Connecting two comps for 400gb transfer

[bearnet2001]

Hey

Want to use my laptop as temporary storage while I remove XP and put on Win 7 on my desktop. I want to keep about 400 gb of data tho. Plan is to put it on laptop during OS change, then put it back on main comp.

What's the best way to do this transfer? I tried wireless transfer but for some reason it stopped working after transferring 3 files every time (one comp has XP 64, the other Vista 64). Can I use some sort of network cable that I would happen to have (ie that connects router to computer and use it computer to computer?)

Thanks

 

[ImDonly1]

Just plug in the laptop through a wire to your router just like your computer is and transfer it. Large file transfers, like yours, are slow and unreliable on some routers over a wireless connection. Max you would probably get is like 2-3 Mbps over wireless.

You can also connect the two computers directly, but it would be easier if you just plugged it into the router. If you have to connect them directly. You need the right type of cable (crossover I think). You might need to setup the IPs on the computers, but I am not sure.

 

[theevilsharpie]

If at least one of your computers has a gigabit NIC (pretty much every modern computer other than a netbook will have one), you can directly link them with a network cable. Both devices will automatically assign themselves an IP via APIPA, and will then be ready to share files.

 

[Modelworks]

Ethernet patch cable ( may need a crossover cable if both nics are not gigabit) and download teracopy.
http://www.codesector.com/teracopy.php

teracopy will make sure the files copy 100% and handles large file copies much better than windows.

 

[xSauronx]

Ethernet patch cable ( may need a crossover cable if both nics are not gigabit) and download teracopy.
http://www.codesector.com/teracopy.php

teracopy will make sure the files copy 100% and handles large file copies much better than windows.

i cant attest to teracopy....but i can say for damn sure that every time i try a mass file transfer in windows it goes to shit every time, i might have to check this out

 

[Modelworks]

i cant attest to teracopy....but i can say for damn sure that every time i try a mass file transfer in windows it goes to shit every time, i might have to check this out

The biggest benefit of teracopy is that if it encounters an error while copying it simply flags that file as being a problem and moves on. It doesn't stop the transfer or prompt you for a decision , so copy large number of files can be done unattended.

 

[her209]

If you only have Fast Ethernet NICs, then I would suggest doing a USB 2.0 to USB 2.0 file transfer.

 

[JackMDS]

Get yourself a 2.5" enclosure with 500GB 2.5" SATA

It is small fast and be used many times in the future for a lot of tasks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817816001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148371

Or get Acronis True Image, Backup the HD to the other computer through a cross over cable (as mentioned above) the Network.

It takes less time and less mistakes because the back file is compressed and checked.

 

[xSauronx]

Get yourself a 2.5" enclosure with 500GB 2.5" SATA

It is small fast and be used many times in the future for a lot of tasks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817816001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148371

Or get Acronis True Image, Backup the HD to the other computer through a cross over cable (as mentioned above) the Network.

It takes less time and less mistakes because the back file is compressed and checked.

seriously. i keep a 500gb drive for data and just do apps and such on pcs/laptops

 

[bearnet2001]

Get yourself a 2.5" enclosure with 500GB 2.5" SATA

It is small fast and be used many times in the future for a lot of tasks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817816001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148371

Or get Acronis True Image, Backup the HD to the other computer through a cross over cable (as mentioned above) the Network.

It takes less time and less mistakes because the back file is compressed and checked.

Nah not willing to invest any money in this transfer, not worth it. I don't even use my 1 TB anywhere near full as it is so I don't need any bonus storage for after anyway. I mean I have a 500 GB 2.5" drive already, it's in my laptop. It's not as efficient as USB plugging an external drive in but I'm not really in too big a rush.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

i didn't read all of this but if someone hasn't mentioned it - a crossover cable will work great

 

[Paperlantern]

i didn't read all of this but if someone hasn't mentioned it - a crossover cable will work great

If you didn't read it then why bother posting. Yes a crossover cable was mentioned in at least three posts.

The last large transfer i did was from laptop to laptop, wasn't quite this big, i think maybe 120GB or so, i used firewire direct cable and it flew.

 

[JackMDS]

Nah not willing to invest any money in this transfer, not worth it. I don't even use my 1 TB anywhere near full as it is so I don't need any bonus storage for after anyway. I mean I have a 500 GB 2.5" drive already, it's in my laptop. It's not as efficient as USB plugging an external drive in but I'm not really in too big a rush.

I'll let you in on a secret. I spend a lot of time doing this help trough BBS' thing.

I usually post rather elaborate answers with links and level of explanation such that people who are Not Pro can understand what to do.

As an example if some one does not know what a crossover is, it does Not help him just to post "Do Crossover".

While the OP is the trigger to the answer, I always keep in mind the people that are shy and do not post, but they do learn something from reading the threads.

So you did not benefit from the discussion, but there is 160 View count, few of them may be learned something.

 

[Slug]

Excellent point Jack. I, for one, am always lurking here just trying to learn something. I try to help when I can.

 

[RebateMonger]

I've done a lot of Terabyte-size transfers under Windows Explorer and haven't had many problems. I've had a server reboot itself half way, but that was probably a NIC driver issue. The biggest problem is that it'll quit if it encounters a single copy error, and it's hard to even determine which files got copied and which didn't.

If you expect problems with some files (too-long file or path names or corrupted files or folders), Microsoft's RoboCopy can be handy. It takes a bit of study, but you can tell it to skip problematic files and to keep a log of the files it skipped and the reason why.

 

[KentState]

I've done a lot of Terabyte-size transfers under Windows Explorer and haven't had many problems. I've had a server reboot itself half way, but that was probably a NIC driver issue. The biggest problem is that it'll quit if it encounters a single copy error, and it's hard to even determine which files got copied and which didn't.

If you expect problems with some files (too-long file or path names or corrupted files or folders), Microsoft's RoboCopy can be handy. It takes a bit of study, but you can tell it to skip problematic files and to keep a log of the files it skipped and the reason why.

I would second RoboCopy. I was having network issues at work between my SQL Server databases and the backup file server. I implemented RoboCopy and I no longer have to worry about the copies failing or a partial file being copied.