Trading computers and files?

[BlackCatsRule]

I'm not quite sure how to explain what I want to do so I'll just give it my best shot and hope it makes sense to someone out there.

I have 2 Dell desktop PC's. Both XPS. Both Windows 7 Pro, service pack 1.

One is mine and the other belongs to my husband. I want to trade computers with him. The one he is using has more ram and is faster. He only uses it to surf around and read news. I use mine for work.

Is there a way that I can move files and settings from my PC to his and vice versa?

 

[maxie]

Hi Welcome to Seven Forums ... Read the Link below ..


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Is there a way that I can move files and settings from my PC to his and vice versa?

As Maxie said, you can try Easy Transfer, but I'd have a fallback position if it proved to be a problem.

I'd divide the stuff into 2 categories:

Personal data: be prepared to move this manually, as by using a USB thumb drive or external drive. Locate the folders where you store stuff and copy it to the thumb drive or external. I'd do this before I even attempted Easy Transfer. Including email and browser bookmarks.

Installed applications and their configurations: I'd be prepared to reinstall rather than move. Maybe Easy Transfer works for you. Maybe not.

 

[Slartybart]

Since they're both Dells, both XPS and both Win7 Pro

Why not just swap hard drives?

 

[BlackCatsRule]

Thanks for your replies and help. I'm going to give it a try over the week-end. I will let you know how I make out...or don't.

 

[maxie]

I do not envisage that you will have any problems it should be straight forward .. But if not a helping hand is always available ....

 

[gregrocker]

The hard drive swap might work, but if not I would create a new Admin-level User account with your name and copy the files over using HomeGroup or USB media. User Account - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums


Open Documents for example on the old PC, on Organize tab Select All, drag the group to the corresponding folder on new User Account on the left-hand Explorer bar, wait for each sub-folder to expand until it confirms the correct copy location, then release the drag-n-drop.


Next test that the Programs you want work from the new account; if not Reinstall them so they do. We can help you find any installers you need as they are all available online. Much is also covered in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which deals with everything that needs to be backed up as well as everything that works best in tens of thousands of installs we've helped with here.


Once the User account is set up you can do the same for your hubby's new PC. leave the old User accounts intact until you're sure everything is moved, then you can delete them in User Accounts. .

 

[Slartybart]

Be aware that the license on both machines should be updated using the COA key on the respective box,

If you ever have to use the Dell recovery (restore to factory conditions) then the license would need to be updated again, because the OEM key would come from the drive that we swapped.

It's much better to do a clean install than an OEM restore to factory conditions. There's an excellent tutorial on how to do that if the time ever comes. I'm not suggesting that now, only making you aware of the option.

For now though, I only wanted you to note that the license keys should be updated to reflect the machine the drives are connected.

Bill
.

 

[BlackCatsRule]

I have decided to go with the clean install. I have non-profit volume licensing agreement from MS so I can use the same product key on multiple machines. I downgraded both PC's from Windows 8 so I'm thinking this will be much less difficult that that was!

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, I'm not sure how a clean Win7 install works with a machine downgraded from Win8. But it sounds as though the volume license might help with that, I'm not sure.

Greg knows this stuff inside out, so I'll sit on the side lines and pick up a few more tips and tricks. I just (literally, just finished this morning) upgraded my machine to Win8 and so far, it's a fine OS.

Good luck,

Bill
.

 

[gregrocker]

If you reinstall I'd use the key on COA sticker if Win7 to not waste a $100+ license.

Changing only HD on same hardware may not require reactivation and changing User accounts will not.

 

[BlackCatsRule]

OK, so I did the clean install on one of the PC's. It went well without a glitch. Problem now is that the PC can't find my router and connect to the internet. I went to Dell's web site and downloaded all of the network drivers in case I had missed one when I originally downloaded all of the drivers to a flash drive. I have installed them all.

What am I doing wrong? I feel like it's something simple but my brain is presently in a fog.

Ideas? Suggestions? Both of the PC's are Dell XPS One 27.

I downloaded the drivers for here --> Product Support | Dell US

 

[Slartybart]

Are you connecting over Ethernet or wireless? Members will need to know the status of the drivers and devices.

Please follow this tutorial to provide the current operating environment of your machine.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/311593-speccy-publish-snapshot-your-system-specs.html

---

It would also be helpful if the system specs were as complete as possible on your SF profile:
Please add your SF Systems Specs by following this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

• In the System Manufacturer/Model Number field, manually type Desktop or Laptop adding it to the information already in the field.
• Specify Custom Build as the manufacturer if it is not an OEM machine.
• The tool does not fill in this information but it is very important if someone has to research drivers or hardware for your machine.

Log on to Sevenforums (SF) and let the tool fill in you System specs on your SF profile.

Full instructions are in the tutorial. It's a simple process and it makes that information readily available on your posts. You don't have to retype the information in any thread.

Click here to view your system specs on SevenForums.

Click on My System Specs in the lower left of any post by any member to see what is presented about their machine.

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

As it says in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 you should install plugged into ethernet cable so it is more likely to start up connected.

Then enable http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2803-device-installation-settings.html Option 3 to run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, with reboots, until there are no more offered when you go back to Check for Updates. This should deliver all other drivers as well as important patches to make them work.

Then check Device Manager for which drivers are still missing, if not named you can trace them via their http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73420-hardware-identification.html
Normally copying and pasting into Google the first line of Hardware ID is enough to find driver, or at least learn the exact maker and model.

 

[Slartybart]

OK, so I did the clean install on one of the PC's. It went well without a glitch. Problem now is that the PC can't find my router and connect to the internet. I went to Dell's web site and downloaded all of the network drivers in case I had missed one when I originally downloaded all of the drivers to a flash drive. I have installed them all.

What am I doing wrong? I feel like it's something simple but my brain is presently in a fog.

Ideas? Suggestions? Both of the PC's are Dell XPS One 27.

I downloaded the drivers for here --> Product Support | Dell US

You only did one machine, right?

If you feel like experimenting, it would be interesting to know how connecting the HD from one machine in the other works out (the second machine, first machine HD or visa versa). If you'd rather not, I understand... it's just my curious nature.

Thanks,

Bill
.