Data Transfer, laptop to laptop - Computer Technical Help

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Data Transfer, laptop to laptop

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03-18-2011 , 11:36 AM

farmbag72

newbie

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35

Ever get the feeling that the question you are about to ask is just a stupid question?...

Just got a new laptop. Is it possible to connect my old laptop to my new laptop via USB to transfer files I need on the new laptop? Sort of like connecting an external HDD?

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03-18-2011 , 02:55 PM

jmark

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,790

Yes, if you get a "windows easy transfer cable"

You can also connect them both onto the same network (say your wireless network at home) and do the "windows easy transfer" over the network.

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03-18-2011 , 04:43 PM

farmbag72

newbie

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmark

You can also connect them both onto the same network (say your wireless network at home) and do the "windows easy transfer" over the network.

Any idea of where to look for a step-by-step guide? Does it matter if 1 laptop is Vista & the other is 7? I've found a few guides but they haven't worked.

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03-18-2011 , 05:10 PM

jmark

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,790

I haven't done it myself, but just try running easy transfer on the new laptop -- allegedly it will take care of everything for you. If you're having trouble over the network you might give the cable a try.

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03-19-2011 , 12:14 AM

farmbag72

newbie

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmark

I had no idea that was even an option. Thank you!! I'll thank you again AFTER I get this to work. Is an easy transfer cable simply a USB cable? What is the "lump" in the middle of it?

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03-19-2011 , 12:44 AM

hennerz

2008 uNL WSOP Champion

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,566

Any idea how to do this for mac > windows XP?

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03-19-2011 , 05:24 AM

wellju

BSOD and racetrack Ninja

Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 5,247

Get a short Cat5 RJ45 crossover ethernet cable for <10$.

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03-19-2011 , 06:09 AM

hennerz

2008 uNL WSOP Champion

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,566

ty got a 2m for £0.77 on amazon

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03-19-2011 , 06:17 AM

jmark

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,790

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmbag72

I had no idea that was even an option. Thank you!! I'll thank you again AFTER I get this to work. Is an easy transfer cable simply a USB cable? What is the "lump" in the middle of it?

It looks like a USB cable, but with both ends the same -- the lump in the middle is probably a USB controller that allows each computer to think it's connected to a USB device.

The other option is to buy a USB laptop drive enclosure and put your old harddrive in that and hook it to the new computer. Then it will look like an external USB drive to the new computer. But that involves opening up the old laptop to remove the hard drive.

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