data transfer from computer to computer

[Slunnie]

hello IT savvie comroads.


I've got a laptop that has no music and a PC that has about 30g of music. Does anybody know of any efficent way of transfering the music across by any chance.

I have a multiple port modem if thats any help, or I can probably plug the 2 computers in together with data cables if that works also.

[dmdigital]

Do you have Firewire on both, you can then network them?

The simplest is a descent sized memory stick or USB hard drive though.

[Slunnie]

Do you have Firewire on both, you can then network them?

The simplest is a descent sized memory stick or USB hard drive though.
I'm not sure to be honest.

I probably can just save it all to an external HDD and then transfer that way, it just seemed like double handling.

[JDNSW]

.......
I probably can just save it all to an external HDD and then transfer that way, it just seemed like double handling.

That is how I would do it if both computers are working. There will be more direct methods, but almost certainly these will involve a lot more messing about!

John

[Blknight.aus]

if they are on the same OS and both have a network port you can do one of 2 things

1. setup a mini network from behind the modem using the modem as a hub (assuming it supports it, mine does)
2. grab an ethernet crossover cable and setup an adhoc network then just share the files across.

[Slunnie]

Thanks for this fellows. I'll give that a go Dave and see what happens otherwise just copy it to the EHDD and then again onto the Laptop.

[richard4u2]

i think vista has a build it programe for doing that sort of thing

[Slunnie]

i think vista has a build it programe for doing that sort of thing
Hopefully! The pc is vista, but the laptop is XP

[dmdigital]

The External HDD will definitely be the easiest.

Vista and XP both have the ability to network by firewire or cross over ethernet PC to PC. The modem sounds like its a 4 port router or switch so you could use it too and that would be easier than a single cable to set up. But if it was me I'd be going the HDD for 30GB of data.

[abaddonxi]

Either plug both computers into the modem with ethernet cables, or go via hdd.

I tried to do much the same a couple of days ago over the network and it was going to take a lot of hours.

HDD should be faster transfer than network - 480mbps compared to 100mbps.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I would tend to use a network solution because any other solution an you will have multiple copies of your music sitting around.

Another option is one of these. (http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/features/airtunes.html) Its how I do it :)

You put one of those by your stereo and plug in into the back of your amp and bobs your uncle. You just stream the music to there. You control it from your computer, or a free app on your iphone or ipod touch.

You could pick up a second hand one of these for $100 I'd think.

[DeanoH]

If all you want to do is copy 30G of music from one PC to another copying it to the portable HDD and then copying it from the portable HDD to the laptop is the easiest and probably quickest solution.

If you go down the networking track you need to set up file sharing and both PC's which will need to be set up with the same workgroup. This is not a major issue if you know how to do it but can be a bit daunting if you havn't done it before. And your router needs to have multiple ports. Plying a knowlegable person with alcohol is usually the best way if you havn't done it before. Another benefit of the network solution is that it allows you to share files and printers etc. between the PC's.

Hope this helps

Deano

[clean32]

what Deanoh said.


windows has its own networking software built in, you may need your original disks.

get a crossover net work cable from dicksmiths. or if you have DSL and no ports on your modum you can get a USB networking cable.

BUT if you have empty ports in your modum then get a non crossover cable.

setting up the networking software is the same, windows has wizards so its quite easy.

[Tombie]

Either plug both computers into the modem with ethernet cables, or go via hdd.

I tried to do much the same a couple of days ago over the network and it was going to take a lot of hours.

HDD should be faster transfer than network - 480mbps compared to 100mbps.

Exactly - Plus you SHOULD keep a backup on an external drive anyway Slunnie :cool:

[PhilipA]

You haven't said if you have the music stored in Itunes.
If you do the latest version allows you to back up to disc or I guess to HDD and then you can load the backup into the other computer.
I did 8 gigs from an XP machine to a Vista.
Regards Philip A

[Slunnie]

Thanks for this fellas. Interesting stuff there. I ended up going to an external HDD and then onto the laptop.

Itunes, I do use that. Now I need to work out how to "backup" music files that are shared over the network! :D

[disco gazza]

There's a cable from Belkin that I use whenever I need to transfer files from 1 machine to another.It uses the USB port on both and it brings up the entire contents of whats on the 'puters.
Then u just go to the section you need to swap over and move it from 1 screen to the other screen(normally the main 'puter is the top half of screen,the 2nd 'puter is on the bottom half of screen).


Cheers
disco gazza
92 disco tdi

[DeanoH]

The Belkin cable is a good piece of gear, especially if you don't have available ethernet ports. Think of it as basically a USB to ethernet converter each end with a built in crossover cable in between. Software is very similar to the old Lap Link software. Simple, reliable and easy to use without the neccessity of setting up a network. Only down point is it costs more than a crossover cable.

Deano