KennyD

I used the Dynex Easy Transfer Cable and Software to transfer some files from XP to Vista. I've had my Vista computer up and running for over a month now, and just got around to this. Problem is, I'm not that happy with everything that transfered. For example, I already had MS Works loaded (including files) and I inadvertantly loaded it again, Quicken loaded and is not supported, plus I got another User account that I really didn't need. The strangest thing is my external WD hard drive (which was my "F" drive was transferred and a Western Digital Icon took the place of the normal "C" drive icon. I'm also having trouble locating files.

Will system restore take me back before the transfer?

jcgriff2

Hi KennyD -

Welcome to the Tech Support Forum - Vista Support!

Before you perform a System Restore - if you have a little time to work with me to see exactly what happened, please read on:

The only files that can be "safely" transferred from XP to Vista are certain folders/files within the user folders - XP = "Documents and Settings\KennyD\"; Vista = "Users\KennyD\" - and even then only files within folders like Pictures, Documents, Music, etc...

Any programs that you had installed under your XP system must be re-installed under Vista.

When you say that you already had MS Works loaded - was that on Vista or did you attempt a transfer from XP?

Was your external drive "F" under Vista or XP?

I would like three items from you to help me better understand your Vista system in its current state -

1. A Belarc Advisor report saved in "mht" format (Top right of Internet Explorer screen; Page; Saved as; save as mht), as a web page or as a Word document. You can download Belarc HERE.

2. A DXDiag report - START | type dxdiag into the Start Search box | right-click on dxdiag.exe | select Run as Administrator | respond to User Access Control prompt. Then save this report as a text file.

3. Bring up an ELEVATED command prompt START | type cmd.exe | right-click on cmd.exe up top | select Run as Administrator | respond to User Access Control prompt.

Now... copy and paste the following into the "DOS" command prompt box (you may have to move the mouse to the top of the box and right-click then select Edit then paste) -
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" > C:\KennyD1.txt & start notepad c:\KennyD1.txt

Press enter and a Notepad will appear with information in it that look like folder names - save this as a text file.

If you would then send me all three reports via Email either as separate attachments or as one zip file - DO NOT ATTACH to a post as there is secure system information within the Belarc report. Please be sure to include your screen name in the subject area and a link to this thread in the body of the email.

I'll have a look at them and get back to you as soon as I can... OK?

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

KennyD

Wow! Thanks for the quick reply! I was expecting maybe a "yes" or a "no"!!! I will need to work on this tomorrow, as I have an early morning appointment...I will defininately follow your instructions and get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks again!

jcgriff2

Hi again KennyD -

One thing that I can guarantee you is you will almost never get a one-word response from me on anything!!

Seriously, though, I don't want to simply instruct you to perform a System Restore without first knowing more about some things in your system - especially that drive letter.

For info, it wont take that long to gather the reports - but tomorrow is fine with me. I sent you my email address via a PM.

If you have any questions, please let me know.


Regards. . .

jcgriff2

p.s. I should have said "Welcome BACK to TSF !"

jcgriff2

Hi again Kenny -

First - thanks for the reports.

What I believe happened here is that during the file transfer files from areas in the user folders and possibly in other folders within the root of c: drive were transferred and should not have been. I did see the additional user accounts that you mentioned.

The reason you now have problems is the programs that transferred from XP do not contain registry entries while others have corrupted programs that were installed under Vista already by default. As far as the user accounts themselves - if you want to copy files (Documents, Pictures, etc..) in directly to those folders under the newly named Vista user accounts you won't have a problem. However, you must use Windows Explorer drag/drop to do it - from Xp's "Documents and Settings\username\My Pictures" to Vista's "users\username\Pictures" - if you just copy from the external onto the Vista hard drive - drive f: to c: - it will create the XP-named user accounts again.

Since you are open to a Vista re-install since the system is one month old - not to mention software of the likes like Office 2007 - I would advise you to do so.

Good Luck to you.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

KennyD

OK, so the System Restore won't work??!!

I don't want the extra User Accounts, and since I haven't deleted anything from the XP machine, I don't mind deleting things and re-install via flash transfer if I can. Can I delete the new User Accounts, and other things that came from XP, or do I have Registry problems that only a re-install would cure?

Would I use the the built-in system recovery that came with the computer to do a re-install? Should I try with a file back-up or no back-up?

I don't understand what you meant about Office 2007...I installed Office 2003 because it was a free "suite" my wife got at an accounting cpe class, and I figured it was better than having to pay to activate the 2007 after the trial.

Sorry for the rapid fire "stupid" questions, but I am an amateur!!! I appreciate the time you have spent helping me!

jcgriff2

Hi again Kenny -

To me - there is no such thing as a stupid question. Ask away.

If you absolutely want those user accounts and all traces of them gone - then you will have to re-install Vista back to the factory default settings via the system recovery in your system. It will be like taking it out of the box again. I don't know exactly what you mean by "Should I try with a file back-up or no back-up".

Even if you were to delete the user accounts, you would still find folders for them is the \users\ folder. One big problem is that your file transfer apparently overwrote parts of the installed programs - they are now corrupted installations. Also, it may be possible to have registry corruption due to these installations attempting to run, then failing and updating the registry with such information.

I mentioned Office 2007 as an example because of the complexities that such a program installation has - it places files all over the place. I did not notice that you had Office 2003 installed until you mentioned it. Office 2003 is a fine product and will continue to be so for many years to come. I have Office 2007 and like it; however, my kids have to save all of their work in '03 format as few of their friends have '07 - and none of the schools.

I would advise a re-install then setting Vista up again as you did before with the new user account names then copy the XP files to Vista - folder by folder - here are some of them:

c:\documents and settings\%username%\My Documents - XP
c:\users\%username%\documents - Vista

c:\documents and settings\%username%\My Music - XP
c:\users\%username%\music - Vista

c:\documents and settings\%username%\My Pictures - XP
c:\users\%username%\pictures - Vista



If you have any questions, please let me know.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

KennyD

OK - I will re-install via the built-in recovery program from ZT. Shouldn't be too hard on me since I haven't had it long enough to have it loaded with stuff!

Thanks again, and I'll let you know how it goes (one way or the other!)

jcgriff2

Hi Kenny -

I wish you good luck in your recovery!

Just please be careful how you transfer files over - If you have any questions about it - come back and see us... OK??

Bye for now. . .

JC


Regards. . .

jcgriff2