The Bravura Easy Transfer Cable is the fastest way to migrate files, music, photos, and more–from your Windows XP, Vista®, 7 PC to your new Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 PC. Works with Easy Computer Sync Normally, you can only use the Easy Transfer Cable one time to migrate your files to a new computer (with Microsoft's Windows Easy Transfer).
I did couple of searches on this what I thought would be a popular subject. Unfortunately nothing turned up.Just bought a HP desktop running on Windows Vista Home Premium. I have a HP notebook running on XP. Want to transfer most everything over to the new desktop now, and later perhaps want to 'synch' files back-and-forth between the 2 computers.Besides moving external USB HD around, I notice something called 'easy transfer cable' (effectively USB connectors on both ends with a small gadget in the middle of cable). Went online to look for one.
Lo-and-behold, there are millions of them. Read some reviews on some.
Bottom line, I am a bit overwhelmed.Questions:1. Do you have a good brand to recommend?2. How 'easy' is it to use? I want to customize transfer and not necessarily transfer the entire disk.
Can you selectively transfer files? (such as computer the settings and browser bookmarks etc.)3. How do I 'synch' both computers to bring them up-to-date (note that one is on Vista, the other on XP)?Thank you for your suggestions and recommendations. I've used a few of the USB xfer cables - they've all been just 'drag & drop' applications to move files from one machine to the other. You have to load an application on both machines before running. Haven't used one that will allow you to script transfers or sync unfortunately.One that I've just ordered to carry around with my laptop is:Pretty much like the others except you don't need to preload software. When you plug in the USB it loads a stub application for the drag & drop.
Downside is that it only works on Windows, but that's usually where I do the large xfers. I've also used an ethernet crossover cable as well as a cheapie MDI/MDIX switch but I'm too lazy to reset the IP & gateway. I've used a few of the USB xfer cables - they've all been just 'drag & drop' applications to move files from one machine to the other. You have to load an application on both machines before running.
Haven't used one that will allow you to script transfers or sync unfortunately.One that I've just ordered to carry around with my laptop is:Pretty much like the others except you don't need to preload software. When you plug in the USB it loads a stub application for the drag & drop. Downside is that it only works on Windows, but that's usually where I do the large xfers.
I've also used an ethernet crossover cable as well as a cheapie MDI/MDIX switch but I'm too lazy to reset the IP & gateway.Thanks for the heads-up and the link. The Tornado looks good and it addresses part of my needs (PC to PC); but not PC to/from Mac. I like the graphical interface, drag-and drop operation.
Question, you said Tornado loads a 'stub app' for drag-and-drop, is it embedded in the cable roller (the round box between cable ends)? Unfortunately the cable length is only 4 feet, would love to have a longer one (8 ft or longer) due to layout of my 5 computers (2 Macs; 2 PC desktops; 1 notebook PC) in the room. I might get USB cable extender as a compromise.Ideally, it would be great to have one long cable that handles cross platform computers.I agree with you that I don't want to use an ethernet cross-over for the same reason you mentioned.Any other suggestions? Unfortunately the cable length is only 4 feet, would love to have a longer one (8 ft or longer) due to layout of my 5 computers (2 Macs; 2 PC desktops; 1 notebook PC) in the room.
Are these 5 computers ALL standalone? Meaning you dont' have a network hub (say a Linksys or something or the other) to network them together so they share Internet access?Assuming they're all networked, you can easily use either network share on your PC/Mac's - and/or use an online storage site to upload and then download all the data between the PC's.What is it that you're trying to do exactly? If all you're trying to do is keep files in sync, you may be best off with a NAS (Network Attached Storage) - again assuming you have a network - and if you don't - honestly get one - it's cheap.If you need more details, let me know will be happy to provide. Are these 5 computers ALL standalone?
Meaning you dont' have a network hub (say a Linksys or something or the other) to network them together so they share Internet access?Assuming they're all networked, you can easily use either network share on your PC/Mac's - and/or use an online storage site to upload and then download all the data between the PC's.What is it that you're trying to do exactly? If all you're trying to do is keep files in sync, you may be best off with a NAS (Network Attached Storage) - again assuming you have a network - and if you don't - honestly get one - it's cheap.If you need more details, let me know will be happy to provide.Thanks for the offer to assist.
