Well me new computer parts will be coming around wed. Just wondering what is the best way to move my old files to my new comp? Would it work to put the new Hard Drive in the old comp,transfer everything then put it in the new case?

I'd build the new computer, install your OS and do your partitions how you will, then I'd put the old hard drive in the new computer, but that's just me. You can't put your old files on the new hard drive before you install your OS on the new hard drive unless you cut out a partition for your OS and your data (otherwise when you install the OS you will overwrite all your files and lose them)


Well, actually if it was me, I'd just connect my backup to it and send the maybe ~50 or so small, new files to the new computer over the network

Assuming you're not scavenging your old pc for important bits, I'd go even further and keep the old pc, hook them both into the network, and just leave the files on the old pc/old hard drive & access them when needed via the network.

Edit: in other words, all you need is a network cable and a monitor switchbox.

No. File redundancy is of the utmost importance, so having a local copy, a networked copy and a non-networked copy is the way to go. I already have a copy of all my files on the network.


Linux headless samba server is the way to go.

LOL.....too true.
Copy on the old machine, copy on the new machine, copy on the 2nd hard drives on both machines and copy on 2 external drives. There's no such thing as too many copies...at least for important stuff. For things like save games or whatever I just leave them on whatever pc the game is installed on. Don't really care. Occasionally too much file redundancy bites me in the butt because I can't recall where I put that most recent version of something and waste time hunting for it. haha...silly me.

Old hard drive is in a borrowed computer, so its borrowed. lol. Is this "Partition" stuff going to be easy?

Partitioning a hard drive isn't hard, but I would probably just share the files over a network. Or, assuming the old HDD still works, add it to the computer after you install the OS. (You could do it before you install the OS, but then you run the risk of a program being over-zealous in its formatting of hard drives and deleting everything).

This is not entirely true. There are some OS-es that you can install without wiping existing data.

I think he is saying he needs to return the existing machine before he finishes the new one will be built. Also sharing over a network to transfer files is sooooo insanely slow compared to a direct connection. The second reason being why I'd not put the data on the new hard drive until after the OS is installed. The risks may not be great, but since the OP has no data redundancy, they are still too great to do it.

So I still say the best option is to ask your friend or whoever you borrowed your current PC from for a little more time, build your new rig (which it is possible you got a bad part, hence you'll want to keep the old rig for a bit longer until everything checks out), take the hard drive out of the borrowed rig (don't worry, you'll put it back) and copy the files over. Then put the old hard drive back into the borrowed rig


Even so, you have to be bloody insane to risk your data like that. No data redundancy and doing something highly volatile with your partition does not sound like good advice to me.

You have to be insane not to have backups of valuable data in the first place.

Installing OS on a partition can be volatile with some OS-es, but I assure you that I installed my OS on numerous occasions over existing data without any loss. Of course you have to make sure not to accidentally reformat the partition before installing

Issues like this are why I'm glad the most important thing on my computer are pictures or save game files. LOL.

That's pretty valuable data IMO, as it's extremely hard to replicate

Ok cool, Ill probably do what Defron says, But will it still work if one comp is 7 and the other vista?

Also, when I do put it together what are some suggestions to hook the antistatic wristband to? And will there be any install order for all the parts?

if you insist on using the band you can just attach it to anything grounded or metal. personally, i build my computers in my kitchen on a lenolium floor wearing nothing but boxers that i bought specifically for building cause they dont make static. i just touch the case once in a while.

crap.......now i have to look up lanolium cause it keeps showing up in spellcheck and i dont think i have ever typed it before. LOL

Like what!? XD

I have fake hardwood floor, I just don't want to risk anything being damaged from shock.

its spelled lenoliem. that sort of vinyl flooring.

You are just copying files. You'll never even boot into the other OS (more than likely you couldn't even if you tried). Just make sure not to accidentally delete any system files.


Install order: PSU->motherboard standoffs->motherboard would be the only thing I'd actively follow. After that I'd probably go CPU/RAM/GPU followed by any drives. Drives are last since they have the cables and I would want everything else in before having cables going everwhere and to have the best idea for cable management.


http://megatokyo.com/strip/70 http://megatokyo.com/strip/528, http://megatokyo.com/strip/653 http://megatokyo.com/strip/662 http://megatokyo.com/strip/895 http://megatokyo.com/strip/914 http://megatokyo.com/strip/918 http://megatokyo.com/strip/922

Not really an option always for me (can't strip at work ) plus the antistatic wrist strip is just an extra bit of precaution, so I always consider it a good idea

thanks for the links...........thats not actually that far off from how i do it.

Then obviously the OS is last. I also do not have the option to be naked, I have a roommate. lol

I live in Wisconsin, it is winter here, I am talking negative 5-20 on a cold day. The parts are coming Via UPS, I am worried about the cold ruining them. I will more than likely be gone when UPS drops the packages off, what type of precautions should I take, I wonder if the boxes will be insulated enough. (Probably not)

Would an electronic heat register work as a ground?

Bump.

An external USB hard drive would work great. Copy your old files onto one then transfer it to the new machine once you have everything installed. They are not too expensive, but maybe a little more than you want to spend. Very handy. If you can't afford one, a USB thumb drive is very inexpensive, but can only hold a couple Gb, so that might take a while depending on how much data you have. I would not be without an external hard drive or a thumb drive, because my main gaming/music computer is not connected to the internet.

Hmmm...It's possible.

I live in Wisconsin, it is winter here, I am talking negative 5-20 on a cold day. The parts are coming Via UPS, I am worried about the cold ruining them. I will more than likely be gone when UPS drops the packages off, what type of precautions should I take, I wonder if the boxes will be insulated enough. (Probably not)

Would an electronic heat register work as a ground?

While I am definitely for the idea in the long-run (data redundancy is an important thing), it is a horrible idea for the circumstance.

1. USB is much slower than SATA

2. It would mean copying once to the external drive and then once again to the new machine, making any transfer take at least twice as long (ignoring the slowdown due to using USB instead of SATA)

However, as I said, I think the OP should definitely get some backup system in place after the new rig is built.


http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/shipping/time/service/value_added/hold_pickup.html


What that is I don't even know. For grounding yourself while working on the rig? A water pipe is your best bet for grounding yourself.

I don't have any access to water pipes, I live in an apartment.

What type of backup system do you suggest?