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Thursday, May 25, 2000
Q: How do I transfer all my current files to my new computer? After that is done, how do I clear my hard drive so the person to whom I'm giving it doesn't have access to all my personal materials? (Monica Lewinsky e-mails for example.)
Have a question for David Radin? Contact him at his Web site
A: To transfer your files, you can use sneaker net, do a direct port-to-port transfer, or use a network transfer -- such as via Internet.
Sneaker net is the phrase we lovingly use when we use disks to move data. You copy your files to some removable media, walk from one computer to the other with the media, then copy the data from the removable media into the newer computer. With large hard drives, floppies are simply not acceptable for this type of transfer because they don't hold enough -- only 1.44 megabytes. But there are several larger formats such as Iomega Zip (available in both 100 mb and 250 mb capacity per disk), Imation Superdrive (120 mb) and CD (640 mb to 800 mb). In all of these cases, you need compatible devices on both systems. If you don't already have them on your older system, it probably won't make sense to buy them just to do the transfer, as alternate methods will likely cost you less.
To do a direct, port-to-port transfer, you'll connect the serial ports on both computers via cable. You'll need a serial-to-serial cable and compatible software on both ends. The most common software for these transfers is pcAnywhere from Symantec and LapLink from Traveling Software. Both products come with the proper cable if bought retail, or you can buy them online without the cable.
If you have the time to transfer files via Internet, that's probably your most inexpensive, flexible option, especially since the time required is mostly connection time. You can start it up and walk away while it works.
To do an Internet transfer, you have several choices -- for most of us that means using either FTP (file transfer protocol) or some online storage service. If you decide to use FTP, you'll upload your files to some server on the Net; then download it from there to your new system. This two-step process is easy, but it requires a Net connection, FTP software on both your systems and a server on the Net that is available for uploads. My current favorite FTP software is CuteFTP, which is available in both free and premium version at www.cuteftp.com. Ask your ISP for an FTP server and log in information. The other option, the online storage system (such as iDrive) is a similar process using your Web browser. You'll have to sign up for the service from the provider; and you may be limited to the amount of disk space you can use at any given time. But it's extremely easy to do. In either case, allow plenty of time to upload and download your files -- especially if you have a dial up connection.
Don't transfer your applications by any of these methods -- just your data. For your applications, uninstall them on your old system, and reinstall them on your new system.
Here's where your secret exchange with Monica gets protected. To clear your drive of all traces of data on your old system after you transfer your data to the new system, you'll probably want to reformat your disks. But if you reformat, you'll want to reinstall Windows after the format. Before you wipe out your disk, create a Windows boot disk on floppy. You can find instructions on creating the boot disk at www.insiderradio.com/pg.
Most people won't be able to access your old data if you simply delete it without formatting -- so reformatting the disk may be overkill. But if you and Monica are really worried about people rifling through your old drive with advanced data recovery techniques, reformatting is a good idea. Don't sleep soundly though -- because there are companies throughout the United States that claim to be able to extract just about any data that was ever on a drive, whether reformatted or even wiped with a more advanced utility.
Q: How do I get rid of all those annoying icons in the bottom right corner of my screen (near the clock)? They include RealPlayer, Flash and others -- and I don't know how they got there.
A: Those icons in the system tray allow some applications to start more swiftly, because the applications are already started in part on your system. Usually you can remove them by right clicking on them, then selecting [Disable], [Exit] or [Close]. Remember: if you disable your virus checker, you will be unprotected during your normal day -- so don't disable it.
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