All 5 computers are essentially standalone (most are task-oriented, such as simulation, modeling; not all computers need to have same files). That said, they are all connected to the internet via a router (that is also WiFi capable). 2 are connected via cat 5 cables to router, balance are via WiFi.My basic needs are (currently done by connecting and disconnecting external USB hard drives around, a real pain!!!!!):(1) file sharing (certain files to selected computers) and settings transfer whenever needed. Among PCs and Macs (OS X)(2) Prefer to 'synch' everything with 2 of the computers (both are PCs, 1 Vista & 1 XP, sort of my home-brewed version of redundancy and backup.Willing to buy any hardware needed.
Does NAS solve the redundancy/backup issue? If it does, would consider it.Aside, I am currently shopping for more external storage anyway (2 TB capacity). For the WinTels, anyway.
Just run the Network Setup Wizard, giving each of your computers unique names within a common 'workgroup' designation, and their files will be visible to one another through the router. Define some network shares (folders/directories to be accessible from without) and you're dancing. If you name your computers and shares judiciously, you can then refer to them as (for example) simulationsecologyoutcomes.rtfm or the like, where 'simulations' is the name of the computer, 'ecology' is the shared directory, and the last part is the file name. OK - so bottom line, they're all attached to a single router - hence they are not standalone, they are in a peer to peer network. Given this - if your intent is to synchronize files and backup/redundancy. In my opinion - here's what I would do.1) Get an ETHERNET based NAS, such as one from OR check out or other equivalent retailers for NAS (for example)2) Once you run the setup (probably from a Windows PC) you will be able to access from both PC's and MAC's (and some of them from the Internet if you allow it). So now it's a matter of getting the files over to the NAS device.
Most of the NAS systems come with software that regularly backs up the PC/MACs as you desire (with the folders that you want to backup) - so you can use that.3) I actually do full disk backups using Acronis TrueImage on the 3 PC's and 2 laptops that I have. Now I have all Windows so its a smidgen easier. Additionally I have to sync 2 PC's with 2 laptops very regularly. As such I use I'm fairly certain it's PC only - but I'm guessing there's a similar product (or perhaps it's built in) for the Mac.So once the NAS is setup, run a utility to sync/backup your PC's to the NAS (shared drive) on a regular basis. That takes care of backup - for redundancy well the fact that your data is now in 2 places is technically redundancy - but if you really wanted to be safe a lot of the NAS drives can be setup with RAID 1 - mirroring - so that you would put in 2 750GB drives (for example) - and end up with just 750 GB of 'storage' - the 1st drive would automatically be 'mirrored' onto the 2nd drive - thereby giving you more redundancy.All a matter of where you want to go. And how safe you want to be.Good luck.
Thanks for the offer to assist. All 5 computers are essentially standalone (most are task-oriented, such as simulation, modeling; not all computers need to have same files). That said, they are all connected to the internet via a router (that is also WiFi capable). 2 are connected via cat 5 cables to router, balance are via WiFi.My basic needs are (currently done by connecting and disconnecting external USB hard drives around, a real pain!!!!!):(1) file sharing (certain files to selected computers) and settings transfer whenever needed. Among PCs and Macs (OS X)(2) Prefer to 'synch' everything with 2 of the computers (both are PCs, 1 Vista & 1 XP, sort of my home-brewed version of redundancy and backup.Willing to buy any hardware needed.
Does NAS solve the redundancy/backup issue? If it does, would consider it.Aside, I am currently shopping for more external storage anyway (2 TB capacity). That’s sound great. This looks like it would satisfy my needs for backup, redundancy and synching.I suppose the D-LINK vs other NAS (as shown in the NewEgg web link) boils down to the following: (let me know if my understand is correct).1. D-LINK requires self installation of 2 identically (optimized) sized SATA drives. Hence perhaps cheaper and can get larger density drives. If I go the D-LINK route, what are best brand and specs for SATA drives (500 GB+ each)?
I do need the highest data rate (both read and write) possible. Is the hardware installation uncomplicated by simply following instructions? Any software required?
If so what are they and where I can get them?2. Can you provide a link to Acronis TrueImage?3. On the PC side, GoodSync fulfills my needs; and can’t beat the price. Thanks for the tip. Is the installation straightforward, like menu driven?
