Solved Advice on transfering files, etc from a Win XP to Win 7 Pro

[FDM]

Learning to use my new Win 7 Pro with an i7 Intel processor. My old XP SP3 pc is dying and want to transfer files, settings, photos, documents, etc.

My pc is a Dell which comes loaded with Dell's Easy Transfer app. Windows 7 also has a transfer app.
Dell sells a transfer cable for $30 and Walmart sells a Belkin Win 7 transfer cable for $17 ( not sure how it compares with the Dell cable) or if it will function satisfactorily.

Also not sure if it is possible to transfer files, settings, email files, settings etc created with a 34 bit pc to a 64 bit machine.

Another possible issue is a statement I read with the Windows Easy Transfer -it mentions a need for the Win operating system CD. Unsure what that means - I never received the Win XP CD with my pc purchase.

Would like to hear from any members that have been through the process and learn from their experiences. And any suggestions or advice would be appreciated,

Frank

 

[computergeekguy]

For files photos and documents i would just network to the computer and copy them. Win 7 should network to xp just fine.

If you only have a few files you should be able to use a flash drive to transfer everything you want, If you have thousands of files that are hundreds of gb's big than we are back to the networking option.

My old XP SP3 pc is dying

Umm what does that mean? Hard drive is failing? Hardware is failing? Xp needs a heavy tune up?

Thanks

 

[FDM]

Thanks for the response and suggestion computergeekguy. Old Win xp is 9 years old and makes clicking/knocking sounds and is slow to open files - just sits with the hour glass for long periods and then is erratic. Wanted to decommission the XP for internet useage anyway with the end of MS support and critical updates after April.

Not too saavy with networking so may go with a transfer cable.

 

[computergeekguy]

Ok that is fine. What ever you feel most comfortable with.

After you get the files off with transfer cable you might delete as much stuff as possible and do some pc tune up's (like defrag) It would probably improve performance a lot for internet browsing.

If you wanted to get really aggressive you could re install xp (if you have the xp disk) and that would probobly speed you up the most as you get rid of all corrupted files and bloatware that is slowing you comp down on the old install.
But as you are just planing to retire the old xp you might not want to go that far.

If you need any more help let me know

 

[andrew129260]

See here:

Download Windows Easy Transfer for transferring from Windows XP (32 bit) to Windows 7 from Official Microsoft Download Center

A guide on how to do it:

Utility Spotlight: Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7

Another guide:

Migrate XP to Windows 7 with Easy Transfer and a USB Drive

 

[whs]

I would not use any fancy programs or methods. You never know what they do. A simple large USB stick and you copy/paste the files to and from. Then you know where they are and what you have done.

 

[dperecky]

I have a "usb-big end" to "usb-big end" cable I bought specially for file transfers. There is also an old freeware transfer program that it works with... But it was not that reliable. It would hang a lot. So I would have to restart it... Where did it leave off at.. Where do I restart at..? It was more trouble than it was worth. Hopefully if you're doing a simple cable transfer, you have a better solution.

If you do decide to do the network route, consider SyncBack. I used it for years. It's a very reliable program.

SyncBack is an easy-to use, free backup program. I like it because in the copy/delete tab, there is an option to 'verify the copy'. So you have a double-check.

SyncBack used to be free. Now SyncBackSE is free for 30 days only. Maybe you can get the older version somewhere- SyncBack (www.download.com is one reliable source).

In any case, it's not expensive.

Site: SyncBackSE easy backup software - the ideal simple backup software

Good luck.
---------------------------------------------------------------
disclaimer- not associated or have any stakes in 2BrightSparks- authors of SyncBack.

 

[gregrocker]

Why make this unnecessarily hard? Just put in a flash stick or other storage media, drag your active User folders into which you've sorted all of your files, then open each on the new PC, from Organize tab Select All, drag to the corresponding folder under your User account name.

If this is Dell preinstalled Win7 I would at the minimum http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html and consider doing a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164.

 

[dperecky]

Why make this unnecessarily hard? .....

If a user has relatively few files, then a simple copy/paste would suffice. There probably will not be any problems.

The problem is if there is a lot of data, and the copy/paste kinda works, but doesn't copy everything. When you have 50GB of files, it's a needle in the haystack to try to find the problem.

Currently, my Nts directory is 124GB, my Util directory (which includes backups of XP Mode Virt Machines) is 40GB. So for me, using a dedicated backup program that verifies as it copies is the easier solution.

 

[whs]

Then use this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/516-context-menu-add-copy-folder-move-folder.html

 

[computergeekguy]

Wow i leave for 2 seconds and 7 forums explodes :shock:

Usb flash stick is a good option for small amounts of files. Obviously you wouldn't try that on a full 1tb hard drive.

Networking: A good option for people who know how to do so. No size limit.

I have never used a transfer cable so i don't know enough to comment.

Bottom line everyone has there preferred method of getting the job done and i think FDM has chosen his.