How can I transfer data - old computer to new?

S

Smudge

New Member
Hello:
This is my first post. I have an older Gateway desktop with a P2 processor. I think that the computer is about 7 years old. It has seen lots of use and served me well. It still works fairly good, but I have gotten my money out of it, and it is time to spend some money on a new desktop. I have 2GB of photos that I would need to transfer from the old computer to the new computer. The problem is that my CDRW drive on my old computer no longer works. What would be the best and cheapest way to transfer these photos from the old computer to the new one? Thank you!
 
1. Make a quick network and share the files
2. Pop the harddrive from old computer, pop it into the newcomputer and copy them :)
 
Praetor said:
1. Make a quick network and share the files
2. Pop the harddrive from old computer, pop it into the newcomputer and copy them :)
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Thanks for the reply. How do I:

1. make a quick network and share files
2. Take the HD from old computer and put into new computer? I am going from a Gateway to a Dell. Does this present a problem?

Thanks. Sorry if these are stupid questions, but I am not much of a computer expert. I guess that is why I have joined the forum. Thanks again!
 
Smudge said:
Thanks for the reply. How do I:

2. Take the HD from old computer and put into new computer? I am going from a Gateway to a Dell. Does this present a problem?
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To put the old hard drive in the new one, open up your gateway, unscrew and disconect the hard drive. Then open up the case on the dell, look on the front/back of the hard drive for the jumper configurations, then set it to slave. Once thats done, slide it into the slot next to your other hard drive, connect it, and then when you bott up your dell, you should see 2 hard drives, simply copy and paste the files between the hard drives.
 
Why is it that tons of people think there might be compatibility issues going from i.e. - a dell to a hp...or a hp to a compaq? This has got to be my #1 pet peeve with people & computers. When you're talking in terms of a pre-built computer you get at a retail store such as Best Buy...BRAND MEANS JACK in terms of compatibility.

True, different companies that make pre-built computers tend to favor certain component brands for certain components, but for the most part, they are all compatible. The compatibility issues might arise (and probably would) for certain components (not HD's) when you deal with pre-built computers that are years apart, regardless of major pre-built retail brand. Also, for obvious reasons such as ram pin counts and cpu - motherboard compatibilities, etc.

I'm guessing both your old comp motherboard and new comp motherboard support IDE hard drives. The only way your old HD will not be compatible with your new computer is if the motherboard in it only supports SATA HD's, which I highly doubt. Do they even make those?

I apologize for my little rant above, but do these people think that each major retail brand of pre-built computers actually makes each and every part in their computer and that they aren't compatible with each other?
 
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rahving said:
Why is it that tons of people think there might be compatibility issues going from i.e. - a dell to a hp...or a hp to a compaq? This has got to be my #1 pet peeve with people & computers. When you're talking in terms of a pre-built computer you get at a retail store such as Best Buy...BRAND MEANS JACK in terms of compatibility.

True, different companies that make pre-built computers tend to favor certain component brands for certain components, but for the most part, they are all compatible. The compatibility issues might arise (and probably would) for certain components (not HD's) when you deal with pre-built computers that are years apart, regardless of major pre-built retail brand.
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There is no reason to mock him, its not that stupid of a question. He just wants to make sure that there isnt any sort of compatibility issue.
 
geoff5093 said:
To put the old hard drive in the new one, open up your gateway, unscrew and disconect the hard drive. Then open up the case on the dell, look on the front/back of the hard drive for the jumper configurations, then set it to slave. Once thats done, slide it into the slot next to your other hard drive, connect it, and then when you bott up your dell, you should see 2 hard drives, simply copy and paste the files between the hard drives.
Click to expand...

If, by chance, I have a virus on my old computer that Norton is not detecting could this method cause the virus to enter my new machine?
 
Why is it that tons of people think there might be compatibility issues going from i.e. - a dell to a hp...or a hp to a compaq? This has got to be my #1 pet peeve with people & computers. When you're talking in terms of a pre-built computer you get at a retail store such as Best Buy...BRAND MEANS JACK in terms of compatibility.
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Because you cant take a HDD from a functional Dell, pop it into a HP and expect it to boot up.

If, by chance, I have a virus on my old computer that Norton is not detecting could this method cause the virus to enter my new machine?
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Yes
 
Smudge said:
If, by chance, I have a virus on my old computer that Norton is not detecting could this method cause the virus to enter my new machine?
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yes it could, but it's unlikely. Since there isnt anything actually running off that hard drive unless you execute a task. if you go in and copy and paste your documents, you should be all set (unless there are some viruses in your documents).
 
rahving said:
I wasn't mocking him. I just wish there was a way to get it through to the masses so I don't hear it as much.
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I too am new to this forum and I've been reading here to learn as much as I can. I'm glad that I can read these kinds of questions and get the answers. I belong to many different forums on several different subject matters and there is always someone who thinks that if the same questions gets asked more than once then it's a waste of time. BULL! That's the whole purpose of the forum. To help each and every person who has questions. If you have all the answers ...you wouldnt be here.
I'm a photographer and believe me if you think that a Canon brand flash will be compatible with a Nikon camera then you have a lot to learn. Its a very good question! If these parts are so compatible then why do I have to pay attention to make sure that my processor has to match up with my motherboard...and that I get the right type of ram (I'm learning ). There ARE compatibility questions and for us who are new...we dont know! So please...keep answering these questions....over and over.

Thanks
 
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