Windows Easy Transfer is unable to continue???

[mmo]

In order to prepare my XP computer for an upgrade to Windows 7 I was trying to run Easy Transfer using a big external USB harddrive to store my files.

But after the last selection "This is my old computer" I am immediately getting an alertbox stating
----------------------
(X) Windows Easy Transfer is unable to continue. Please reboot the computer and try again.
----------------------

I just HAVE rebooted, so what is THAT BS supposed to mean??? Is there some way to get at least an indication WHY this beast is refusing to run?

Michael

 

[richc46]

Make sure that you are using the most current ver of easy tranfer and that it is for 7. I saved mine on a 2gig flash drive. Give that a try. You do not need a large HD to save, since programs are not transferred.

 

[mmo]

Make sure that you are using the most current ver of easy tranfer and that it is for 7.

I had downloaded the program from MS' website just minutes before I started it, so I assume that this IS the latest version. After my append I re-ran it logged in as actual "Administrator" (not just as a normal user that is part of "Administrators" group) and then it worked. Of course that's nowhere mentioned in the help or description...

I saved mine on a 2gig flash drive. Give that a try. You do not need a large HD to save, since programs are not transferred.

Alas, 2 GB won't do it in my case. Easy Transfer calculated a size of >138 GB and initially a time of >6 hours for the transfer. So I left it running over night. When I came back the next morning it was only about 1/4 done, the estimated time left showed now >9 hours(?!?) and looking closer the system had crashed such that I had to hard-reset it (i.e. power-off/-on).

I might give it another try again next night but it appears, that the "easy transfer" won't be that easy...

Michael

 

[richc46]

You probably do not need to save shared( folders)? That is the largestest use of storage space. I really believe if you save less it will work. If you have CD's with pics, no need to save pics.

Since I think that size is the problem, save some things on a finger drive or hd, separately. Such as pics, and documents. You do not need easy transfer for that, its best used for settings, mail, favorites, and cookies.

 

[BSkiLLs]

what about using like ghost or TrueImage ??

they have great features as well for this.

Found a free one that looks pretty great as well called FBackup. Do those run them, put the data on EHD or disc then install on other unit and etc etc...

Works way faster then the transfer or really anything from MS lol..

 

[mmo]

@richc46: Can one choose *what* to save? I don't recall to have seen that option. It listed what it is going to save and then one can start or abort, but was there an option to choose, what to save? I guess I have to retry this soon...

Michael

 

[richc46]

Early in the process, you will see what is being saved, with check boxes. You can uncheck them. You can even make further changes by clicking on customize. The first opportunity, for change, you will see your accounts and another called shared. I don't have that much, but it came to about 20 gb. I unchecked shared and had about 2.5 gb. I unchecked pictures, in my account and it came in under 2. I was able to put everything on a flash drive.

 

[Dave76]

@richc46: Can one choose *what* to save? I don't recall to have seen that option. It listed what it is going to save and then one can start or abort, but was there an option to choose, what to save? I guess I have to retry this soon...

Michael

Take a look at this tutorial Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers It will explain the procedure.

Best to backup your current HD, then use WET for transferring user settings and some of the files.
Keep the bulk of your personal data files in another partition or in a backup on another physical HD or external HD.

 

[BSkiLLs]

I don't know if you guy's have even tried it yet or tested WET but... it sucks and dont seem to work right in the first place as default part of the OS even...

As i said. i would strongly recommend you use a 3rd party better app for it. ( and use a back up or image system with a external HD or something.. or even to disc.

install it on the other system, store the selected ones and whola

Plus can set it to do scheduled backups after you get it switched over.

 

[mmo]

I don't know if you guy's have even tried it yet or tested WET but... it sucks and dont seem to work right in the first place as default part of the OS even...

As i said. i would strongly recommend you use a 3rd party better app for it. ( and use a back up or image system with a external HD or something.. or even to disc.

install it on the other system, store the selected ones and whola

Plus can set it to do scheduled backups after you get it switched over.

That's not the point here! I don't just want to backup or transfer my files and docs - I want (most) windows and as many as possible application settings being migrated to Win7. That requires merging registry-fragments, copying subdirs from "<user>\Application Data" and what not. WET may not be perfect, but a simple backup/restore program, let alone a disk imager won't achieve any of that, either! Just backing up and restoring old files might even overwrite new Win7 settings and files...

@Dave76 and @richc46: Thanks for the hints. I had missed the Customize option the first time I tried it. I will walk through the list and carefully select, what I want to migrate (and what not...).

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Dave76]

I don't know if you guy's have even tried it yet or tested WET but... it sucks and dont seem to work right in the first place as default part of the OS even...

As i said. i would strongly recommend you use a 3rd party better app for it. ( and use a back up or image system with a external HD or something.. or even to disc.

install it on the other system, store the selected ones and whola

Plus can set it to do scheduled backups after you get it switched over.

That's not the point here! I don't just want to backup or transfer my files and docs - I want (most) windows and as many as possible application settings being migrated to Win7. That requires merging registry-fragments, copying subdirs from "<user>\Application Data" and what not. WET may not be perfect, but a simple backup/restore program, let alone a disk imager won't achieve any of that, either! Just backing up and restoring old files might even overwrite new Win7 settings and files...

