moving all the data from one laptop to another...help

myself | 7-13-14 | TZ

[TurboZamboni]

I was given the gift of a new laptop- HP Pavilion Smartouch 17. not my first choice, but it was a nice gift and the giver knew my old Toshiba Satellite L505-a6946 is dying and that I'm too cheap to buy a new one.

The Satellite uses Vista and the new HP is Windows 8.1 .

I need to know what's the best(easiest) way to move all my data from one to the other including AVG,Hitman Pro, Malwarebytes,emails(Outlook)and other vital programs.

While I'm at it, I assume it came with all sorts of unwanted 'bloatware' so I will need to remove that ,too. (It was a demo model, if that matters)

[minnesota_bound]

Use a USB drive. A 16gb one is $10
http://www.amazon.com/s?rh=n%3A3151491%2Cp_n_size_browse-bin%3A1259715011

I have 2 of these (overkill but I use them for my family photos and videos and movie jukebox for the tv:
WD My Passport Ultra 2TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Auto Backup - Black
http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Ultra-Portable-External-Backup/dp/B00EAS8M0S/ref=lp_3151491_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1405274539&sr=1-4

To move all your files you go to on your old XP pc.
c:\documents & settings then your folder. Your files are in the Desktop, My Documents and Favorites folders.

In Windows 7 it is c:\users folder then your folder. Your files are in the Desktop, Libraries> My Documents etc. and Favorites folders.

Thunderbird email backup
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird

Find Firefox profile to backup the bookmarks and settings.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data

Firefox> Bookmarks> Show all bookmarks.
A seperate window opens. Click on Import and Backup
Click on Backup and also do the Export Bookmarks from HTML
(you will have 2 backups in case anything goes wrong)

IE: File> Import and export

Chrome: Bookmarks. (that button in upper right with 3 lines)
Select Bookmark manager.
Click the Organize menu in the manager.
Select Export bookmarks.

[minnesota_bound]

To remove many programs at one, try “PC Decrapifier” it works in Windows XP, 7, 8
http://pcdecrapifier.com/
Click on Features for screenshots.

[SkyDancer]

Thank you. I’ve received many replies and hints. I appreciate your taking the time to answer.

[SkyDancer]

Thanks - I have a CD drive but it doesn’t record. Another FReper showed me some links where I can use a USB drive to do the same thing. I appreciate your reply.

[SkyDancer]

Thanks for the reply. Several FReepers have suggested I do that. I already have a portable CD drive for my notebook that I use to play movies on but it doesn’t record. The other suggestion I received is to use a USB memory stick. But I had tried that already and all that shows when I want to do the backup is E: CD drive which doesn’t work.

[SkyDancer]

Okay - I’ll give that a try. I have several USB sticks I could use.

[uncommonsense]

Don't forget your bookmarks under:

C:\Users\yourusername\Favorites

If you use Outlook or a local eMail client, don't forget that too!

Copy down all of the keys for your purchased software before your Toshiba dies. You'll need them for reinstalling.

I like the idea of a 32 or 63 GB SD card. Make sure to get a Class 6 or above (much faster xfer).

You can download Microsoft SyncToy here - nice free tool to sync or backup data between devices.

[uncommonsense]

Also, I don’t recommend using a USB Flash drive if you have an SD slot - they’re MUCH slower than a Class 6 or above SD card. If that’s all you have, then brew some coffee and break out a good book.

[mabarker1]

Welcome. Take care.

[kjam22]

For about 20 bucks you can buy an enclosure for the old computer’s hard drive. Hard drive comes out easy, install in the enclosure very easily. This device connects to your new computer via usb. Your computer will read the old hard drive like it would any external device. Put enclosure in your desk drawer and you will always have it and the data.

[kjam22]

I told you wrong... $12 at tiger direct.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Data that you have created or saved (pics, docs) can be easily moved using an external USB drive. Move this data to the USB drive then move the data from the USB drive to the new laptop.

Programs such as AVG, MB, Outlook or Outlook Express, etc. will need to be installed first on the new machine. Moving all of your Outlook contacts and old emails can be done. Google "moving Outlook data to a new PC" and there will be plenty of info on the process. I would suggest switching to Thunderbird email client. It is better than Outlook and making a move like this is easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I have a notebook with no cd drive and I need to make a restore disk.

This is how I did it with my Asus EeePC netbook with no CD_ROM drive.

First, download Macrium Relect imaging software. It's free and it rocks. Install it on the netbook and using an external USB drive, create an image of the entire drive of the netbook.

Then, using Macrium, create an Emergency boot device using a USB thumb drive. The steps are pretty simple and Macrium has all the steps needed. Then just get to the netbook bios and make sure the thing can boot from USB. When you need to do a restore, boot from the USB and have Macrium write the image you took onto the netbook drive.

Of course, you should do a new image to the USB drive on a weekly, or monthly basis depending on how irreplaceable your data is.

[SkyDancer]

Okay, thank you. It’s just a notebook I use when I travel to check email, surf the internet so there’s nothing noteworthy on it. I don’t have a restore disk. I just needed one to restore the OS in case of a crash or some super bug.

[TurboZamboni]

do most new (demo) computers not come with a disk?

(mine came loaded wuth 8.1, but no disk)

[uncommonsense]

All laptops have an internal disk of sorts, but not an SD ‘card’. SD cards are little storage devices used in computers and digital cameras. They`re removable, the internal disk that has the Win OS on it isn`t removable.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I just needed one to restore the OS in case of a crash or some super bug.

Understood. But why restore the OS alone when you can restore an image that brings the unit back to the way you have it set up? With all your preferences, data, applications and personal tweaks...not to mention all the Service Packs and Security Updates that Winders has likely installed.

That is important to me. Maybe not so for others. I happen to think it is worth the effort.

If that's OK with you, contact Microsoft, buy the OS CD-ROM (likely a DVD these days) and then get a USB connected CD/DVD drive, make sure the notebook boots from USB and then you're good to go. You'll only be able to re-install the OS from scratch that way though.

[SkyDancer]

True -

[TurboZamboni]

I checked for that on the old laptop.

apparently it does not work going from Vista to Windows 8,only for going to XP or Windows 2000.

[TurboZamboni]

so far, that is looking like the easiest option.