Copying files - laptop to desktop

Associate
Joined
17 Oct 2005
Posts
95
Location
Hampshire
Hi,

I have just completed building my first Desktop PC and would like to copy all my personal files from my 'works' Laptop to it.

What are my various options to do this and what would I need?

Thanks.
 
Options:

1) burn them to a DVD/CD - Need a CD/DVD writer and blank media
2) Direct Copy - Both machines must have network card & u need a crossover cable
3) Network Copy - both machines must have a network card & u need a hub/switch & two straight network cables.
4) Floppy disk - a floppy disk drive and need lots of floppies and time.
 
Thanks for your suggestions. I'll probably go for the X-over cable option as I have this cable handy.

Do I need to do any setup within XP at each end?
 
If XP is on both machines you can probably just run the network wizard on both. Reboot and right click My Documents will allow you to see\write and read to folders on each machine
 
Urm, I have a problem....I have connected the my 'works' laptop to my home desktop using the x-over cable and got connectivity. I am able to run the Network Setup Wizard on my desktop but not on my laptop as I do not have administrator rights (our company policy). So I'm a bit stuck now.
I assume I cannot progress in this case.

I cannot burn anything to DVD/CD as my laptop only has a DVD player.
The floppy solution is not worth it (tedious) and by using a hub I'm sure I'll have the same problem as above.

I guess another possibility would be to use a USB flash-drive to copy files over.
 
Big Dee, If the files are to big to copy over with USB then you could still copy over the netowrk.
You dont need admin rights over both pc's just one pc should be enough.

from your laptop find out the ip address :
start - run - cmd - iponfig
i.e. 192.168.0.1

make sure your desktop is set to a similar ip address.
i.e. 192.168.0.2

On your desktop disable any and all firewalls even windows Xp inbuilt frewall.

Create a share on the desktop : creat a new folder on C:\ right click and select properties. select "If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard click here"

Select Justenable files sharing
Check "share this folder on the network"
and a Check in " allow network users to change my files.

Apply and OK.

At the laptop :
Start - run
in the run box type \\computer name of the desktop
(Computer name can befound from start- settings- control pannel - system - computer name. look for full computer name).

This should bring up a windows explorer type page and you should see the folder you created and set the share access on.

you should now be able to drop and drag files over to the desktop computer using the network.

This is just a quick run though of what you would need to do.
 
personally if you want the ultimate in data transfer I find the Vulcan mind-meld more than adequate ;)

However if your company uses DHCP then there may be a chance you could get ICS working with the crossover cable if your desktop machine is set up to be the DHCP server

(Sorry, I felt I had to follow my sarcastic comment with something resembling a constructive addition to the thread. Call it weakness if you will....;))
 
Kami said:
USB memory stick can't believe nobody mentioned them :p

yeh, or an IR-link or bluetooth or sound card to tape. :-)


A 2.5" hard drive IDE adaptor is what I normally use,
you don't get locked files that way



.
 
Back
Top Bottom