Transfering Data Between PCs

ntluser · 15-08-2005, 20:01

I want to tranfer all the files on my old PC (Windows 98) to my new PC (Windows XP).

It's just a matter of making sure I have the old files before I reformat the old PC in preparation for sale.

Both PCs have a LAN connection.

Am I right in thinking I can connect them with a network cable and copy the files over to a specified directory?

Any help greatly appreciated. TIA.

Gareth · 15-08-2005, 20:40

Make sure it's a Cat 5 crossover cable, and not just a standard Cat 5 cable.

Raistlin · 15-08-2005, 21:22

You might also want to consider that even following a reformat it may still be possible to retrieve the files from the disc.

How big is the HDD that is in the machine you are selling?

MovedGoalPosts · 15-08-2005, 21:43

There are various utilities available that claim to be able to wipe the HD and make anything that was on it unrecoverable. No idea how good they really are, probably sufficient for most people but maybe not to the most determined hacker.

I quite like this one http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

Gareth · 15-08-2005, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

You might also want to consider that even following a reformat it may still be possible to retrieve the files from the disc.

How big is the HDD that is in the machine you are selling?

True... I used to have a tool from Maxtor to zero-byte a hard drive. It'll be on their website somewhere. Alternatively, you can use this too... http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/SDelete.html

Raistlin · 15-08-2005, 21:45

I was considering the fact that (if the HDD is small enough, and if there's enough profit in the machine) it might be worth just buying and installing a replacement prior to selling.

This has the added benefit of not having to worry about copying the files across, the old drive can simply be installed as a slave and the files transferred between the two that way.

Gareth · 15-08-2005, 21:47

Heh, why didn't I think of that. The words 'see', 'wood' and 'trees' spring to mind right now

Kliro · 15-08-2005, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

I was considering the fact that (if the HDD is small enough, and if there's enough profit in the machine) it might be worth just buying and installing a replacement prior to selling.

This has the added benefit of not having to worry about copying the files across, the old drive can simply be installed as a slave and the files transferred between the two that way.

Im aware this is highly Off topic, but, are we still allowed to refer to them as master and slave? As I remember there was some controversy over it.

Raistlin · 15-08-2005, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kliro

Im aware this is highly Off topic, but, are we still allowed to refer to them as master and slave? As I remember there was some controversy over it.

I don't see why not, we're describing the respective functions of two electronic devices

MovedGoalPosts · 15-08-2005, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kliro

Im aware this is highly Off topic, but, are we still allowed to refer to them as master and slave? As I remember there was some controversy over it.

What a PC term that isn't PC