@Dave76 and @richc46: Thanks for the hints. I had missed the Customize option the first time I tried it. I will walk through the list and carefully select, what I want to migrate (and what not...).

Cheers,
Michael

BSkiLLs,
A lot of people have used WET, and it works very well. I have used it several times with excellent results.
What was your issues with it?
Maybe someone here could help with it.


Michael,
Your welcome, glad it helped.
The file can be huge, with a lot of things you may not need if you backed up your personal files.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[BSkiLLs]

I don't know if you guy's have even tried it yet or tested WET but... it sucks and dont seem to work right in the first place as default part of the OS even...

As i said. i would strongly recommend you use a 3rd party better app for it. ( and use a back up or image system with a external HD or something.. or even to disc.

install it on the other system, store the selected ones and whola

Plus can set it to do scheduled backups after you get it switched over.

That's not the point here! I don't just want to backup or transfer my files and docs - I want (most) windows and as many as possible application settings being migrated to Win7. That requires merging registry-fragments, copying subdirs from "<user>\Application Data" and what not. WET may not be perfect, but a simple backup/restore program, let alone a disk imager won't achieve any of that, either! Just backing up and restoring old files might even overwrite new Win7 settings and files...

@Dave76 and @richc46: Thanks for the hints. I had missed the Customize option the first time I tried it. I will walk through the list and carefully select, what I want to migrate (and what not...).

Cheers,
Michael

BSkiLLs,
A lot of people have used WET, and it works very well. I have used it several times with excellent results.
What was your issues with it?
Maybe someone here could help with it.


Michael,
Your welcome, glad it helped.
The file can be huge, with a lot of things you may not need if you backed up your personal files.

Let us know how it goes.

Nothing really besides it being a MS program. I just mean compared to 3rd party apps as i referred them to. They are always better and of course have better more useful features so i just think as most others do as well that that is the better way to go and a lot faster, etc etc....

 

[BSkiLLs]

I don't know if you guy's have even tried it yet or tested WET but... it sucks and dont seem to work right in the first place as default part of the OS even...

As i said. i would strongly recommend you use a 3rd party better app for it. ( and use a back up or image system with a external HD or something.. or even to disc.

install it on the other system, store the selected ones and whola

Plus can set it to do scheduled backups after you get it switched over.

That's not the point here! I don't just want to backup or transfer my files and docs - I want (most) windows and as many as possible application settings being migrated to Win7. That requires merging registry-fragments, copying subdirs from "<user>\Application Data" and what not. WET may not be perfect, but a simple backup/restore program, let alone a disk imager won't achieve any of that, either! Just backing up and restoring old files might even overwrite new Win7 settings and files...

@Dave76 and @richc46: Thanks for the hints. I had missed the Customize option the first time I tried it. I will walk through the list and carefully select, what I want to migrate (and what not...).

Cheers,
Michael

Uhm.. in my eyes.. yes it does matter and it is the paoint here.. well part of it.

Yes it does and drive imaging software or backup programs DO do that and will keep all your windows settings plus more and also all your app settings for each and every program.

Trust me as i said it is a way way better way to go. Not to mention the speed of them and the backups.

If you don't want to listen that's fine to. Just trying to help.

 

[Hujorgen]

I am having trouble with Easy Transfer from an XP to XP computer. Actually it is the same computer after re-installing XP. I ran the Easy Transfer to back up the data onto an external drive. When I run it now on the new build I don't get the "Continue transfer in Progress" option. It does not ask if this is the new or old computer. I haven't used it before so maybe I am not using it as intended. I have user the XP File settings and transfer program for a situation just like this with no problems.

Any suggestions?

Hu

Computer is a basic HP Pavillion a730n with 512 MB RAM with an external hard drive with XPHome SP3

 

[gregrocker]

I'm not sure why Easy Transfer is needed.

Don't most users know where the files are that need backing up?

If not, just drag your User account onto the external.

The only bonus unEasy Transfer gives is to transfer settings (hidden appdata files) but that is a known corruption path that counteracts doing a clean install.

So I'm still unclear on the concept.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yeah. I experimented with the so-called easy transfer several months ago on a Windows 7 release candidate and was not impressed at all.

If you are even semi-organized and have this stuff backed up independently, why would you need it:

Personal data
Email
Bookmarks
All software keys necessary to reinstall programs


I'm unclear why anyone would need "settings" transferred.

 

[gregrocker]

Run Belarc Advisor first to audit your exact software/hardware and get a list of all installed keys

 

[Jonathan_King]

Yeah. I experimented with the so-called easy transfer several months ago on a Windows 7 release candidate and was not impressed at all.

If you are even semi-organized and have this stuff backed up independently, why would you need it:

Personal data
Email
Bookmarks
All software keys necessary to reinstall programs


I'm unclear why anyone would need "settings" transferred.

I am kind of partial to my Chrome and OpenOffice settings.

 

[gregrocker]

I am kind of partial to my Chrome and OpenOffice settings.

Have you confirmed they are transferred by unEasy Transfer?

Do you know which appdata folder they are stored in? Unhide and look.

 

[Jonathan_King]

I am kind of partial to my Chrome and OpenOffice settings.

Have you confirmed they are transferred by unEasy Transfer?

Do you know which appdata folder they are stored in? Unhide and look.

Local and Roaming, respectively.