USB stick or burned CD?
USB storage device is good if you have a USB connection.
Programs have to be installed on the new computer.
They have a gazillion GB... usually..
Don't use the little "backup" software thereon...
Just copy the folders... into open space on thme HD...
Move them onto the desired location on the new machine.
Easiest is a USB drive 4 Gb should work in most cases
2nd easiest would be to do a windows transfer. This requires a working network where both PCs see each other in the same windows domain AND the directories are marked for sharing
3rd easiest is to down load a FTP client/server software. Filezilla http://filezilla-project.org/ has some good software. This solution requires that you have a working network and that you can reach each other with the FTP ports of TCP/20 and TCP/21
4th easiest is to copy the files to a data DVD and then move the DVD over to the other computer and copy over. Pros for this option include a backup that you can put away but you are limited to the size of the back up.
Just burn them to a CD or copy them to a USB memory stick. Writeable CD's are literally pennies apiece, and uou can get a large USB memory stick for $10 or less.
You won't be able to transfer most programs. They will have to be installed from the original media.
On a windows machine, you cannot move programs because the OS will write many diverse files to many unusual locations. You can only move documents. Sadly, while Windows usually keeps most of their documents in the My Documents folder, many of the 3rd party programs do not and create their own directories. You are expected to know what programs you have and where those programs store any files or settings you wish to keep.
They do NOT make it easy and there is NO “Program” that will actually do it for you. Most will take your money and then you will LOSE many files trusting it.
The best thing to do is, network the two PCs the normal way you connect to the net, and then go to your security settings and choose “SHARE” the ENTIRE “C” drive.
That is not something you will want to LEAVE that way, so be sure to turn it OFF when you are totally done.
But if you SHARE ALL, then you can see all, and drag and drop more easily.
You will ALSO want to go to your FILE settings and tell it to SHOW ALL. Since Windows likes to hide some file extensions.
This way you can intelligently pick and choose what FILES to move.
To get all your programs back, you need to freshly reinstall them. You either have the original disks or files stored somewhere or you will have to download them again on the NEW PC and reinstall.
-— Now for the “other” way -—
Buy a new MAC. Apple employees who have moved MILLIONS of users from PC to Mac will move all these items FOR FREE if you buy a new Mac.
You can also RUN Windows on a Mac if you have some unusual programs for which their are no Mac equivalents (very rare these days).
I know you say you just bought a new Sony, but you COULD return it if you haven’t had it more than 15-30 days usually.
In any case, I wish you good luck. Moving data on a PC is not a fun or easy or fast experience.
Wireless will be too slow if you have hundreds of gigabites of files. A direct cable to cable connection between computers will be much faster but you have to set up a network. I use an external usb disk drive enclosure and remove the drive from the old computer. Put it into the usb enclosure and plug it into a usb port on the new computer. It should be recognized as an external drive by the new computer. Then you can transfer the files from the old drive onto the new one very quickly. The usb enclosures cost ~$10.
Where [computername] equals the name of computer1, from computer2 type into the file explorer (without the brackets):
\\[computername]\c$
If you get a password prompt enter an administrator user name and password (probably the one you use now) from computer1.
What happens when you do that? If you get a file listing of computer1’s C drive, just go to “Documents and Settings\[username]” for your documents.
Don’t try transfering programs, it’s difficult and rarely comes out right. Just reinstall on the new computer.
By far the easiest way to transfer files is via a USB memory stick. Networking 2 PCs can be problematic for non-techies. Just use the Windows Explorer (NOT the Internet Explorer) to find and drag copies of files to the stick, and then later from the stick to the other computer. Make a list of all the programs you actually use and determine where they store your data, because some data may not be located in the “MyDocuments” folder. Any programs that you want to run on the new computer must be reinstalled - you cannot simply copy them over.
1. Install Dropbox on each computer.
2. Put files in directory you want to sync.
3. Done!
Install Dropbox here:
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTY0NzY2OQ
Do you have an external hard drive you can transfer your old files to and then hook the drive to the new computer and download them or leave them all on the external drive. As long as it’s not a Maxtor, which has a high fail rate. Western Digital is pretty reliable. Also, get a computer back-up program, such as Carbonite.