Computer Bytes - No. 49 Whether you have just purchased a new computer; want to move selected files to another computer at a different location; or have a second computer at home you want to use, moving files from one computer to another can be accomplished in different ways. First, gather information on the data and programs you want to move. Data may exist as text, graphics or numbers, while a program is the application used to manipulate the data. Use discretion when importing or transferring files. Transferring the entire contents of an old computer to a new one will not only result in the transfer of any problems you may have had but may also result in certain settings not being compatible due to a different operating system. Therefore, I don't recommend transferring programs but rather installing them from the original disks. Data you will most likely want to move will be your Favorites or Bookmarks; your email address book, calendars, word processing templates, and any other files with personal information. Once you have decided what you want to transfer you will need to decide how to make it happen. For your Favorites and Bookmarks you will want to 'export' them from the old computer and 'import' them into the new computer. If you have Windows, this is easily done through the Import/Export Wizard. If you are importing old files to a new computer where Vista is the operating system, there is very little difference in the steps and you will not have any problem following the prompts. (See Computer Bytes No. 38.) To import data from one computer to another computer, the computers must have a compatible drive. This can be a floppy disk, a memory stick or jump drive. Another option is to burn the data to a CD and then use this CD to import the information into the new computer. Transferring data can more easily be accomplished. You select the data to be transferred either from the file's open program or from the 'C' Drive itself. Once selected and highlighted, you right click the mouse and send the files to the designated, compatible drive. Insert the device with the transferred data into the new computer's compatible drive, open the file and save it in its new location. If you do not have a compatible drive there is an alternate method if both computers have access to the Internet, and that is to send yourself an email with the file(s) attached. The only problem you might encounter would be if your email program has limits to the size of the attachments allowed. If the files to be transferred are extremely large, you may want to compress or zip them to speed the process. Once the email has been sent, retrieve it on the destination computer, open the attachment and save the data to its new location. Thought - If you are importing and transferring files from an old computer to a new one, don't get rid of the old computer right away - keep it for a few weeks. If you are like me, you will most likely find there is something you will need. Moncrief Web2 Home Page Moncrief Web Design Computer Bytes Index Web Design | Search Engine Optimization | Site Maintenance & Management | Request Information | About Us ~ Sample Sites Send Us an Email | Home Page Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Computer Bytes articles may not be reprinted, published, quoted, copied, or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of David Moncrief.