massive file transfer

C

charliexboi

banned
I have about 3000 music files on my old computer's hard drive. I would like to know if there is a way to transfer all of these files into my new computer. A fast method would be nice.
 
Use dvdrw - easiest for most people.
Network pcs with RJ-45 ethernet crossover cable (have to set up network).
Take hard drive from old pc and temporarily put in new pc, transfer files (some tech knowledge required).

Starman*
 
or if you have an external hard drive, you can just put all the music files in it and then transfer them to your new pc
 
Prolly the fastest method would be to temporarily put your old hard drive in with the new hdd and do a direct move. Least intrusive and easiest method would be just to use an external HDD (pray the comps support USB 2.0 or youll be waiting a while). Networking them is a logical option if you have the components available or even better if they are already in place. Burning to DVDs is a solution but I wouldnt waste DVDs on that unless you have plenty to waste. ~3000 MP3s at 5MB per MP3 on avg would take about 3 or 4 DVDs...also burning and copying from DVD is time consuming.
 
gamerman4 said:
Prolly the fastest method would be to temporarily put your old hard drive in with the new hdd and do a direct move. Least intrusive and easiest method would be just to use an external HDD (pray the comps support USB 2.0 or youll be waiting a while). Networking them is a logical option if you have the components available or even better if they are already in place. Burning to DVDs is a solution but I wouldnt waste DVDs on that unless you have plenty to waste. ~3000 MP3s at 5MB per MP3 on avg would take about 3 or 4 DVDs...also burning and copying from DVD is time consuming.
Click to expand...

DVD rewritables were made for "drag and drop" onto the removable media there through the optical drive. Slaving an old drive in a new case has always worked well here. You simple open two windows with the Windows Explorer and drag the folder containing the files you want from one window to the other. Once started the process continues until complete.

The drawback with the rewritable dvds is that you have to have the old drive connected to the new case already. You can use an external usb adapter for transfer as one means. But it often easier to simply slave the drive to the host or a drive on the secondary cable. I move video files as large as 13gb regularly between drives with no hassles.
 
yeah, just move the hdd. it's the easiest in my book... and you would also save alot of time... (most hdd's transfer at 3gb/sec.)
 
I've done an internal hard drive transfer before, can't imagine anything being faster. It took about half an hour roughly to transfer everything I had (don't remember how many gb's).
 
The one note I could add here is to verify the integrity of at least some of the files moved before removing the slaved drive. If you need to recopy anything again you still have ready access. When done moving the amount of files to the intended drive be sure to defrag the drive. Anytime there are a large number of files moved around or programs installed and removed a drive can easily become fragmented slowing read access time down.
 
You will need a length of network cable (UTP-Cat5), preferably a factory assembled straight through cable that comfortably reaches each computer. Be careful and measure accurately you would hate to find out that following the baseboard of the wall you end up two feet short. On the other hand you don't want to use a fifty foot cable to connect two computers ten feet apart. Ethernet does not like coiled up excess cable. Consider making the cable with enough slack to allow servicing the computer without needing to unplug the cable.
The hardest part for most people will most likely be finding the RJ45 cable connectors. Check with your local computer stores that do network installations, most techs will give you a couple if you ask. Otherwise you will have to buy a five or ten pack. http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/dyi_crossover.htm
 
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