File transfer from XP pc to Vista laptop...

I am planning to transfer, word documents, mp3, video files, counter strike files pics, and mozilla firefox favorites from my XP pc to my vista laptop, I just want to know what is the easiest way to transfer them?

I was going to get a belkin transfer cable until the guy at best buy told me its pretty slow and to just use a usb strage device, so I just want to know what is the best way to transfer them.


Also will any of the files I mention have any compatibility issues with the vista?



thanks

 

Hi,

The easiest way is probably a USB pen drive although SD/CF is just as good as long as both computers have memory card readers.

There should be no compatibility problems that I can think of. I transferred everything you will, except for the games files, and had no problems.

LJK

 

If you have a router, that would be much more easier than loading it on and then off the USB

 

agreed--though technically, it is a switch function you are using, rather than a router (most routers have built in switches these days).

Put them both in the same workgroup, share a folder on the either of the drives (folder with files on XP, or folder where you want drives on the VISTA), then just move the files that way. No issues with compatibility other than if you are moving Outlook Express emails over to the new Windows MAIL...

If you are doing that, you need to import the outlook express "store" (the dbx files)...can't just put the dbx files in a folder somewhere

If you don't have a switch (router with switch), you can use a cat6 or Cat5 crossover cable

 

I agree with gerryf19, use a crossover cable (cat6 or cat5). The transfer rate will be pretty good, and it's cheaper than buying an external enclosure. There are pros and cons to both. You could use the USB drive later to store backups. I'd say don't buy the cable at bby if you can help it. Cables are marked up about 30x = way too expensive for what they provide.

Get the cable online if you can, www.newegg.com is where I recommend. I have nothing against bby (former Geek Squad member ), but I know what the overhead is on some of these things. It's pretty scary.

 

Thanks for the responses?

Is any generic cat 6 $4.99 cable just as good as a name brand cable?

As for the router my router is lynksys BEFSR41 not sure if that has the switch your talking about. I dont have any local network setup so I would have to do that first if I would want to tranfer my files.

gerryf19, I also will be transferring outlook express files...

 

The BEFSR41 is a router with a 10/100 4-port switch integrated. You did not mention the two PC models.

Let's see if I can do this simply:

Odds are, your older machine does NOT have a gigabit ethernet port, so the max speed on that machine is probably 100 mbps.

So, you don't need a cat6 cable. A simple cat5 cable (basically, any network cable you have laying around)

Your old machine is hooked up to the router in one of the switch ports (the WAN port is hooked up to your cable/dsl modem)

You can hook your new machine onto a second port on the back of the router (another switch port)

You now have a small computer network with speeds capable of up to 100mbps

You didn't mention what OS is on the old computer, Home or PRo

Right click the folder
c:\documents and settings\{user profile name}
Choose SHARE
(the exact appearance of this box differs depending on if you have Home and Pro or simple file sharing on or off.
You can leave the default name as is.

Before you go to next computer, do a quick check--right click MY COMPUTER, choose PROPERTIES, go to COMPUTER NAME tab and note the WORKGROUP name

Go to second computer, plug it into other port using simple cat5 cable.

....brb, need to load a vista machine.....

 

Couldn't remember what it looked like off the top of my head

You need to go to Control Panel > SYSTEM AND MAINTENACE > SYSTEM > ADVANCED SYSTEM SETTINGS

Once there, change the WORKGROUP name to match your old laptop

Reboot

Now you cna go to NETWORK, and you should see your old computer. Double click it and you should see a folder with your share name. Double click that and navigate to where your documents, music and pictures are and simply drag them over

As for mail, on vista, look for a folder called
C:\Documents and Settings\{user prifiule name}\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{long ugly alpha number name}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Drag that folder over to your VISTA desktop

Now start MAIL
Now File > IMport > messages
choose Microsoft Outlook express
Next
import from OE6 store identity
Browse to desktop and choose the

Outlook Express folder on your desktop and click next.

Do the same for the address book

 

Thanks for that detailed description. I have a windows XP home edition and my router is actually the BEFSR81(I forgot I upgraded) my pc(the pc I will transfer files from) is not directly connected to the router it is connected through cat in another room, although when I get my laptop (lol it still hasnt shipped) I can connect it directly to the back of the router.

I will also have to do this for another pc as we will be reorganizing pc's in my house so once I get my laptop, I will have to transfer files from another pc to my pc, lol.

 

connected through cat in another room...?

I don't follow you, but that is what I mean


router/switch--Computer
|
|
computer

that is all you need