I recently got asked to have a look at a friend’s new Toshiba laptop running Vista Home Basic, now I’m not quite sure how they did it, nor have I been able to recreate this bemusing problem. But some how when you now boot the new laptop the welcome screen and all settings promote Dell.
Now their existing desktop pc is from Dell, all they were able to tell me was that the tried using the Windows Vista Easy Transfer program utilizing a USB cable. I’ve since manually re-imaged their ToshDell or Delliba which ever you prefer and transferred all their programs, user setting’s and personal data so they are nicely up and running.
So upset and confused they very happily donated the said USB transfer cable and software to my collection so I thought I would give it a go and see just how easy or not the Windows Easy Transfer Wizards is to use and if possible try to fathom out how they managed to possible confuse themselves and their new Toshiba.
The Windows Easy Transfer is designed to be an easy-to-use migration tool, able to transfer all your files and personal data along with your user settings from your existing pc to your new Vista machine.
Windows Easy Transfer runs in administrator mode and can be found in system tools:-
· Click Start
· All Programs
· Accessories
· System Tools
· And then click Windows Easy Transfer
Using the Windows Easy Transfer you can migrate your settings from the following operating systems.
· Windows 2000 SP4 (data only)
· Windows XP Home
· Windows XP Pro 32bit & 64bit
· Windows Vista
The Transfer wizard is also able to transfer settings from some applications i.e Microsoft’s Office, Outlook’s e-mail settings, contacts and messages. It’s best to preinstall your applications on your new Vista machine before migration.
Before I have ago at this I’m playing safe and manually backing up both my XP PC and my Vista laptop, I will post a PowerPoint presentation in the download section of the site with instructions on how to use the wizard with screen shots. But please if you do try this, backup first don’t come crying to me if it all goes wrong.