Member Avatar for willis86

I have just bought a new laptop and I was woundering what the easiest (and preferably cheapest) way to transfer files to it from my PC is.

Thanks,
Wil

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noted both machines run Windows XP Home and that roughly 40GB of data needs moving. Several good ideas already appear in the thread ( on a direct link, asking about OS, and on removable media, on drive adapters, on migration tools). For clarity: the fastest, simplest, and cheapest practical approaches are (A) attach the source drive to the laptop or use an external USB hard drive/enclosure, or (B) make a direct network link once the desktop has a NIC.

Attach/External-drive approach (recommended when moving lots of data): remove the desktop drive or use a SATA/IDE-to-USB adapter or a USB external HDD. Format the target device NTFS (to preserve permissions and avoid FAT32 limits), connect it to the desktop, copy the data, then attach it to the laptop and move files into place. Verify totals by checking folder sizes on both sides before deleting any originals.

Direct-network approach (if buying a NIC or adapter is acceptable): install a cheap PCI NIC or a USB-to-Ethernet adapter in the desktop, use a crossover cable for a direct PC-to-laptop link (or a small switch), set simple static IPs like 192.168.0.10/255.255.255.0 and 192.168.0.11/255.255.255.0, enable File and Printer Sharing and share the source folders, and temporarily allow that traffic through the Windows firewall. Confirm connectivity with ping, then copy over the network.

Notes and cautions: copying “Program Files” will not properly install applications on the laptop—installed programs should be reinstalled from their installers or migration utilities (’s tool may help with profiles/settings but won’t reliably transfer all program installations). Imaging a desktop OS onto laptop hardware can cause driver and activation problems; use imaging only to move pure data or when prepared to fix drivers. For 40GB, the external-drive/adapter route is the fastest and least hassle.

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Member Avatar for sameerupare

I have just bought a new laptop and I was woundering what the easiest (and preferably cheapest) way to transfer files to it from my PC is.

Thanks,
Wil

Hi Will

The best way to do it is with the Cross -cable only the IP of the Machines need to be mapped u could get that info from some network admin guy

S@MEER

Member Avatar for Catweazle

What operating systems are installed on the two systems?

A simple network using only a crossover network cable, as mentioned, is one method, if both systems have ethernet capability.

If the PC has a CD burner, then that is also a cheap and easy method. (If it hasn't then it SHOULD have!)

Member Avatar for willis86

Both machines have Windows XP home edition. The PC does have a cd burner but i want to transfer pretty much everything over to the laptop which is about 40GB worth of stuff so it would take years. The PC does not have a network card although im sure i'd be able to pick one up somewhere.

Wil

Member Avatar for hexstar

I have just bought a new laptop and I was woundering what the easiest (and preferably cheapest) way to transfer files to it from my PC is.

Thanks,
Wil

try using this:

Member Avatar for Ghost

CD writers are to slow. get a cheep flash drive by lexmark (128 for $15, 256 for $36 at Fry's). It works as fast as a floppy and as reliable as a CD+RW

Member Avatar for dlh6213

CD writers are to slow. get a cheep flash drive by lexmark (128 for $15, 256 for $36 at Fry's). It works as fast as a floppy and as reliable as a CD+RW

With 40GB of data to transfer, that still wouldn't be a very efficient method. I'd go with the networking, but the PC Relocater would probably work too.

Member Avatar for ikenfixit

USB drive, Laptop drive Adapter,Laptop drive, Norton ghost?? Get the picture? Easy to do.. Multi-ghost..X-fer all to one then one to all.. Easy w/XP..

Member Avatar for willis86

Cheers guys

Member Avatar for mokkema

crossover cables work great...but so do wireless (overnight...hehe)

Or find someone with an external HD...those are the best paired with USB2.0 and you'll have your files over in no time.

Member Avatar for Nikkie

external hardrive or for smalled files those memory card and the 6 in 1 card reader/writer

Member Avatar for alpha2006


If the PC has a CD burner, then that is also a cheap and easy method. (If it hasn't then it SHOULD have!)

Or a DVD burner. More space to copy :)

Member Avatar for nizzy1115

Dang...why the old post revivals?

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