What's the Best Way to Transition into a new PC?

you could network them. i'd recommend backing the pictures and documents up onto a burnable media anyway (disc or flash drive - they are relatively inexpensive). firefox settings is another thing. I have no idea how to transfer that.

there may be a version issue with firefox transferring (newer version) but you aren't transferring firefox from a windows to linux or mac OS so it should be ok minus the version update.

also, if you're getting vista make sure you've got a decent bit (3 gigs+) of RAM or turn the flashy window borders off otherwise it'll slow up.

thanks man. good ideas. yeah i have 3GB of ram. i was thinking 4 would be overkill

"maynard wrote:

thanks man. good ideas. yeah i have 3GB of ram. i was thinking 4 would be overkill

depends on the speed of the RAM and what you use your computer for on a day to day basis.

I would really put some cash into getting at least a cheap USB drive. Pays dividends down the line when you least expect.

I use 4 gb ram after finding that 3 gb ram is not enough for me. It all depends on what programs you are using...There is a big difference between 3 and 4 gb of ram but again it depends on what kind of programs you are using :)

"anlgp wrote:

you could network them. i'd recommend backing the pictures and documents up onto a burnable media anyway (disc or flash drive - they are relatively inexpensive). firefox settings is another thing. I have no idea how to transfer that.

there may be a version issue with firefox transferring (newer version) but you aren't transferring firefox from a windows to linux or mac OS so it should be ok minus the version update.

also, if you're getting vista make sure you've got a decent bit (3 gigs+) of RAM or turn the flashy window borders off otherwise it'll slow up.

This is good advice and there are services you can disable that will help speed things up.

I would like to mention Windows 7 is on the horizon as well. I have been using the RC for almost a week now with 2 gigs of memory. I have to say I am impresses thus far. Yes...I said impressed with a Microsoft operating system.

I echo the USB drive sentiment as well as the 4GB RAM. I upgraded my home PC from2-4 GB and wow, what a difference in speed. I love my 500 GB external drive too, it holds all my pics and personal things, if my computer goes down at least I have that.

for firefox, i'd use an add on called febe (or something like that. it might have periods, because it's an acronym.)

You didn't really say what settings you want to migrate in Firefox to the new PC but I'm thinking you might be looking for a way to save bookmarks. Go to the Bookmarks pull down and click on Organize Bookmarks, then click on Import and Backup and choose Export HTML. Save the file to the desktop. You will have to put that on a flash or disc. To Import on the other machine once Firefox is loaded just follow the same process and Import HTML instead choose the file and your old bookmarks will be loaded on the new machine.

If you are looking for a way to back everything up I would go the flash drive route. If you don't want to purchase peripherals e-mailing the stuff to yourself will work but it is a pain. You could also put the old hard drive into the new machine and set the jumper as a slave. It will then show up as a seperate drive to transfer data. This method is not recommended for the casual user.

"opfinistic wrote:

I echo the USB drive sentiment as well as the 4GB RAM. I upgraded my home PC from2-4 GB and wow, what a difference in speed. I love my 500 GB external drive too, it holds all my pics and personal things, if my computer goes down at least I have that.

by this opie means porn.

"anlgp wrote:

by this opie means porn.

:no::yes::shifty:

im going to attempt to netowrk my PCs by setting up an FTP server. ill let you know how that works out lol

"maynard wrote:

im going to attempt to netowrk my PCs by setting up an FTP server. ill let you know how that works out lol

just make sure you don't delete anything or reformat your hard drive before you are positive the FTP works

"anlgp wrote:

just make sure you don't delete anything or reformat your hard drive before you are positive the FTP works

well i plan on making this a one time thing. after i get what i need from the old PC, im probably going to get rid of it. not sure what i can use it for

talked to a friend on mine tonight. he said its as simple as plugging both into my router and setting up a network. oh really? lol. i cant do that for my life lol

...You can always get an external hadr drive that you only need to connect it with a USB cable (no plug in needed)... so you can download porn again.... :shifty:

If you are going to get a computer with more than 3 gigs of RAM and with Vista, get a computer with 64 bit Vista. It is actually a very solid OS, especially if it comes preloaded. Now I am using Windows 7 and it is even better. But either way, get the 64 bit version.

As for transferring stuff: backup all documents, pictures, videos, and setup files to a USB jump drive. Everything else like programs you should reinstall.

is vista a piece of crap with a glossy cover? im constantly getting my CPU spiking at 100%. this only rarely happened with my XP system

i cant run a torrent client and hope to get anything done. really disappointed

"maynard wrote:

is vista a piece of crap with a glossy cover? im constantly getting my CPU spiking at 100%. this only rarely happened with my XP system

i cant run a torrent client and hope to get anything done. really disappointed

In most people's opinion :yes:

I do not run Vista regularly so I can not tell you. I know that you can (and should IMO) turn all the flashy window dressing off. Your computer will speed up immensely.

If you haven't bought it yet I would suggest XP while you still can or waiting until 7.

"anlgp wrote:

In most people's opinion :yes:

I do not run Vista regularly so I can not tell you. I know that you can (and should IMO) turn all the flashy window dressing off. Your computer will speed up immensely.

If you haven't bought it yet I would suggest XP while you still can or waiting until 7.

Vista is great for the casual PC user, but I found it had too many 'bells and whistles' and like Steve said, once you shut that sidebar, etc. crap down, it runs a lot better.

"opfinistic wrote:

Vista is great for the casual PC user, but I found it had too many 'bells and whistles' and like Steve said, once you shut that sidebar, etc. crap down, it runs a lot better.

yeah, i always turn the bells and whistles off. i want my computer functional, not to look pretty.

this is how i keep my linux desktops as an example (though it's not my desktop):

"anlgp wrote:

In most people's opinion :yes:

I do not run Vista regularly so I can not tell you. I know that you can (and should IMO) turn all the flashy window dressing off. Your computer will speed up immensely.

If you haven't bought it yet I would suggest XP while you still can or waiting until 7.

i do have it and its the 64 bit version. i hate it already

if anyone wouldnt mind posting their vista display settings and such i would appreciate it

so now i have to wait for windows 7 to come out and drop $200 on it?

i know people are using it now, but what do you do when its expired?

one thing i did that appears to really make a difference is to have vista recognize both cores of my processor. apparently it normally only boots to use one. if i had a quad core, im sure it would help even more