I am not a geek.4. Looking downstream, What if I need more storage capacity, can I add more D-LINK NAS? Is stackable storage a better solution in terms of expandibility (many products shown on the NewEgg web link are stackable)?Sorry for having so many questions and thanks in advance for your time. We found others but they all required drivers to be loaded which we cannot load on our computers.Hope it works well for you! Still waiting on mine but have also found that it's available on staples.com with free delivery.And to allset2travel - Yes, the Tornado has all the 'smarts' loaded in the firmware which is in the plastic case of the device.Also wanted to throw in 2c re: NAS.
I haven't used the D-Link device, but the Netgear is not ready for prime time IMO. Please check the user reviews on Newegg when considering these boxes (disregard the outliers and you can see a pretty good trend regarding the stability of most of the NAS devices). If you have an old junker computer you might consider putting it in service with FreeNAS, which is an open-source BSD-based server. I have a small server-farm at home and FreeNAS was by far the easiest application to set up.
Works well with Windows, OSx, & Linux. Regarding hard drives - the new WD 750Gb has been getting pretty good reviews as a server drive.
About $180 street price. For raw speed the WD Raptors are hard to beat, they run at 10K RPM vs 7.2K. I run a pair of them in RAID 1 but you're limited to 150Gb/drive. For inexpensive the Seagate Barracuda 500 Gbs aren't bad, about $100 street, pretty quiet and low-power while running but they do require a larger than normal inrush current when spinning.Anyway I'm sure there'll be a lot of other opinions regarding hardware, etc., but NAS is a good thing to have on a network.Oh yeah, you can add multiple NAS devices to your network, just have to assign each one its own private IP address.Good luck! Zarf4,Appreciate your re-confirming that NAS is a good solution.The idea of making an old junker (Yes, I have one Mac fits the description) into a server is quite interesting.
How To Use Belkin Easy Transfer Cable
I will check out the open-source NAS per your suggestion. Did take a brief (very brief) look at the DOWNLOAD page of FreeNAS web site. A bit confused as to what exactly would I need from there to download (assume I may run it on a Mac OSX)?I do like the Seagate Barracuda 500Gb, best price/performance trade-off.Good to know that there is no issue when I need to add more storage later.Please keep them coming (all you expert NAS folks out there)! Just love this FT forum! I've used the D-Link box myself, it's quite good - I use it with a pair of Seagate 750GB drives setup as RAID 1 for more than I need redundancy. I like doing it this way because I can generally get it done far cheaper than purchasing the whole 'kit' myself.Using an old computer and FreeNas - great idea, honestly - but it does take quite a bit of effort - hence why I went the D-Link route.
If you run out of space, you can either 'upgrade' the drives (to 1TB or higher depending on drive sizes out there) or get a second D-Link and 'split' what you backup to either one. As long as you have free ethernet ports on your router (and remember you can get bigger routers or daisy chain routers - so you could have lots of ports) - you can keep adding D-Link NAS's.However, if you truly feel that you are going to run out of space easily and need a very robust backup solution do look at or - your only other option is FreeNAS and a 'older' machine.
But mind you this will get pricey.Lastly - Acronis TrueImage is - it's not free but is very good. And easy to use.Oh also, GoodSync - really easy to use. You select your source and destination folders (you can do this many times) - and click Analyze and then click Synchronize - that's it.
How To Use Belkin Easy Transfer Cable
In this article, we will see how to use Zinstall Windows Easy Transfer to transfer your profile, settings, documents, pictures, music, movies, favorites, wallpaper and other stuff to your new Windows 10 or Windows 8.Windows Easy Transfer was originally included in Windows 7, and allowed users to do a transfer from their old computer to a new one. It was not always easy, and only transfer some of the files, without programs, but it was definitely better than nothing. In Windows 10 and Windows 8, Easy Transfer is no longer available out-of-the-box. Fortunately, Microsoft community has already created a 3rd-party Windows Easy Transfer alternative, as you will see below.Note: this guide relates to a transfer from one computer to another computer running Windows 10. If you are upgrading to Windows 10 in-place, on the same physical computer, please see. How to use Windows Easy Transfer and copy files and documents to a Windows 10 or Windows 8 computer. Run on your current computer (the one you are transferring from).Note: You can.
It transfers your documents and settings.