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Question

How to transfer data between 2 PC's with ethernet cable?

May 25, 2015 8:18AM PDT

My old laptop has Windows 7, the new one Win 8.1. Both are Acer Aspires. The old model is E1-531-2438 w/ Intel Celeron, the new model is E5-511-P8E8 with Intel Pentium Quad-core N3530 CPU.

I've looked into Windows Easy Transfer, but can't seem to get it to work, and I don't know why, or what I am missing. Or even if it will work at all.

I know most commonly, people use flash drives, CD's or DVD's. I don't know how much space is used to store everything on my old PC, but it has a 500GB hard drive. I know my stuff isn't anywhere near that much. I have about 20GB worth of discs to put data on, which will likely be everything I want to move to the new computer, that runs Win 8.1.

I've read that using an Ethernet patch cable is better to use than a USB. Not certain about that, though.
I smply want to know where to start, what to do next, and so on. I would also like to know which method to transfer the data is best, fastest, most efficient, etc., whether it be cable, external drives (thumb), discs, or if and how it can be done with my home Wi-Fi.

Thanks for any replies. This one has me by the ying-yang, but although I am a newbie & not a tekkie, I'm tryin'. I appreciate everyone's time that might have some knowledge of the subject to post in the thread.

Erik_theRed565

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Why not have it done for you?
May 25, 2015 8:29AM PDT

But before that, you wrote " best, fastest, most efficient, etc." and that's a trap. It's an one time job that we only need to do one time.

-> Also, we only lose what we don't backup. 20GB will fit easily on a 20 buck memory stick.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/3151491/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_e_1_4_last shows such at the #2 spot for 12 dollars.

Why not use that? Copy your stuff to the stick then copy it to it's new home on the new PC?
Bob

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If you want to try the cable method. Pictures at link.
May 25, 2015 8:47AM PDT
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I'll try to be more concise
May 26, 2015 5:23AM PDT

When I said best, most efficient, fastest, etc., they're just different adjectives describing the same thing. I don't understand " That's a trap".

Also, I meant that I have blank CD's, and DVD's to burn data TO, from the Windows 7 PC, then run them on the Windows 8 PC. Won't that work, to get my files, folders, etc., from one to the other?

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Just because I don't see an "edit post'
May 26, 2015 5:30AM PDT

Sorry, I meant to ask about your second post. The article headline basically says, "XP to 8.1. My case is Win 7 HP, to 8.1. Would the procedure outlined in this article be the same for both cases?

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It's too similar for 7 to 8.1
May 26, 2015 11:32PM PDT

So I stopped there.

As to the trap, it's a trap or a tar pit. I only need to do this once so testing which is the best would have me complete the task using each method then ranking each system. For me I've used them all and would give the memory stick the best rating since it creates a backup along the way.

Why? Because we only lose what we don't backup. Windows has become such a target for malware and worse that without backups, folk lose it all.
Bob

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Answer
transfer data
May 25, 2015 3:17PM PDT

The best option is to network the two PCs with a fast, efficient data transfer from PC to PC.
And then find a data transfer software, such as PC mover or EaseUS Todo PCTrans.

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Answer
actually in today's world
May 25, 2015 3:35PM PDT
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Thanks to EVERYONE
May 26, 2015 5:38AM PDT

Thank you, James, for the reply. I just used the subject line that way because I forgot to thank R. Proffitt. So, again, thanks very much to you, and everyone else for your, and their help.

Let me just say this: I am using a wireless router, and have U-verse. My Wi-Fi works great here at home, so would I be able to migrate all of my data from the Windows 7 PC TO the Windows 8 PC, using only Wi-Fi, and the computers configured to recognize each other? If so, where would I begin to allow the 2 to see each other?

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Create a shared folder
May 26, 2015 5:47AM PDT

on each computer to put files into for copy from and to, or even better, you can temporarily share the entire drive on the target computer as a "share" and then access it completely from the other computer, so long as both are setup with networking and in the same Group, or now often called "Home Group". Just remember to unshare the entire drive on the target computer after completing your copy.

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File Sharing
Jun 27, 2015 7:26AM PDT

If you are unfamiliar with sharing folders or drives here's how: go to "my computer" or "this pc" and right click on the drive that you want to share and select "properties" at the bottom of the pop-up menu. In the disk properties window click on the "sharing" tab at the top, then click on the "advanced sharing" tab about the middle of the window. In the next window make sure the "share this folder" box is checked at the top then click on "permissions" tab under the comments box. The next window should show "Everyone" under "group or usernames". If not click "add" below the box and type it in the box that opens and click ok. You will then return to the permissions window. Make sure all three boxes under "permissions for Everyone" are checked and click ok to return to advanced sharing. Click ok again to return to disk properties. Now select the "Security" tab at the top and make sure that "Everyone" under "Group or user names" is selected and that all permissions are checked. If not, click on "Edit" under "Group or user names" box and make sure that "allow" is checked in all the boxes except special permissions. Now just click ok an all the windows until they are all closed. Do this on the disks to be shared on each computer. You may need to restart your computers for the changes to take effect. You should then see both computers when when you select "Network" in "My Computer" or "This PC". If you get a message that Network Discovery is turned off click to change settings and turn on network discovery for private networks. That should do it. You should now be able to click on "Network" and see both drives from each computer and transfer files back and forth with no problem.

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Answer
wel`l the easiest way mauy
May 25, 2015 9:32PM PDT

be to just copy the files to a USB flash drive on the old pc. Then plug the flash drive into the new machine and copy the files there.

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Answer
WI Fi and Network cable
Jun 24, 2015 10:40PM PDT

To tranfer the data Wi fi is most accessible or the net work cable ...Flash drive also works fine.

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Answer
You could use your WiFi network
Jun 27, 2015 12:19AM PDT

Hi Erik,
reading through the posts, I suspect that networking is still a bit "cocoa tins and wet string" to you and you are looking for a bit more basic help. Given there are easier and better solutions, such as the USB thumb drive that Bob recommended, that might be the best option.

But here are a few clues to doing it via networking - if you don't understand this brief explanation, go with the thumb drive.

You have a WiFi network, based on your WiFi router and that is working well for both your PCs, you say. I assume you are using a workgroup rather than a domain and that the workgroup names on each machine are identical. Can the two machines "see" each other or at least can one of them see the other? Check in the Network and Sharing Center (right click the histogram in your system tray bottom right on Win7 or wherever Win8 puts it. If either machine can see the other, you are good to go.

You need to enable file sharing on both machines with full read and write permission. From each machine, you should be able to see the disks on the other as network drives. You can then either push the data from the Win7 machine to the Win8 machine or pull the data from the Win7 machine on the Win8 machine.

You will, of course, need to know where all your data is, obviously some/most will be in your My Documents directory tree but some applications, such as office suites, can use their own repositories, so be sure to check it all.

I'll also say it, if you are backing up all your data regularly (and you MUST), then just restore it on to the Win8 machine from your latest Win7 backup. As Bob says, what you don't backup, you lose sooner or later.

Good luck!