Great moves for file migration

You have bought a new computer, but now you are faced with a headache: transfer all the programs, files, and settings in the old computer to the new brain. How can we complete this "big migration" in the fastest and most efficient way "?

In three common cases, I recommend a solution.
From Windows XP to Windows Vista:Microsoft's latest Windows Vista has a good built-in "Migration" software: Windows Easy Transfer, it helps users transfer files, email accounts and messages, settings, and favorites to new computers.

With the Windows Easy Transfer software, you can choose to Transfer information through network transmission, recording CD and DVD, or store data to an external hard disk. However, I only tested the simplest practice and recommended it by Microsoft: using a dedicated transmission line called Easy Transfer cable, Belkin produces the best quality, the price is USD 40, and the electric appliance store and www.belkin.com/easytransfercable/website are both sold. However, this method can be used only when the old computer uses the latest SP2 version of Windows XP.

During the test, I first installed the Belkin Transmission Line driver on an old computer that uses Windows XP and used the Vista computer without having to install the driver), and then connected the transmission line, turn on the Windows Easy Transfer software on both computers and follow the prompts to perform the operation. The whole process is simple and fast, and more than 11,000 documents, music, pictures and videos are transmitted in total. The capacity reaches 10.9 GB, and it takes about 40 minutes. The transferred files and settings are stored under a new user name on the Vista computer.

Windows Easy Transfer even allows you to choose which documents need to be moved and which ones can be skipped. However, it also has shortcomings, that is, it cannot transmit programs, so users can only manually reinstall. Microsoft is testing a Transfer program named Windows Easy Transfer Companion, which can be downloaded from Microsoft com/downloads.

In addition, after the transfer is complete, my computer will experience a blue screen crash, but it will return to normal again after the restart.

I also tested another Software that can use Belkin transmission lines or other Branded-like transmission lines): The PCMover developed by Laplink Software. The software is priced at $50 and bundled with transmission lines for $60. It not only moves files and settings, but also programs. In my tests, the software did a good job. It took about three hours to transmit 2G programs and files. It also stores the transmitted content under a new user name on the Vista computer.

However, PCMover can only move all files and does not allow users to choose to move content.

Worse, one of the transferred programs cannot be used on Vista computers because of the lack of some internal components.
In this way, the transfer program either succeeds or fails. On the one hand, it is because Windows stores the program on the hard disk in a very complicated way, and on the other hand, it is because some programs can only be used on the first computer installed, it cannot be started when it is moved to another computer.

The Tornado is another transmission line that you can choose from. The price is USD 60 and is available on www.thetornado.com. This transmission line can be freely scaled. The advantage is that no additional software is required. The program is built into the transmission line and displayed after being inserted into the computer. Its disadvantage is that the software is completely manual. You must select the content to be moved in a window and drag and drop it to another window, these two windows represent two computers for file transfer.

In the test, this transmission line also performs well, and the transmission process is somewhat lengthy. If you are not a computer expert, you cannot easily transmit settings and programs, because you do not know where to find all the necessary files.

Migrate from XP to Macintosh

Moving from a Windows XP computer to a Macintosh computer: If you buy a new Apple Macintosh computer instead of a Vista computer, file transfer is more convenient and you do not need any transmission lines at all. When you purchase at an apple store, they will help you transfer images, music, movies, and other files on old Windows computers to your new computer at no cost. If you bought it elsewhere, such as an online store, the store will transfer files for you for $75.

You can use the Parallels software Transporter to run the Windows operating system on the Apple Computer, which can transmit all the content on the Windows computer to the Windows environment of the Apple Computer. However, this type of transmission can only be completed through the network, and the transmitted files are not easily accessed by Apple computer programs. Please visit www.parallels.com/products/#top/transporter/for detailed information.

None of the above operations have been tested.

Transmission between Macintosh: Over the years, all new Apple computers have excellent built-in transmission software. Based on my experience, this software is simple, fast, and fully functional. It works through a common Firewire connection line, which is available in the appliance store and priced as low as 4 dollars. The software can transmit all types of files, settings, and even programs. Users can also choose the content to move. The transmission time is generally 2-5 hours. I have been using this software for the past few years and it has never disappointed me.

All in all, no matter which type of computer you purchase, the file "big migration" process is not perfect, but it is easier and more convenient than before.