If your new computer is replacing an old computer, you may have personal data files, Internet settings, a printer or other peripheral devices, and other unique computer settings that you want to move from your old computer to your new one. Read this chapter to learn about:
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Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard |
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Transferring Files |
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Transferring Internet Settings |
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Installing your old printer or scanner |
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Installing your old programs |
Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
If your new computer is running Windows XP, you can move your data files and personal settings, such as display, Internet, and e-mail settings, from your old computer to your new one by using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. The wizard also moves specific files or entire folders, such as My Documents, My Pictures, and Favorites.
To open the Files
and Settings Transfer Wizard:
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Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. |
Transferring files
You can manually transfer your personal data files by copying them to removable media, such as a diskette, writable CD or DVD, or Zip disk, or by using a home network. For more information, see Using a recordable drive.
Finding your files
Many programs automatically save your personal data files in the My Documents folder. Look in your old computer's My Documents folder for personal data files. Use Windows Find or Search to locate other personal data files. For more information, see To find files using Find or Search:, or see Searching for files.
To find files in
the My Documents folder:
- In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Documents. The My Documents window opens and displays many of your saved personal data files. Go to Step 4.
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- OR -
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In Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, double-click the
My Computer icon on the desktop. Go to the next step.
You can often identify different data file types by looking at the file's extension (the part of the file name following the last period). For example, a document file might have a .DOC extension and a spreadsheet file might have an .XLS extension.
File type File usually ends in...
To find files using
Find or Search:
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In Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, click Start, Find or Search,
then click For Files or Folders. The Search Results window opens.
- Use Windows Find or Search to locate data files by file name or file type. For help on finding files, click Help, then click Help and Support Center or Help Topics. For more information, see "Searching for files".
Transferring Internet settings
You can use different methods to transfer your Internet account from your old computer to your new one.
Setting up your ISP
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If your current Internet service provider (ISP) software came preinstalled on your new computer, run that setup program. If it asks to set up a new account or an existing one, choose to set up an existing account. |
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If your current ISP software is not preinstalled on your new computer, locate the original Internet setup program provided by your local ISP, or contact your ISP to see if they have an updated version of their software, and install it on your new computer. |
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If you use MSN as your ISP, or if you know your ISP settings, use the Windows Internet Connection Wizard. |
To use the Internet
Connection Wizard:
Transferring your e-mail and address book
See your old e-mail program's online help for information on exporting and importing e-mail messages and the address book. You can often export all of your old e-mail messages or address book to a diskette, then import them from the diskette into your new computer's e-mail program. You may also want to consider printing the old information or using your old computer to send the e-mail messages to yourself, then using your new computer to retrieve the e-mail messages.
Transferring your Internet shortcuts
You can export and import your old Netscape Navigator bookmarks or Microsoft Internet Explorer favorites. For more information, see your Internet browser program's online help.
Installing your old printer or scanner
Windows may have built-in support for older printers, scanners, or other peripheral devices. This means you do not need any additional software. Newer devices, however, usually require your original software installation CDs or diskettes.
If you have trouble after you install the software for your old devices, you can use System Restore to restore your computer's previous settings.
Installing a USB printer or scanner
Installing a parallel port printer
To install your old
printer:
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If Windows does not detect the printer, go to the next step.
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- OR -
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In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control
Panel window opens.
For more information about installing a printer in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword installing a printer in the HelpSpot Search box
, then click the arrow.
See your peripheral device's user guide for installation information and tips. Because most installation software is periodically updated, you should also check the manufacturer's Web site for software updates.
Installing your old programs
You probably use some programs that did not come installed on your new computer, such as personal finance software, graphics programs, or games.
Spend some time going through your old computer's Start and Programs menus, making note of any programs you want to install on your new computer. Locate your original program installation CDs and installation guides. Your original CDs and guides should contain any serial numbers or product ID keys that may be required for program installation and registration. Remember to check the publisher's Web site for important program updates.
If your new computer comes with a newer version of a program, it is usually better to use the newer version than to reinstall the old one.
If you have trouble after installing your old programs, you can restore your computer's previous settings using System Restore.