Transferring data from one PC to another

Is there a simple, free way to transfer about 60gb of data from my new computer to an older one? I have a USB cable and ethernet cable but the computers don't recognize each other and I don't have any software or knowledge that could really help me here. I would just take out the drive but the way tahty old Hp is designed it would mean taking out the mobo so i could get to screws hiddewn behind the drive cage, that is just not worth it. I am going to do a clean vista install and I need to backup as much as possible.

 

well, it gives me the following options, transfer by home network(I set it up, I can see the other computer but the wizard doesn't)
connect a serial cable(Don't have a serial cable, I have USB, but it wont let me use that)
EDIT:my new computer doesn't even have a serial port WTF.

 

Are you sure you can't remove the hard drive without first pulling out the motherboard? Maybe the hard drive is on quick release clips and will slide right out of the cage? Hard to imagine they'd design a computer in such a fashion that you can't remove the HD without taking out the entire motherboard, then again stranger thinks have been designed.

 

So can you recognize your computers through the network or not?

I suppose it's easier to solve this problem and use Ethernet to transfer files. You may do it manually, not only via windows wizard.

So, if you still have problems with Network, lets work:

First of all, have you set the local home network. If not, go to the Network connections - set home network - go through the setup wizard steps.x

When the network is created, select View Workgroup Computers. There you have to see the other computer (at least smth like Printers and Faxes). Then you need to create a folder on the destination drive (where you want to copy files). This folder has to be located on the partition with the enough space available to store your data. You also need to uncheck "use simple folder sharing option" in Control Panel - Folder Options. Then right-click this folder - properties - Sharing tab - Share this folder - permissions - tick the full access. Then go to the security tab and add user guest.
then you will be able to see this folder on the older computer from your new computer. Then just copy all the critical data from your new computer to the folder on the older one.

However, if your 60Gb data is separated from system partition and is located on another partition, it may be easier to use any migrating software (like Acronis - True Image or Disk Director if you have already got them) and transfer the partition in the whole. However this soft isn't free, so you may also try the way I've described above.

 

well, the hard drive has 2 screws on one side, removing one of them requires taking the front panel off, so i did that, but it wouldn't move, I felt 2 screw in the same positions behind the drive cage... I dunno if I can remove the drive cage without unscrewing anything or not.... It is kind of a pain workign with that Hp case, it is so small and everything seems to be built so it's a huge pain in the ass to get anything out... but for now I will try what gena said to do and let you know how that went, if I caqn't do it that way I will try to take out that drive cage.

 

"well, the hard drive has 2 screws on one side, removing one of them requires taking the front panel off..."

That sounds like the drives and drive cage are mounted sideways -- I mean instead of being oriented in the same direction as your floppy or CD/DVD drives the hard drives (and cage they're mounted in) are "crosswise" 90 degrees relative to your removable media drives in that machine? Or am I misunderstanding what you're saying?

How old is the HP machine your old drive is in? I'm not familiar with HP hardware, but Compaq (now part of HP) and Dell, for that matter, and quite a few other computer companies attach large plastic clips to hard drives to make assembly and warranty service faster. Especially given how difficult it is to gain access to the screws I can't help but wonder if you're not overlooking some easier way to proceed. Are you sure that they're aren't large plastic clips that extend out along either side at the back of the drive (they're green in a Compaq computer I own) and can be pressed or pulled to release the drive without having to fiddle with any screws? (Except that you will likely need to remove the plastic clips/rails before you try to put the drive into another computer to copy your data to another drive -- but that's quite easy to do once you've removed the drive from the cage.)

I guess your HP setup isn't anything like what I'm talking about though? I understand what you mean about the case seemingly being designed to make it difficult to work in -- manufacturers' cases often seem that way to me too. But I think there surely must be some easy way to pull that drive out as needing to replace a hard drive must be one of the most common warranty maintenance tasks for any computer manufacturer.

Good luck, however you proceed.

 

One other thought -- you may be able to find some sort of device that you can use to hook up your serial port on the old machine to a USB port on the new one -- a sort of serial to USB port converter cable. Seems to me I've seen something like that either in a catalog or at an online computer retailer. You might try checking at NewEgg or Tiger Direct for one. No idea what they'd cost, but might save you a lot of hassles if you can find one and get the network thing working.

 

i am surprised that in none of the replies was it suggested that there are a number of software packages out there that use a USB connection to transfer data from one PC to another? I am not familiar with the ones which are out there but that is definately an option I would think?

Easy PC Transfer and Transfer My PC are a couple that I can see doin a GOOGLE Search.

Bo Bo Bolinski