What's the best way to transfer data from one hard drive to another?

Hello. Just wondering, what's the best way to transfer data from one laptop to another? Hopefully there is some cheap way to do this, as I don't have a lot of money to spend at the moment. I have about 50 gigs of data one on laptop, 30 gigs on a second laptop, and I'd like to transfer all of that onto a 3rd laptop. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

Witchcraft!

I am just kidding, I am here to help not have fun at your expense.

OK is the HDD you want to transfer from a throw away or might you want to use it? If you might want to do you could buy an enclosure for less than $20. You would then have an external drive for storage or backup.

Or you could buy a USB stick of 16GB or larger for a few dollars. The smaller the cheaper just means more seperate transfers. Plus you end up with a USB stick for whatever.

 

Thanks. I'll pick up a USB stick. I guess a 16 or 32GB stick would be enough.

 

If money is issue 16GB saves and I think also useful. 3 transfers. 8GB 6 transfers, all about money. 32/64/128 all cool but cost gets insane at some point.

 

Personally , I would get some kind of SATA to USB 3.0 adapter. A cheap( not that much cheaper than a adapter) USB 2.0 stick will take hours.

Or since you are on NBR, I believe you have a internet/router? just get 2 Ethernet cable(or wifi, which is bit slower) and hook them to the router.

 

How does the ethernet method work? I have a router and I could hook all 3 laptops to it if need be. Can you go into more detail about that method? Thanks.

 

In short(Assume win7)
Make sure all pick home/work when connected.
Right click the folder-> properties -> sharing tab-> advanced sharing -> permissions -> everyone +full control.
On other computer(probably your 3rd) -> go to network(in the explorer) -> open the other computer name'd thingy(.....) -> you should see the shared folder.

To cancel the sharing folder, uncheck the box in advanced sharing.

It is the same if they are connected via wireless, the speed would be slower unless you upgraded equipment in recent years.

In long incase you get into trouble.
What's the Best Way to Share Files with a Nearby Computer?

 

Thanks! Very much appreciated. I will hook all 3 laptops up to my router and transfer files that way.

 

If you network all three laptops together, then you can take advantage of a special transfer process.

 

Using a external adapter is how I do it. Basically an enclosure that is not enclosed and works with all HDD types (IDE, SATA, 2.5" 3.5") was like $12.00 and so worth it.

 

Why $20? gold plated?
Black USB 2 0 SATA 2 5" HD HDD Hard Disk Drive Enclosure External Case | eBay

 

USB sticks have varying "real-life" speeds, do read the reviews. Some are excruciatingly slow.

 

Also, in my experience, gold plated means absolutely nothing. The proclaimed pros of gold plated USB connectors is to prevent corrosion and - due to better conductivity of gold - faster transfer speeds.

Even if the latter is true from a technical standpoint, I have yet to witness laudable real world gains from gold plated connectors in data transfer speeds, and the corrosion has never been an issue in either case.