How to move files from old computer HDD or backup drive to new compute

[audreytemp]

We bought a newer Lenovo which has a faster engine and 2Tb of storage to replace an increasingly flaky unit.
However, although both machines run Win7 64 bit, I can't seem to get the files onto the new hard drive in workable fashion.
The backup files should be encrypted, but I can't seem to unlock them.
Surely this can't be this complicated. I've done this with older Windows systems.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What kind of files? Pictures of your cat? Windows itself?

How did you do this "backup"? Using what program? Or just the mouse? Did you intentionally encrypt these files?

 

[AddRAM]

Decrypt the files then hook up the drive to the other pc, then just copy and paste what you want.

 

[audreytemp]

@ignatzatsonic: Files include emails and client (Outlook), photos, Facebook, MS Office, Income tax records, etc. Win7 is on both drives, but I don't think I need to overwrite one with the other, do I?

This is my wife's former office computer, and I believe the B/U is automatic weekly, but I don't know the software.
By 'encrypt' I mean .pst, .obi, and .csv

@AddRAM: I tried to decrypt the files, but got nowhere - at all. The machine did not respond to what I gather is the wrong commands.
By 'hooking up' the drive, can I connect the two computers together, say with a USB, and copy-paste? Is it done as in XP?

 

[ShoTTaS]

hi audrey,

The files you are saying .pst, .obi, .csv are all extensions used for MS Applications, .pst and .obi are extensions used in outlook and .csv is by spreadsheet excel.

The question is, did you install an MS Office in your new computer?

 

[DavidE]

It's not clear to me if you really use encryption, or maybe you have a permissions/security problem ...
It will help if you post screen print(s) of errors you see.
See this tutorial by Brink:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[audreytemp]

@shoTTas:
The drive in the old computer has MS Office on board. How do I get it to the new machine?

 

[whs]

MS Office you have to reinstall on the new PC. There is no way to transfer it..

And if your data was encrypted on the old PC, I would first decrypt it on the old PC before trying to transfer it.

 

[ShoTTaS]

yeah, as what whs said, you have to reinstall MS Office on your new machine. If you dont have an installer you can buy one.

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps to Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which covers everything that needs backup, how to do a perfect install and then keep it that way.

 

[audreytemp]

The computer came with a clean version of Win7. All I want to do is get the old files from the previous machine.
Maybe I should mark this thread as 'solved' and find another help source.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The computer came with a clean version of Win7. All I want to do is get the old files from the previous machine.
Maybe I should mark this thread as 'solved' and find another help source.

I don't use Outlook, but I'd guess you need to "import" the Outlook files from the old machine to the new machine. Ditto for the csv files which are likely Excel files. We still have no reason to believe these files are actually encrypted.

You might try making a new post in the Browsers and Mail section regarding Outlook. Or Google for "import Outlook files".

If nothing else, I'd simply copy and paste the csv files to the new PC and see if they could then be imported to a new Excel installation on the new PC.

I assume you can or already have installed Outlook and Office on the new PC.

 

[gregrocker]

It shows how to back up Office files and everything else not to be forgotten in Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

You don't need to reinstall to use that tutorial which covers everything that needs backup and how to set up your install. It has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint. So why would you need to seek another help source?

If you're planning to use the OS that came preinstalled on the PC then be aware that is the worst install of Win7 one can possibly have, larded with bloatware and useless duplicate utilities that interfere with better versions built into the OS. No tech enthusiast would run such an install. If you don't want to do the Clean Reinstall Windows 7 then I'd at least try to Clean Up Factory Bloatware to regain some performance. But you'll never really experience Win7 until you reinstall.

 

[audreytemp]

Went to Clean install

As you suggested, I entered msconfig in the Start box. It came up with: (empty)
So, no sign of bloatware or anything else!
The install was a clean one from a MS authorized depot.
I don't believe another clean install will do anything for me.

right now I am trying to set up a home network, with which i will (theoretically) be able to access the files fro, the old machine. However, the password MS gave me for the network won't work, and MS doesn't respond to a chat request, or any other form of communication.

Frustration grows.

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure the Homegroup password is the same on both PC's, and Advanced Sharing options have Network Discovery enabled and no password. Then rightclick on each computer's related User Folder to Share with Homegroup.

Homegroup - Add Computer or Join - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[audreytemp]

I carefully wrote down the password for Homegroup that was given on the first computer, but when inputting it on the second machine, I get a "incorrect password" message. I checked it on both computers, and it is identical. There is no instruction as to any other procedure.
I tried to contact MS Help, but never achieved a connection - in almost four hours of 'please wait!'

 

[gregrocker]

Did you set Advanced Sharing Settings in Network and Sharing Center to Network Discovery enabled for all PC's, and turn off password sharing?

If so remove the HomeGroup for the PC which has one and wait for either to regenerate a password to use.

You can also manually use the Network to share files after changing the Properties Sharing tab to Shared and specifying the other PC's user or just using Everyone.

 

[audreytemp]

I checked the base computer's settings, and turned OFF network password sharing.
However, I tried to remove the password, but cannot find a way to do so. I cannot just erase it, and clicking 'cancel' doesn't do it. Do I have to restart the process again to generate a new password?


you mentioned that we will be able to share files once the network is functioning. Does that mean we can use an application (e.g. Excel) on a remote computer, not just for viewing, but for entries, etc?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you Leave the Homegroup on this screen?

 

[audreytemp]

When I call up that screen on the main computer, it looks exactly like your exaqmple.
The other machine has a page up on it asking for the password.
(I have only one monitor to share between the CPUs. A bit awkward and time consuming, so it's hard to do a quick check.)