logo
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
I just picked up a new computer today. I've got it up & running, but haven't transferred any files over yet. I have been trying to transfer my files & pictures to a CD or DVD but my old computer is on its last legs and it hangs up in the process - so I'll have to try to make a direct transfer. The problem is that I'm not sure how to do that. Would a direct connection through USB ports do the transfer or should I use more of a cable connection? Do I have to make them a network for the computers to recognize each other? I'm not sure how to do that either, although many years ago, I had 2 computers on a network - I just can't remember how I did that. Any hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Mavis
Sponsored Post Advertisement
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
We do everything through a network here at our house so for us we'd simply put the new computer onto the network and everything would see each other.

For you, go out and buy a crossover network cable. It's a cable with the regular network plugs on either end but the cables "switch sides" in the middle. Then they can talk with each other.

You can't do that with USB cables, those aren't meant for that.


Lisa Shea, Low Carb and Video Games Editor
Low Carb Forum
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 468
BellaOnline Editor
Gecko
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Gecko
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 468
If the old computer has an USB port you can also transfer the files to a USB thumb drive or external hard drive and the copy to new machine. Best part is you get a backup of your files at the same time!

You can get a USB thumb drive at any office supply store for a reasonable price - I just got a 4GB for about $30.


Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
Originally Posted By: Lisa Low Carb Ed
We do everything through a network here at our house so for us we'd simply put the new computer onto the network and everything would see each other.

For you, go out and buy a crossover network cable. It's a cable with the regular network plugs on either end but the cables "switch sides" in the middle. Then they can talk with each other.

You can't do that with USB cables, those aren't meant for that.


Thanks Lisa. I was pretty sure I had one of these cables here because I did this many years ago, and I just finally found it. I think I connected it to the network then becaus my daughter and I were already connected, but now there is only one person and one compter (well 2 now - LOL) in the house.

It was when you started reminding us all to back up our computers that I first tried and my computer froze every time I tried, so I really hope I can move things over to the new one.


Mavis
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
Thanks Allison. I think I'll try the cable method first since I've now found a cable. Hopefully that will work because I have tons of stuff to transfer and I'd need several of those little thumb drives. The biggest chunk of what I have to move is pictures and I take a LOT of pictures. The DVD I tried to use was 8GB and that would have only taken about 1/2 the pictures if it had worked. After I get things moved over, I'll put them on the DVD from the new computer. smile


Mavis
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,189
BellaOnline Editor
Chimpanzee
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Chimpanzee
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,189
My hubby (the computer person here) said if you are really worried about your computer crashing in the middle try this;

Take the hard dive out of your old computer and out it into an external USB hard drive case and plug it into the new computer - then it works just like an extrenal hard drive and you can copy over to your new hard drive.

He's had to do this when recovering info from frying computers that people REALLY needed.


Michelle Taylor
Marriage Editor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
That sounds kind of complicated to me Michelle - but it sounds like it would work great.


Mavis
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
Let us know how the cable works! We can talk you through other options if you need to.

And definitely, back up!! It is so important to back up regularly. I am sure every one of us here has horror stories about losing important data!


Lisa Shea, Low Carb and Video Games Editor
Low Carb Forum
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
The cable didn't work. I guess it was more of a network cable, since that was how I transferred the files last time. I went out to buy the "easy transfer cable" that Vista wanted to use, but the guy at Best Buy suggested the 4GB flash drive that Allison mentioned. It was $19.99 compared to the $59.99 that the cable was and he said that I would probably only use the cable once because the next computer might need something else - LOL.

So - I got the flash drive & it is working fine. I've got all my pictures transferred, all my articles and other documents. I've got a few other things I want to try to transfer too, and then I will backup everyting from the new computer.

I've never used a flash drive before, but it is certainly easy to use. smile


Mavis
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
That's great to hear! Flash drives are always useful smile


Lisa Shea, Low Carb and Video Games Editor
Low Carb Forum
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
It would be nice if I could just sit down & do this all at once - but life keeps getting in the way smile

Anyway, I've now attempted to copy all my pictures onto a DVD, but keep getting error messages. There are 2 methods installed on my computer
- Power2Go tells me "No burner is currently available or you don't have rights to access the burner" and
- Windows DVD Maker tells me "A DVD burner was not found. Make sure a DVD burner is connected and installed, and then try again."

According to the tag on the side of the computer, as well as the computer box, I have a DVD burner! Maybe I should have paid to have them come out to set this computer up for me. Any suggestions to get the computer to recognize the DVD burner???


Mavis
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
The DVD unit should have symbols on the front of it, near where you insert a disc. What do those symbols say? And I assume it works if you put a DVD into it - that the computer sees that DVD?


Lisa Shea, Low Carb and Video Games Editor
Low Carb Forum
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
On the side of the computer (where it tells me where everything is), it points to the tray & says "optical media drive bay"

The actual tray says "compact disc rewritable ultra speed" in one place and DVD multi recorder RDL" in another place and "RW DVD+R DL" in another place.

I just phoned the store where I bought it & told them the error messages & they said to bring it in & exchange it. This was the last one except for the floor model that they had though and since I now have everything on this computer, I really hate to take everything out & have to start over again. I told them that I would bring it back tomorrow after work for them to look at though.


Mavis
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Offline
BellaOnline Editor
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,934
Likes: 4
OK so the drive is actually a drive that should be able to write. Can it read? If you put a real DVD into it, does it play? Maybe a cable is just loose on it, if it's not working at all.


Lisa Shea, Low Carb and Video Games Editor
Low Carb Forum
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
I installed some programs with it but those were on CDs.
I just put in a movie DVD though and nothing happened.

It would be nice if it is just a loose cable and they can fix it for me right away tomorrow.



Mavis
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
M
Mavis Offline OP
Koala
OP Offline
Koala
M
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,031
Apparently the computer not recogizing the burner is a known issue with this computer. They kept it and should have a new burner installed by the weekend. So - until then I am limping along on the old computer. I really miss the speed of the new one.


Mavis
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Allison_PCAdvice 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Brand New Posts
Make It Sew Easier
by Cheryl - Sewing Editor - 03/27/24 04:34 PM
2024 - on this day in the past ...
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/27/24 01:31 PM
Planner Template Kit - Weekly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:39 PM
Planner Template Kit - Yearly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:37 PM
How to Use Digital Planner Template Kit
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:36 PM
Review - 20 Illustrator Color tips Helen Bradley
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:32 PM
March Equinox to June Solstice
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/26/24 12:27 PM
Hobotrader unleashes never seen opportunity with i
by Jamal molla - 03/26/24 11:55 AM
Psalm for the day
by Angie - 03/25/24 09:05 AM
Genealogy, Sort of
by Angie - 03/24/24 05:39 PM
Sponsor
Safety
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
Privacy
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2022 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5