Moving files (?) to different computer

13 years ago

Reason to believe hard drive is going and would like to move everything to another computer while I can still retrieve it. Mainly interested in saving bookmarks, a few documents and installed programs.

Computers are nearly identical running XP. Mine getting lots of use for several years, the "new" one gently used for 1 year then boxed up.

From what I've read, I need to back up to a flash drive, so purchased a new 8GB flash drive but not sure where to go from here. Help, please? Thanks, Sandy

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Comments (10)

kudzu9
13 years ago
Right-click on Start, left-click on "Explore All Users," find the files you want to save, and copy them to the flash drive. Go into your browser (whatever that is), and find the option to export your bookmarks to the flash drive. Then, when you have copied everything to your newer computer, keep the flash drive in a safe place so you have a backup when the hard drive in the newer computer crashes without warning. Finally, discipline yourself to do regular backups so new files get saved in a second place. It's not a question of if one's hard drive will fail, only when.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
If you install xmarks on the browser and set it up to save your bookmarks then you can go to the second computer install xmarks on it and have it sync it will automatically put everything you had on the first onto the second plus it keeps them all on a safe website that you have access to from any computer any where, you just need your name and password.
I use it on all of mine. Just be sure to get the version for your browser.
Xmarks. Com

Usually to copy the files to flash drive you can right click on the file name and choose copy to then select the usb flash drive, you want to copy not move or cut, that will leave them on the original drive should you need them there again.
If you want to copy an entire folder just right click on the folder and choose to copy it to the usb flash drive.

Be absolutely sure to use the safety remove icon before removing the flash drive, it will appear down by the clock when the flash drive is inserted into the pc. Always do this.
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breenthumb
Original Author
13 years ago
Kudzu, thanks for that quick way to get into everything. I will keep things backed up now that I know how. I do keep as much as I can in web based email, just for that reason.

Ravencajun, Xmarks is just what I needed. I installed it for FF and IE. Registered with it on FF. ( Is that one registration good for both FF & IE? )But it keeps popping up for me to sign in and then telling me name and PW don't match. I just registered and wrote it down, so couldn't have forgotten it already! I'll try it tomorrow from another computer.

I'm off to copy the other files. Thanks.
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breenthumb
Original Author
13 years ago
Problem solved with xmarks. Must have had a typo the first time around. Just redid password and all's fine. Thanks. That's going to be so useful.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
Excellent glad to help.
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kudzu9
13 years ago
Glad that worked for you. Just make sure you have everything saved that you want. I have files in multiple locations on my hard drive (for example, not all of my documents are in "My Documents), so make sure you got everything. When you are in the "Explore All Users" window, you can do searches (upper right). If you select your C:, and do a search on ".doc" it should locate all of your WordPerfect files; for pictures, ".jpg", or".gif" (or whatever extension your camera uses; etc.
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genes
13 years ago
Before you go too far, if it has been boxed up for a year, make sure you have the latest SP3 update and all the updates since...
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
Definitely get all your updates and make sure you have a current version of your Antivirus program and all current definitions. Plus run Secunia tool to get all your flash, java, adobe etc fully updated so you are protected.
Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)

you can use javara to remove all old outdated java from your pc.
JavaRa
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breenthumb
Original Author
13 years ago
Updates are going to be first. I know for sure it is still on SP2. Also want FF. Waiting for the weekend for good uninterrupted time because they'll take a while. That's kind of what I had in mind for moving files. Mine are all up to date. Not sure if it works that way, but know I'd better do updates first. Just ran Secunia and updated all my malware protection.

Plus I've accumulated a nice array of helpful add-on's and programs along the way (most from this forum, thank you very much) that make using the computer easier/more pleasant in different ways and hoping not to lose them. Thanks for the concern and help. Still open to any more thoughts that might make things go smoothly.
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rangr90
13 years ago
Ravencajun I want to keep my faviorts in the same order i have them in now will xmarks do that for me? Each time i try to save them they came out in A to Z order and i dont want that i want them to come out in the order i have them in. If it does do that for me i'm confused on how to set up xmarks to do that and put on a flash drive to put on a different computer in the order i want them. I have xmarks installed up to sync now but i'm not sure if i'm doing it right and dont want to lose my faviorates can you help me?

Thanks
Rangr90
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Moving files (?) to different computer

Comments (10)

kudzu9

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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Moving files (?) to different computer

Comments (10)

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