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Computer Help and Support

hunter

(39,142 posts)

5. When a computer dies it's good to have backup.

Reply to UTUSN (Original post)

Mon Nov 20, 2017, 06:14 PM

Nov 2017

The money spent on an external drive (hard drive or thumb drive) to transfer files to a new computer isn't wasted. I have multiple external backup drives.

Linux makes it easy to clone an older machine to a new one, for me anyways. I install Linux on the new machine, including all the programs I use (which are free), and then I just drag and drop the contents of my home folder from a backup drive.

I keep them all in synch with my main computer. There are Windows programs that do the same thing, but I don't have one to recommend.

I've got files I first created in the 'seventies, and emulators for all the computers I've ever owned, and many computers I've worked with.

It's magic.

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Highlight:

How to? Transfer to new laptop, cable [View all] UTUSN Nov 2017 OP

Depends on how much data you have Egnever Nov 2017 #1

External or thumb drive. Dr Hobbitstein Nov 2017 #2

You could just use an Ethernet cable. Kleveland Nov 2017 #3

Thanks but way above my paygrade. Been internetting, now worried about cables UTUSN Nov 2017 #4

When a computer dies it's good to have backup. hunter Nov 2017 #5

Thanks. Update, I don't have lots to transfer, did the pics & docs UTUSN Nov 2017 #6

Simple drag and drop. ManiacJoe Nov 2017 #7