Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 03:56 PM |
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New PC file & data transfer
Hello,
I have bought a new laptop and want to transfer all my old files over from the old laptop. There is about 10GB worth of stuff though so copying to a
pen drive is out. I have an ethernet cable and I am running XP on both. Can I just plug them in and copy? If so how do I do it?
Cheers
Steve
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andyd
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 04:07 PM |
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You'll either need a "cross over" network cable which has some of the wires crossed (funnily enough  ) or a hub/switch and plug
them both into that with "standard" patch cables i.e. no crossed wires.
If you have the means to connect the two via a single cable or via a hub then you will basically be forming a mini network (albeit with just two
devices). You'll then be able to "see" each from the other and copy files from shared network folders. The actual setup of the
"network" isn't difficult but maybe we'll cross (no pun intended) that when/if you can get the two hooked up.
An alternative might be IrDA (Infrared) if both devices have it. Or bluetooth? Or a copy of something like LapLink which is a piece of software
running on both and can use a cable (usually serial but modern versions may use USB) to copy stuff between them.
You *may* be able to set up WinXP to "network" using a USB cable but I may be dreaming that. I've never actually tried but some
dusty info in my brain thinks it may be possible.
Far easier to join with normal network cables and a hub though.
HTH 
Andy
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ned
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 04:23 PM |
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just take the harddrive out and buy a usb2 external case for it for about £5 (ebay). i did this last week, it arrived promptly and is very handy for
other stuff aswell.
Ned.
[Edited on 24/1/07 by ned]
beware, I've got yellow skin
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mcerd1
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 04:27 PM |
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I made a cross-over cable once for this (I had a diagram in the back of a network card manual) I just cut the wires that need cut and cross wire them
- it actually worked 
but the proper cables are cheep enough
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Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 04:29 PM |
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I have a wireless router and both laptops could connect to that at the same time, I think. Would that work?
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 04:30 PM |
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have a 2.5" laptop hardrive in an external usb caddy which i use for work and carry everywhere, it is good because it doesn't need
external power only usb power
might not be what you're looking for but it is really useful, mine is 40GB and can play divx files straight to television
Build Blog
Build Photo Album
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MikeR
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 04:43 PM |
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both laptops to the wireless will work, along with the caddy or network cable options. i'm guessing speed isn't a issue but IRDA will be
going for hours / days!
DO NOT USE A USB CABLE!
right, now i've got your attention, if you don't get a special USB cable designed for linking machines together not only will it not work,
you'll risk blowing your motherboard. Its a strange throwback to the USB design. Trust me, i've looked into this for work. you can get the
special USB cable for a few pounds
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MkIndy7
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 05:23 PM |
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If the machines got a DVD writer.. 2 Dual layer DVD's would be over 10GB or 2 singles wouldn't be far off.
You'd then also have a hard backup copy.. as it must be semi important or you wouldn't be transfering it!
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BenB
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 06:32 PM |
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Only issue with the external hard drive carriers is they often require USB 2.0... Okay as long as you've got it but a pain if you haven't
and don't realise it needs it until after it arrives!!!
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the_fbi
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 07:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Steve Lovelock
I have a wireless router and both laptops could connect to that at the same time, I think. Would that work?
Any chance the wireless router also has multiple LAN ports on it too, they normally do.
If so, will be much quicker then doing it over the wireless. Just need 2 normal network cables.
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Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 07:56 PM |
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It does have spare ports and I think I have the relevant cables. So, assuming I get that far what do I do to see the pair of computers?
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the_fbi
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| posted on 24/1/07 at 08:03 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Steve Lovelock
It does have spare ports and I think I have the relevant cables. So, assuming I get that far what do I do to see the pair of computers?
Presuming you know the IP address of your router, note it down and don't use it for any of the IPs in a minute.
Disable the wireless card on the laptops (network connections, right click, disable)
Setup the IP addresses/network masks of the 2 laptops wired LAN cards as something like (or actually as)
192.168.0.10 / 255.255.255.0 (old laptop)
192.168.0.11 / 255.255.255.0 (new laptop)
(as long as those aren't what your router is set to, which it 99% won't be)
You don't need to worry about default gateways or DNS servers.
Connect the network cables.
On the new laptop, do start run, \\192.168.0.10\C$ and hit return.
(presuming its XP/2000 on the old laptop)
If/when you are prompted for a username/passwd type in the (an)Administrator username and passwd and you'll see your old laptops C drive. Change
C$ for D$ or any other drive you want access to.
Copy away.
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Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 25/1/07 at 09:45 AM |
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Well I do have two patch leads but it turns out that one of them is cross over lead. So, do I just plug the one cable into the laptops and follow the
instructions just as FBI suggests?
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Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 25/1/07 at 10:10 AM |
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Well I followed the instructions with the cross over cable connected to no avail. I feel like a bit of a pain but being able to copy these files
would really make my life much happier so advice warmly accepted.
Regards
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Marcus
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| posted on 25/1/07 at 11:24 AM |
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External DVD writer?
You'd get most of that on a couple of DVDs
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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Steve Lovelock
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| posted on 25/1/07 at 11:30 AM |
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Well I found another patch lead and tried the method via the router without luck as well, poo.
I could use an external dvd writer but don't have one.
Fun, Fun
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trogdor
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| posted on 25/1/07 at 12:51 PM |
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i would just do it by wireless if they both connect to the hub ok, i have transferred loads of things that way, its not as fast as a cable but it
ain't that slow, it prob be quicker than messing round with cables
you can see other computers in my network places you just need to share the relevant files or drives etc
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the_fbi
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| posted on 25/1/07 at 05:04 PM |
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Sorry, missed out one part.
Disable Windows or any other firewall software which is running!
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