Upgrade to Windows 7 file transfer from XP or Vista

Whether you upgrade from XP to Windows 7 or Vista, the transfer of files is always a problem. Dr. Mo, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, organized an answer to the question.

Q: Both my wife and I have a Win7 flagship laptop, so our documentation is available on two computers. We use an external hard drive that needs to be wired to the computer to make a backup, and we don't know where the file is. Is there a solution that enables file sharing and keeps my files, my wife's files, and my backup files synchronized?

A: A number of manufacturers of network hard disk can be wireless form of two of computers for backup, to achieve file sharing. One of the most recent tests I've tested is the Western Digital production of my book World Edition. Another option is to use a web-based synchronization service. What I like best is the SugarSync provided by Sharpcast.

SugarSync can automatically and almost immediately sync files in folders you select on multiple computers and back them up to a password-protected network account. The SugarSync is priced at $5 a month, or $50 a year, or more than 30GB per cent for the 30GB document. The company offers a free 2GB account and a larger account for a 30-day free trial. You can find more information on the sharpcast.com.

Q: I used the Windows operating system for many years and now I want to switch to a Mac computer. But every article I read says that even with Windows-compliant software, Quicken can't run on Mac computers, at least not reliably, and I rely heavily on Quicken. Is that so? A: Mac version quicken than the Windows version of the function is less, the use of different file formats, so for many users, the import of Windows Quicken file is a cumbersome, flawed process. Quicken's producer Intuit promised to launch a new, better Mac version of Quicken early next year, which is said to solve the problem, but I haven't tested it yet, so I can't confirm what they say.

However, in my regular tests, Windows version Quicken is running well on a Mac computer that can run Windows and related software. Whether I use parallels or fusion, these are the two kinds of software that allow you to run at the same time on your Mac computer. I also use boot camp in the case of Apple Computer operating system shutdown. Boot Camp can convert a Mac computer to a Windows computer.

Q: I plan to buy a new computer after Windows 7 is launched in October and replace the old Compaq (COMPAQ) computer running Windows XP. Is there a problem with transferring the files to the new computer?

A: You should not have too much problem with your personal data file. Microsoft has built an Easy Transfer program to transfer personal files to a new Windows 7 computer. However, Microsoft's program will not transfer your program to the past. So, you need to reload all the programs, which means you have to find your installation disk or installation files and reload all the updates that have occurred in the past few years. LapLink Company has promised to sell a software, which is said to automate the entire process, including the transfer of programs so that you do not have to be tired of reloading procedures. However, the software has not yet been listed, I have not been tested in Windows 7 environment.