The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer. You can transfer data, such as:
E-mail messages
Toolbar settings
Window sizes
Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.
NOTE: You can transfer information from the old computer to the new computer by directly connecting a serial
cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must
access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps, such as
setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer.
For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers, see Microsoft Knowledge Base
Article #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This
information may not be available in some countries.
For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System CD for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating
System CD
NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System CD. This CD is optional and may not be included with all
computers.
NOTE: The following procedure requires the use of the Latitude D420 Media Base for access to a CD/DVD drive.
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:
Start the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD
and click Next.
When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source computer. Do not
click Next at this time.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.
On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.
On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
settings and files and click Next.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
Click Finished and restart the new computer.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the
Operating System CD
NOTE: The following procedure requires the use of the Latitude D420 Media Base for access to a CD/DVD drive.
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System CD, you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media.
To create a wizard disk, use your new computer with Windows XP and perform the following steps:
Click the Start button.
Click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following
drive: and click Next.
Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.
When the disk creation completes and the Now go to your old computer message appears, do not click
Next.
Go to the old computer.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.
Click the Start button and click Run.
In the Open field on the Run window, browse to the path for fastwiz (on the appropriate removable
media) and click OK.
On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
settings and files and click Next. Follow the instructions on the screen.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
Click Finished and restart the new computer.
NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for document #PA1089586 (How Do I
Transfer Files From My Old Computer to My New Dell Computer Using the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating
System?).
NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in some countries.
