Alavay said:
I am not a savvy user. I just got a new computer running XP media. I want to
move my info form my old computer. I am reading about many diferent
scenerios. Can I do the F.A.S.T with the null cable?
Using FASTW is certainly a good way of gathering up the files and of
putting them into place on the new machine.
However a "null cable" usually means a "null modem cable" that
connects two computer by means of their serial ports. If there is any
substantial volume of data to be transferred (e.g. more than 100
megabtes) then this method will be excruciatingly slow, with the
transfer time measured in hours or even days.
There are other means of transferring the data gathered by FASTW which
may be a bit more complex to implement but which are much faster at
transferring the data. These other methods include:
1, A parallel port data transfer cable (8 times the speed of a serial
port cable). These would usually be referred to as "Laplink" cables,
after the software that first used this type of connection. Note that
"Laplink" cables come in both serial port (null modem) and parallel
port versions.
2. A USB to USB port data transfer cable, if your old computer is
running at least Windows 98 SE and has USB ports. These are special
cables and come with software as well.
3. A simple two computer network, which requires network cards in both
computers and a "crossover" RJ45 network cable. Also requires
configuration of the network settings on both computers.
4. After running FASTW on the old computer and saving the data in a
file on that computer's hard drive you can remove the drive and
temporarily install it as a second hard drive in the new computer.
Then you can run FASTW to import the file contents. This requires
some knowledge and ability with the installation of disk drives etc.
as is not practicable if either (or both) computers are laptop models.
Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
"In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP"
