Switching to Microsoft Windows 7 : Migrating Applications and Data to a New Windows 7 Computer (part 2)

Task 2: Install the Migration Software

In this case, we assume that you have downloaded the software from the Laplink website. Install the software on both computers. Note that what you are purchasing from Laplink is the migration license. You can download the PC Mover installer software directly from the Laplink website to each computer, if needed, from this web page:

www.laplink.com/pcmover

Note

Note that you might need to install the USB driver if you plan to use the USB cable connection for your migration. Preferably, you should be able to use your own system’s USB driver. If there is a problem with that, however, download and install Laplink’s USB driver for the crossover cable.

Task 3: Create a Connection Between the Two Computers

If you are using a network connection to perform your migration, you have already done this. If, on the other hand, you are using the USB cable, connect it to a USB port on each of the two computers.

Task 4: Use the Migration Software to Perform Your Migration

To perform the migration, follow these steps:

1.	Run PC Mover on both computers. Either double-click the PC Mover icon on the desktop or click the Start button and select Programs, PC Mover, PC Mover.
2.	To make sure you are running the most recent version of PC Mover, click the Check for Updates button as shown in Figure 3. Generally speaking, if you have downloaded the software from the Laplink website, it should be current. Click Next when done. Figure 3. It’s best to check the Laplink website to ensure that you have the most recent version of the PC Mover software. For the purposes of this section, we’re going to bypass the In-Place Upgrade instructions.
3.	In each running version of PC Mover, specify which computer you are working on. On your original computer, select Old. On your Windows 7 system, select New and then click the Next button on both computers. The screen on the old computer is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4. Choose where you want to store your application archive.
4.	Before you can begin your migration, you must enter your serial number on one of the systems (as shown in Figure 5). Figure 5. You may enter your serial number now or later. Note You can bypass the need for a serial number temporarily by performing a trial migration, that only moves a single type of file. Once you are ready to perform your full migration, however, you must have a valid serial number.
5.	You can, however, wait to do so until you have gone through the setup PC Mover requires for your migration. Click the Next button when you are ready to proceed.
6.	Select the transfer method you want to use (see Figure 6). If you have connected the USB cable between the two computers, you should see the USB option. In our case, we will use the network connection. Click Over a Network, and then click Next. Figure 6. Choose the right kind of transfer method; unless there’s a really good reason to use USB, we highly recommend transferring via a network connection.
7.	Now you need to arrange the software connection between the two computers. Because PC Mover is running on both your old and new computers, from your old computer, enter the name of your new computer (see Figure 7). In this example, we enter “Goddess” as the New Computer Network Name and click Next. Figure 7. Here you will set up the software connection between your old and new computers.
8.	If for some reason you don’t know what the network name is, click the Browse button. This opens a new dialog window allowing you to browse for the new computer (see Figure 8). Figure 8. You can locate your network by clicking the Browse button.
9.	PC Mover displays a Ready to Load screen. Click Next to continue.
10.	PC Mover connects to the new computer and determines what new software needs to be loaded for the migration to occur. It does this by building a snapshot view of the configuration of the new computer, as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9. Building a snapshot.
11.	The old computer then looks at that snapshot view and determines what needs to be moved. Based on that, it builds a moving journal, which is a comprehensive list of every file, application, and setting that needs to be moved. You’ll have to go through several dialog boxes, with various options to deselect items you do not want to migrate or the ability to add new items that were not selected. Eventaully, you will build a moving journal, detailing everything that needs to be moved, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10. PC Mover then creates a comprehensive list of every item that will be moved from the old computer to the new computer.
12.	Once you have finished creating the moving van, the two computers will automatically connect and pass off their data, migrating your files from the old computer to the new one.

Task 5: Clean Up

Now all you need to do is clean up from your migration. Follow these steps:

1.	Uninstall PC Mover from your new computer.
2.	Remove and put away the USB cable, if you elected to use one.
3.	Shut down and remove your old computer.