You might want the high performance and powerful features of a new computer, but you don't want to give up the comfortable feeling of your old computer. You've arranged your desktop just the way you like, installed all your favorite programs, and organized your files so you can quickly find anything you need. Don't worry: If your new computer has Windows XP installed, you can use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to copy everything from your old computer to your new computer.
Transfer files and settings across a network or cable
If you bought a new computer and can run it at the same time as your old computer, you can use a home network or a cable to transfer your files and settings. To use a home network, connect both your old and your new computers to the network at the same time. If you can't connect both computers to your home network, connect a null modem serial cable (available at most electronics stores) to the serial ports on both computers.
There are three phases to transferring files and settings between an old and a new computer using your network or a cable:
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Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer.
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Complete the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your new computer.
This article walks you through each of these three phases. The entire process should take about an hour.
Transfer files and settings using a shared folder or external hard disk drive
If you are reinstalling Windows XP on a single computer, or if you can't run your old and new computers at the same time, you can use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to store your information on an external hard disk drive or in a shared folder on your home network.
There are two phases to transferring files and settings between an old and a new computer using a shared folder or removable media:
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•
This article walks you through each of these phases. The entire process should take about an hour.
Transfer files and settings across a network or cable
Prepare your new computer
If you have a home network, connect both your old and new computers to the network. Then log on to your new computer as an administrator. After you have done that:
1.
Install any programs you use on your old computer.
2.
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
3.
The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next.
4.
On the Which computer is this? page, click New computer. Then, click Next.
5.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? page, you can create a Wizard Disk if you do not have the Windows XP CD available. If you have the Windows XP CD, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD, click Next, and skip to the section Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
6.
Connect the removable media (such as an external hard disk drive, a USB flash drive, a memory card from your digital camera, or any removable media large enough to store your files and settings) to your computer. Click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive. Select the removable media, and then click Next.
7.
When prompted, click the option that describes the operating system running on your old computer, and then click OK.
8.
When prompted to insert the removable media, click OK.
9.
The wizard displays the Now go to your old computer page. If you are transferring files across a network, skip to the section Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer. If you are transferring files with a serial cable, click Next, and then continue with the next step.
10.
On the Where are the files and settings? page, click Direct cable, and then click Next.
11.
Connect your null modem serial cable to the serial ports on both your old and new computers. The serial ports are on the backs of the computers and have nine pins in two rows.
12.
On the Set up your serial connection page, click Autodetect. Leave the wizard on this page while you continue the process from your old computer.
Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer
To continue the process on your old computer
1.
Close any open programs.
2.
Launch the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. If you created a Wizard Disk, connect the Wizard Disk to your old computer. Click the Start menu, click My Computer, double-click the Wizard Disk to display its contents, and double-click FASTWiz. Then, skip to step 6. If you did not create a Wizard Disk and have your Windows XP CD instead, continue with the next step.
3.
Insert your Windows XP CD. If Windows XP Setup does not appear after 20 to 30 seconds, click the Start menu, click My Computer, right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay.
4.
The Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page appears. Click Perform additional tasks.
5.
Click Transfer files and settings.
6.
The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next.
7.
On the Which computer is this? page, click Old computer. Then, click Next.
8.
If you are alerted that the firewall is blocking the program, click Unblock.
9.
The wizard displays the Select a transfer method page. If you are transferring files across a network, click Home or small office network, click Next, and then skip to step 12. If you are transferring files with a serial cable, continue with the next step.
10.
On the Select a transfer method page, click Direct cable. Then click Next.
11.
On the Set up your serial connection page, click Autodetect. Then, click Next.
12.
On the What do you want to transfer? page, click Next.
13.
If the Install programs on your new computer page appears, click Next.
14.
The wizard will examine your old computer, which may take about an hour. You do not need to be present during this time. When it is finished, the Password dialog box will appear on your new computer, displaying a case-sensitive password. Type this password in the Password dialog box on your old computer. Then, click OK.
15.
The wizard will transfer your files and settings, which may take an hour. You do not need to be present during this time. When the transfer is complete, click Finish on the old computer.
Complete the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
To complete the transfer process on the new computer
1.
After the wizard transfers your files and settings, click Finish.
2.
When prompted, click Yes to log off. Then, log on again to access your newly transferred files and settings.
You are done transferring your files and settings, and can use your new computer. You should shut down your old computer, but keep it available for at least two weeks in case you discover a file that was not transferred.
Transfer files and settings using a shared folder or external hard disk drive
Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer
1.
Log on to your old computer.
2.
Close any open programs.
3.
Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD drive. If Windows XP Setup does not appear within 20 to 30 seconds, click the Start menu, click My Computer, right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay.
4.
The Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page appears. Click Perform additional tasks.
5.
Click Transfer files and settings.
6.
The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next.
7.
On the Which computer is this? page, click Old computer. Then, click Next.
8.
If you are alerted that the firewall is blocking the program, click Unblock.
9.
Connect the removable media (such as an external hard disk drive, a USB flash drive, a memory card from your digital camera, or any removable media large enough to store your files and settings) to your computer. On the Select a transfer method page, click Other. Click the Browse button to select your removable media, and then click OK. Click Next.
10.
On the What do you want to transfer? page, click Next.
11.
The wizard will back up your files and settings, which may take an hour. You do not need to be present during this time. When the backup is complete, click Finish.
Now you can safely reinstall Windows XP. Then, continue the transfer process on the new computer.
Run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your new computer
To run the Files and Setting Transfer Wizard on your new computer
1.
Log on to your new computer as an administrator.
2.
Install any programs that you used on your old computer.
3.
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
4.
The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next.
5.
On the Which computer is this? page, click New computer. Then, click Next.
6.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? page, click I don't need the Wizard Disk. Then, click Next.
7.
Connect the removable media to your computer. On the Where are the files and settings? page, click Other. Click the Browse button to select your removable media, and then click OK. Click Next.
8.
After the wizard transfers your files and settings, click Finish.
9.
When prompted, click Yes to log off. Then, log on again to access your newly transferred files and settings.
You are done transferring your files and settings, and can use your new computer.