windows 7 file and setings transfer to winxp

Hi to everyone

I have a Inspiron E1705 with windows 7 install and inspiron E1705 with winxp pro I dean using the windows 7 for a will and I don't like it because the graphics are horrible I guess inspiron E1705 and windows 7 are not comparable. so the question is? can I transfer the files and settings to my other inspiron running winxp pro?

thanks.... mike

 

So, you have two Inspiron E1705s? Do you network them together? Do you have some folders designated as Shared Folders? I transfer files back and forth like that. Some settings won't be transferable, of course - you prefer screen-colors on the XP so you don't want Win7's themes and styles to overwrite XP's.

Documents - word processing, letters, spreadsheets, graphics - those are easily transferred.

If you don't have two separate computers, you can save files to a USB memory stick or burn a CD-DVD with those files. Not a bad backup either...

Do you know which files you want to save or transfer? Do you know where those are stored in folders?

 

Thanks I don't network them together I try that ones and dint have much success I like to thou, if you are willing to show me I am up for it:major.

What actually like to do is copy the important staff to the other laptop which BTW is pretty match the same as far as files and programs exert for the OS
I know how to sync the files with my external HD but there other things like program settings and so forth.

 

Programs' settings can be tricky because they can have unique settings-files stored in different locations - some observe the Documents & Settings folder structure, some use folders named Common Files, some store their settings inside their own Program Files folders.

It's an adventure discovering those and, since you might be prefer Older Versions to Newer Ones, there are a lot of specifics you'll need to address - which programs, how comfortable you are dealing with the file manager (Windows Explorer), and what kind of networking abilities are available to you (routers, switches, wireless, etc.)

 

You ask "and what kind of networking abilities are available to you"

Non two separate laptops for now

 

inventor1949...

Wouldn't it be simpler to image your XP OS and then use the image to wipe out the 7 installation? Unless I am missing something, this seems like it would be an option for you. It's easy to do as long as the chipsets are the same on the motherboards of the two PCs and as long as the graphics processing is handled in the same way (both motherboard graphics or identical PCIe graphics cards), which I should think they are in both cases, the PCs being the exact same model.

You would need a USB (or other external storage device) hard drive large enough to contain your XP installation and then also large enough to contain any files on the Windows 7 machine you want to keep.

Make the XP image with an imaging program (there are good free ones) and put it on the external drive. Then install the imaging program on the 7 PC and copy the files you want to save on the W7 PC over to external drive. Make the boot disk for the imaging program using a burner. Use the boot disk for the imaging program you have made to restore the image on the W7 PC and overwrite the 7 installation. Then just move the files you had on the W7 PC over to the newly XP imaged drive.

Sounds complicated, but it's really quite simple. As long as the chipset and graphics are identical on the two machines, I don't think you would have any problems with this if you would like to do it. Perphaps someone will come along who can verify this...

 

That I know how to do and I done it for this unit but I wana go the other way W7 files and settings in to Xp

 

Atl means "Why don't you just copy (image/clone) the well-liked XP Inspiron's hard drive onto the unliked unwanted Win7 hard drive?"

As long as both computers are identical, just make an Image or Clone of the XP's hard drive? If you've got files on the Win7 unit that you need, copy those off, then clone the XP then copy the Win7 data files back?

(Uh, well, there's a license number legality issue, for one, but as long as they're never networked together - and even then - sure, why not? I mean, there's always the "change license number after Install" opportunity...)

 

"Atl means "Why don't you just copy (image/clone) the well-liked XP Inspiron's hard drive onto the unliked unwanted Win7 hard drive?"

Because I am using the W7 now the XP is not up to date

"As long as both computers are identical, just make an Image or Clone of the XP's hard drive? If you've got files on the Win7 unit that you need, copy those off, then clone the XP then copy the Win7 data files back?"

With this procedure how do I update the App Data and the Local

 

INV, I think I need to be argumentative here. You say you don't like Win7 (because of screen colors - is that it?) but you like WinXP.

Is that a correct summation?

But that WinXP isn't "up to date" and I'm thinking, "So? UPDATE IT! That seems REALLY SIMPLE."

Isn't that a valid argument?

Then, I am wondering, "Is updating WinXP such a huge negative, therefore? That you don't like WinXP either?"

I don't get it. I don't understand.

Now, assuming I've understood your goals - you want to have two WinXP machines (is that correct?) then it seems "updating XP" is a MUST. You can update one, clone it's hard-drive to the other identical machine, and whoosh - you've got two identical machines.

There is another issue - you're not going to be able to use settings from a newer Operating System (and, likely, all of those newer program versions) on a OLD operating system. The old Windows and all the old programs couldn't predict what New Settings would be like in 10 years. So, 'saving settings and User profiles" is probably a "no".

Saving the data files - letters to mom, your memoirs, photos, music - THOSE can be saved, yes.

But all the settings? Probably not. And if they are, each new version of a program is going to have different settings, different files - all so many variables and possibilities that it'd be difficult to predict success or failure.

 

Maybe I should attack this issue from another standpoint. You wrote that you didn't like the on-screen colors of Win7 but liked them on WinXP.

I can exactly duplicate my WinXP screen-objects on Win7 because Microsoft allows that. (They do not in Win8.)

On my Win7 desktop, I can right-click and choose PERSONALIZE.

At the bottom of this screen, there is a WINDOWS COLOR choice, which I can click on, and then I see this WINDOWS COLOR AND APPEARANCE:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc/images/738/c01891602.gif

There's a list-box called ITEM below, and there is a list of every Screen Object and I can change their colors, fonts, sizes, etc. Just like I could in Win98, Win2000 and WinXP.

Maybe this will let you like Win7's color options? If you're using Themes, well, you can modify those using this palette of choices, too. Or maybe make your own.

 

Thanks for the reply and for taking the time too

Maybe I should have ask the question this way

I like to downgrade to XP from W7 what other files I need to back up aside from my documents and yes all my other program back ups are in my documents.

 

This is what said, I don't like it because the graphics are horrible I guess inspiron E1705 and windows 7 are not comparable

 

Here's the Dell Driver Support page for the Inspiron 1705. There are only XP and Vista drivers provided, and quite a host of them. This tells me that this collection of hardware may not be well-served by that move up to Win7. Maybe Vista was "as good as it gets".

I did not see ANY SATA DRIVERS on this page for WinXP, so I'm hoping this model of Inspiron still uses IDE hard drives.

All you have to do is back up your files to USB memory sticks or CDs, DVDs, and go from there.

 

I am not moving up you missed the question

 

YOU missed the point.

 

Inventor, I'm not trying to be argumentative here - I'm being cautious.

I do not think you understand what I mean, or that you don't understand the issues I'm discussing.

These can be helpful issues BUT if there's a mistaken understanding, then this can create a much worse situation than you have now.

So, I'm being cautious. If you don't understand the importance of "No SATA Driver" or "IDE Drive", then this is a huge issue. I don't think you understand the "Cloning Issue" either, and this is a concern because this requires experience that can't always be found on just a Forum.

I'm being cautious. That's all. If this is a native-language issue, I'm willing to help in anyway.