Data transfer from one laptop to another?

[_Francesco_]

I've never done this before, so I'm a fair bit oblivious. What would be the most reliable way to transfer 50+GB of data from my old laptop to my new one once I get it? I was reading about USB memory sticks, but then I read about "failure rates" and incompatibilities!

If it's of any relevance, my old laptop is Windows Vista and the new one will obviously be Windows 7.

 

[vanthus]

I would suggest an external hard drive.
Or you could use Windows Easy Transfer.
Windows Easy Transfer supports transfers using any of the following methods:
1) USB Easy Transfer Cable
2) Network connection
3) Removable media (such as a USB flash drive or external hard disk)
you need a special usb cable for the first method,
I used the second method,all you need to do is connect both computers to your router with an ethernet cable then follow the easy tansfer wizard.

 

[_Francesco_]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Core-120Gb-...15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1340801932&sr=1-15

^ Would this be up to the task, then?

When doing this type of indirect transfer, am I likely to encounter any issues uploading from a Vista machine to the drive, and then from that to a Windows 7 machine?

Thanks for the info!

 

[vanthus]

I dont know how good those portable drives are,best read the reviews,also
if it's just to do this one job I dont think it's worth spending £30.
I would give the easy transfer a go,it costs nothing.
Personally I havent had any trouble transferring data files with a USB stick if you transfer a little at a time,It will take a while though.
There should be no problem transferring data files from vista to windows7 whatever method you choose.

 

[_Francesco_]

Will definitely give that a try first, then. Just remembered that ethernet cables are the yellow ones, so I do already have a couple of those. I just hope the wizard you mentioned is straight forward even for a complete newbie!

I'm guessing 32bit to 64bit shouldn't matter, either?

 

[SimonG]

Will definitely give that a try first, then. Just remembered that ethernet cables are the yellow ones, so I do already have a couple of those. I just hope the wizard you mentioned is straight forward even for a complete newbie!

I'm guessing 32bit to 64bit shouldn't matter, either?

Not when transferring files, no.