHCP when you are finished. A hard drive or jump drive will get the job done in a lot less time and with a lot less hassle.

Another vote for the USB memory stick.

If you have a CD or dvd burner, a great reason for making backups to archive.

Well, I must concur that the USB memory stick by far exceeds the crossover cable for ease of use. However, I move gigabytes of recorded video so crossover cable is my method of choice. Burners are also a viable option for you.

With XP, you don't need a dhcp server.. dont't forget that 169.whatever address XP assigns when dhcp times out...

a 100mb switch and a few medium (10') and one long (50') cat5 cables would do nicely, should be able to get for under $75

I am trying to get my contacts over from outlook, but the PST file says it is locked down, and can't be moved.

I will try the USB Memory stick for the rest.

THanks