Upgrading to a new PC with Windows7 64 Bit

[SirMaru]

I am upgrading my Dell XPS 600 with Windows XP SP3 32 bit to a Dell XPS 7100 with Windows 7 Home 64 bit.

I have only one Dell 24" Widescreen Monitor for both PC's.

I have installed Easy Transfer 32 Bit on my Dell XPS 600. I understand that Easy Transfer is already available from the Run box at the Start menu on my Dell XPS 7100.

I also understand I must be signed in as an Administrator on both PC's.

I am always signed in as an Administrator on my Dell XPS 600 and I just eliminated password protection there to ease my transition in the upgrade.

How do I sign in as an Administrator on my Dell XPS 7100 with Windows 7? I understand that option starts disabled in Windows 7.

I understand that I must either use an Easy Transfer cable or an external disk drive. I believe Dell is sending me a Belkin Easy Transfer cable with my purchase. In any event I have a 500 Gb external hard disk available with USB 2.0 connection.

Can I start my Dell XPS 600 with the Monitor enabled and start up Easy Transfer, then move the Monitor cable to the XPS 7100 without adversely affecting the Dell XPS 7100?

If I can do that, I can then start Easy Transfer in the XPS 7100 and begin the process.

I use MediaMonkey for my music playing of MP3 files. To keep their database, I must first install the program, place the old database file in the correct location on the XPS 7100 and then move in the music. When I use Easy Transfer, can I keep "My Music" unmoved while moving other data and then come back to move my music?

I also use Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and have my catalog backed up on an external drive with the pictures. Can I leave "My Pictures" unmoved with Easy Transfer and then just retrieve my Catalog directly onto the XPS 7100 with my pictures?

I use Zone Alarm Security Systems on my Dell XPS 600 and will be using McAfee Security Systems on my Dell XPS 7100. Do I have to disable both security systems to make this transfer?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[fishnbanjo]

If you can place both PC's on the network, i.e. if you use a wired network on the 600 keep it there and running, if you have a second connection on your router plug the XPS 7100 there but don't turn it on yet, if both run wireless just keep the 600 on when you start the 7100.

Watch this tutorial..... Windows 7 features - Windows Easy Transfer - Microsoft Windows

I did it with my XPS 600 to my new Studio XPS 435T-9000 and it transferred 72 Gb and setup windows, ms outlook account and was running slick in under 3 hours.

Files like photos, mp3's, .doc's, .pdf's, .xml etc will transfer easily the programs will not they must be loaded onto your new pc. As long as the PC isn't turned off moving the monitor cable is not an issue.

 

[SirMaru]

More questions on upgrade

I am not operating any PC's on a network. I'll set them up with one on the table and one on the floor next to the table and move the Monitor cable as required.

I understand one should not use the Administrator account for normal operations as a hacker on the internet could install malware then.

Thus, the best way seems to be to use a limited account for normal operations with all my data files and programs useable there.

I'd only use the Administrator account for the initial transfer of data and installation of programs at this time and later.

First, how does one start the Administrator account? I believe it starts disabled. Second, can I transfer all my data with that account to my Limited User account? How do I install progams using the Administrator account and still make it available to my User account?

With Windows XP SP3 I placed all my data under "My Documents". I believe Windows7 uses a different arrangement. Third, will the Easy Transfer program find the right place for the data in my Limited User account including the Outlook data? I used to use Outlook 2003 and now will be using Outlook 2010.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Personally, I prefer to move my data myself, rather than let some "wizard" decide what's important to me. No one else, and no software package knows this info better than I do....or in your case...you know your data better than any application. It's rare to find a computer not on a network these days, considering most homes have routers in them. Either way, if you don't have a networked option, get an external drive to save your important data to, and move it to the new computer.