Hi,

I purchased this cable in order to transfer my files from my older XP to my Windows 7 machine. Before I open the package I have a couple of questions about how to use it and would appreciate any info anyone might have about this product.

I have looked at sites that have said that it is easy to do but that you have to run the set-up disc on both the old computer and the one that you want to transfer the files to. My new computer is all set up and I had some trouble with the wireless set up so I am a little bit nervous about disconnecting it. When I bought the Belkin cable, the salesman said that all I need to do is plug in the old computer. He made it sound like I plug it in and then attach the cable between the two computers. However, if the olde computer isn't connected to a monitor how will I install the software for it?

Do I have to run the software on both computers? If so, then do I have to unhook my new PC and hook up the old one again so that I can do this? When I hook my new computer back up, will I have to run the set-up again? The thought of that makes me very nervous because of all of the trouble I have had with my router and the new computer.

Do I connect the old computer to the new one using the cable?

I have an external hard drive but it is very difficult to use and I can't seem to figure it out so I bought a flash drive and tried to load all of my files onto it from my old computer. I couldn't see the files that I wanted to transfer (mostly itunes). I assume they are on there but I couldn't see them on the flash drive.

Apparently I don't seem to know how to use these external devices so I am worried that this Belkin "Easy" Transfer Cable will be confusing to me, as well.

How easy is it to use this cable?

Thanks very much.

I don't think you need to disconnect anything if the computer is using wireless. If you're talking about unplugging a cable that was used when you programmed the wireless router, unplugging that shouldn't affect your wireless connection. You only need that cable plugged in when you're programming.


He probably assumed both computers had monitors. You'll need to plug the old computer into a monitor so you can see what you're doing when you install the software. If you have a KVM switch, you can use the same monitor for both computers and switch between them with the KVM. Otherwise I think you'll need to borrow a monitor from somewhere.


Yes.


There is a pdf file with the instructions here
http://en-us-support.belkin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2820
It takes you step by step what you need to do.

It appears both computers will have to be running at the same time during the transfer. If you don't have an extra monitor, keyboard, and mouse for the second computer, you're probably best off getting a KVM switch so you can use the same monitor, keyboard, and mouse with both.


As long as you attached everything the way it was before turning it back on, I don't think the computer would know the difference. But since you have to have both computers on during the transfer, there's nothing to be gained by unhooking the new computer.



The cable attaches through USB ports. Any USB port on the old computer to any USB port on the new computer.


If you copied the files directly to the flash drive, they should show up. If you used some weirdo backup software, there's no telling what format they're in or whether they're designed to be hidden. Since you can't see the files on the flash drive, I'd format the flash drive and copy the files over again. Unless you have 100 GB of files trying to download onto a 32 GB flash drive and messed up the formatting, you should see the files.


Apparently it's pretty easy if you have two computers that are both running at the same time. Since you don't, the least expensive solution is to either borrow a monitor from someone or buy a KVM so you can use the same monitor with both.

I'm assuming you don't want to remove the hard drive from the old computer yourself and install it in the new computer or in an external hard drive enclosure.

Jenny100,

Well, I just knew that it wouldn't be simple for me to do. I am unfamiliar with a KVM switch but will try to find out more about it. Is a KVM switch easy to use (from a non-techie viewpoint)?

No, I don't want to try and remove my hard drive from the older computer. That is Way beyond me and I am giving this computer to my son. He is in school and has been trying to do his papers etc. on a laptop. It still works fine but doesn't have enough "oomph" to run the newer games.

I am also going to plug the flash drive into my new computer to see if maybe my files are there. I couldn't find them on the other one.

Thanks for your help.

Jenny has it all covered for you - since you already have the equipment, if you can borrow a monitor from someone, that appears to be the easiest way to do it.

I have a nifty little thing called Crossbox. It actually does what you are wanting to do. You don't even have to install software unless one of the computers is Windows 98. You just plug one cable in one computer and the other cable in the other computers. Then BOTH your computers show up on the same screen. No need for another monitor or a KVM switch. Then you just drag and drop files from one computer to the other.

I've used mine on 98 to XP and XP to XP, but I've not used it on Windows 7. I'd test it out, but I only have one computer at the moment.

Why don't you just copy the files you want to move to a flash drive and copy them to the new computer?

Draclvr,

That Crossbox sounds like what I need! I looked into the KVM and they are kind of pricey for a one time only use. Plus the headache of trying to figure out how to work everything. I have an older monitor that I can dig up and try but am wondering about it. Do I just plug the older computer into an outlet with the monitor attached or does it need to be attached to the Internet?

I couldn't figure out how to copy the files into the flash drive. I didn't get a prompt or anything to do it. I just plugged it in and let it copy. when I tried to view the files, I couldn't. Nothing ever seems to be easy for me when it comes to PC hardware issues :(

I just put the flash drive into my new computer. It listed a bunch of things, one of them being iTunes. I clicked on it and got an error message "The drive or network shortcut connection iTunes.ink that the network refers to is unavailable. Make sure that the disc is properly or that network resource is available and then try again.
None of the other links on the flash drive worked either.

If you can dig that old monitor out, that would be great. All you have to do is plug the monitor in to the back of the computer and turn it on. No internet is required for any of this actually.

To copy files to the flash drive all you have to to is right click a file and select Copy. Then navigate to your flash drive and open it up. Right click and select Paste and your file should then copy to the flash drive.

gatsby once you plug the flash drive into a USB port it should be seen by the computer and run its own install routine. Once it's installed itself you use the flash drive like you use a hard drive to store or run files.

Since you want to store files, or transfer them, you can do the right click on a file, choose copy, find the flash drive icon, right click on it and choose paste. Or when you right click on the file choose send to and see if the flash drive is listed. If the flash drive is listed then click on the flash drive as the location you want the file sent.

I don't know if all flash drives are the way mine is but I have to choose the safely remove removable drive from the task bar before removing the flash drive from the computer.

I know nothing about transferring files but for the ITunes, wouldn't they be available on your ITunes account? I know in my case where there are two IPhones and one ITouch on my account I have to authorize the computers I want to use the account. You would have to deauthorize the old one and authorize the new computers. I think you can only authorize five computers and you might not want that on the one you are giving away.

You might be getting that message on your flash drive if you don't have ITunes already open.

It sounds like what is on her flash drive is a link which may not work from the drive. I don't have or use iTunes, so don't know how it works.

I didn't know about that. It would be great if my songs are on my account. I will try to see if that is the case since I haven't had much luck with flash drives etc. Thank you!

Of course you would have to install ITunes on the new computer, then open it, go to the ITunes store
on the left side, then on the next page account on the right side. You will probably have to sign in at least once, maybe twice if it doesn't recognize the computer. From there you can find your purchase history, there are tutorials also in case you have problems retrieving your music.

I am new to this also, accidentally deleted a paid app from my phone and they walked me through putting it back on. Support is very helpful there in case you need it, they will point you in the right direction.

Edit: Just in case you need it, here is a link to the support page.

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/