New PC setup questions.

[h8go4s]

I have a Windows XP desktop, about 8 years old, and a Win7 laptop, about one year old. I also have a Linksys router and a Western Digital My Book backup hard drive. I want to replace the desktop and I have some questions.

1. I plan to copy files (photos, spreadsheets. etc.) to a flash drive and load them onto the new PC. Is there a better way?

2. What's the easiest way to transfer software from the old desktop to the new one? (Quicken, Norton 360, TurboTax, that kind of stuff.) Some I have cd's and registration codes for, but some was downloaded so those might be a PITA.

3. I assume I'll have to reinstall/reconfigure the router and backup hard drive on the new PC.

4. When I got the laptop, I tried to link it to the desktop so I could sync files between the two and print from the laptop. I could never get that to work. Will I be able to do that with a new Win 8.1 and the Win 7 laptop?

5. I'd like to be able to synch a calendar between my desktop, laptop, and Iphone 4s. Is there a calendar program that can do this?

[Whoaru99]

Copying to an external drive is probably the easiiest. I think you could install Windows Easy Transfer on the XP box to help you pick the folders/files you want to transfer, and I think it should already be on the Win 7 box. If not, you can install it there too.

In the vast majority of cases programs can't simply be copied over to a new computer; they must be (re)installed So, you'll have to use the discs or come up with the installation package.

Shouldn't need to do anything with the router except if you're using wireless security then, of course, put the password in the new computer.

Far as syncing between all that stuff I have no info to offer in that regard.

[upnorth]

I have a Windows XP desktop, about 8 years old, and a Win7 laptop, about one year old. I also have a Linksys router and a Western Digital My Book backup hard drive. I want to replace the desktop and I have some questions.

1. I plan to copy files (photos, spreadsheets. etc.) to a flash drive and load them onto the new PC. Is there a better way? Probably the simplest.

2. What's the easiest way to transfer software from the old desktop to the new one? (Quicken, Norton 360, TurboTax, that kind of stuff.) Some I have cd's and registration codes for, but some was downloaded so those might be a PITA. You want the applications you will need to install them. Windows Registry is what gets you on that.

3. I assume I'll have to reinstall/reconfigure the router and backup hard drive on the new PC. Yep

4. When I got the laptop, I tried to link it to the desktop so I could sync files between the two and print from the laptop. I could never get that to work. Will I be able to do that with a new Win 8.1 and the Win 7 laptop? You will need to get file and print sharing setup, google it, it isn't too hard.

5. I'd like to be able to synch a calendar between my desktop, laptop, and Iphone 4s. Is there a calendar program that can do this?

You will need a calendar that is accessible by all devices. I know yahoo mail has a calendar.

There are tools out that can take an image of a PC/Laptop and reinstall that same image back on another device, but you need a pretty stout PC/server in the middle to handle it and you still wind up with the old OS and any issues that you have will come along with it.

Best to start from with a virgin install and build on that.

[fishnowworknever]

What type of PC's are they? If they are the same brand that manufacturer will have some type of "transfer" software.

Otherwise you have it built in already, or at least available for download. Windows NT Backup and Restore will work for what you want to do for all of your files and settings.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windo...sion-of-windows

If you don't want to do that, drag and drop from old PC to an external drive, drag and drop from external drive to new PC. I'd look at the Microsoft solution above