O.T. Upgrading System

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus, Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together and are up to date. I’ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the old 3 ½ inch disc player.

I don’t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via Nero.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs


What I’d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the 8500. Is there an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? Can I put the links on a DVD-RW disk?

Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it. It’s a departure from all OS’s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.

Thanks,
Robert

From:


I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus,
Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together
and are up to date. I’ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the
old
3 ½ inch disc player.

I don’t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via
Nero.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs


What I’d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the 8500. Is there
an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? Can I put the links on a DVD-RW
disk?

Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it. It’s a
departure
from all OS’s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.

Thanks,
Robert


Stick with Avast and don't go with McAfee "retail" AV software.

The Dell XPS 8500 is fine.
If it is Win8/32 get 4GB RAM
If it is Win8/64 (most likely) minimum 6~8GB is reccomended.

With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.
http://www.classicshell.net/

As for transferring data such as Favourites, links, documents, etc...

Get a 3 1/2" IDE to USB hard disk enclosure. Then you can hand the hard disk of the
Dimension as an external hard disk to the XPS and traffer the data. Once the data is
transferred, you can reformat the external hard disk and use it for backups.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...FVGf4AodX3cABg

Or you can use a Universal hard disk conversion kit to just access and transfer the data
to the new computer.
http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=2020

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

wrote:
I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus, Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together and are up to date. I’ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the old 3 ½ inch disc player.

I don’t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via Nero.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs


What I’d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the 8500. Is there an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? Can I put the links on a DVD-RW disk?

Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it. It’s a departure from all OS’s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.

Thanks,
Robert


To backup your "links", there are a couple ways.

This folder has .json files, which is the internal representation of the bookmarks.
Substitute your username, where appropriate. The "xxxxxxxx" thing, is the profile number,
which is eight characters and is randomly generated by Firefox. That value is likely
different for every user (and, you can select a profile using the Profile Manager,
if you can figure out how to trigger it). So if you were ever desperate, the
five days worth of backups in here can help you to "preserve your links".

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\boo kmarkbackups

The real way to do it, is via Exporting.

Go to the Bookmarks menu, and select "Export". Then save as a file.
What that does, is convert the .json file, to HTML. The HTML
file can be viewed in any browser. I regularly use the Export
function, and save the file with a date string ( bookmarks_Apr1_2013.html ).

http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/...an+HTML+fil e

Then, on the new computer, install Firefox, go to the Organize Bookmarks section
and select "Import", then open the HTML file created on the other computer. All
of your bookmarks should be copied into the new Firefox. (Note - may require
minor editing, as required.)

When you have the HTML file in hand, you can also edit it. If you
install Seamonkey browser, there is a tool in there called Composer,
and it can be used to edit HTML. I recently used that, to remove
some crap from my bookmarks listing. It didn't work that well, until
I went into the Preferences of the Composer, and selected "preserve spacing".
Then it came closer to keeping the entries, looking like they used to.

As long as you don't damage the original information, you can always go back
and attempt to Export the stuff again. Every once in a while, with Firefox
completely shut down, you can make a copy of the Profiles folder, for a rainy day.
I use 7-Zip, to compress my copy.

Paul

On Monday, April 1, 2013 6:41:26 AM UTC-7, David H. Lipman wrote:
From:





I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with XP, SP3 , Windows Firewall, Avast antivirus,

Spywareblaster, and run Firefox for the Internet and all the programs work well together

and are up to date. I ve upgraded the HD and the RAM and swapped a DVD player for the

old

3 1/2 inch disc player.



I don t have a dedicated backup; however, I have all my data stored on DVD-RW disks via

Nero.



I ve been thinking of upgrading to a Dell XPS 8500 combo with 21.5 inch screen



http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs





What I d like to know is how can I transfer my links from the 8200 to the 8500. Is there

an easy way to do it without having a dedicated backup? Can I put the links on a DVD-RW

disk?



Also, any thoughts on the 8500 /McAfee or Windows 8? As I understand it.. It s a

departure

from all OS s? Personally, I would rather have Avast vs McAfee.



Thanks,

Robert





Stick with Avast and don't go with McAfee "retail" AV software.



The Dell XPS 8500 is fine.

If it is Win8/32 get 4GB RAM

If it is Win8/64 (most likely) minimum 6~8GB is reccomended.



With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.

http://www.classicshell.net/



As for transferring data such as Favourites, links, documents, etc...



Get a 3 1/2" IDE to USB hard disk enclosure. Then you can hand the hard disk of the

Dimension as an external hard disk to the XPS and traffer the data. Once the data is

transferred, you can reformat the external hard disk and use it for backups.



http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...FVGf4AodX3cABg



Or you can use a Universal hard disk conversion kit to just access and transfer the data

to the new computer.

http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=2020



--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but I wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once I get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will have the following upgraded features.

Win 8 - 64 bit
12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's
NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display

I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.

Thanks,
Robert

From:


I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but
I
wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once
I
get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will
have the following upgraded features.

Win 8 - 64 bit
12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's
NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5
Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display

I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.

Thanks,
Robert

OK, specs are good.


--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:34:04 AM UTC-5, David H. Lipman wrote:
From:





I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but

I

wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once

I

get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will

have the following upgraded features.



Win 8 - 64 bit

12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's

NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5

Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display



I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.



Thanks,

Robert



OK, specs are good.





--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

I would recommended setting this to true in firefox.
And backup the bookmarks file daily.

about:config

browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML

On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 11:24:46 AM UTC-7, Andy wrote:
On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:34:04 AM UTC-5, David H. Lipman wrote:













I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but



I



wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once



I



get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will



have the following upgraded features.







Win 8 - 64 bit



12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's



NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5



Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display







I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.







Thanks,



Robert







OK, specs are good.











--



Dave



Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk



http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp



I would recommended setting this to true in firefox.

And backup the bookmarks file daily.



about:config



browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML



I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do this?

Robert

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 4:34:04 AM UTC-7, David H. Lipman wrote:






I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but

I

wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once

I

get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will

have the following upgraded features.



Win 8 - 64 bit

12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's

NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5

Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display



I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.



Thanks,

Robert



OK, specs are good.





--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup
at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?

I also found this while doing a test checkout to see
what options I had e.g. RAMM

The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier
file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.
The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-
Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load
... Full Description

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...en&s=dhs&cs=19

Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?
Would I need any third party, after market software?

Thanks,
Robert

From:




I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do
this?


Robert


Don't worry about it. Paul's information is the *best* way after Firefox is installed.
Not only will you get the book marks but the look and feel you had with the OLD PC.

Basically once you have the hard disk of the XP PC hanging off the Win8 PC you can copy
all your data over and we will be here to assist you.

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

From:


I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup
at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?

I also found this while doing a test checkout to see
what options I had e.g. RAMM

The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier
file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.
The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-
Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load
... Full Description

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...en&s=dhs&cs=19

Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?
Would I need any third party, after market software?

Thanks,
Robert

I don't know what you are pointing to. I see MS 360 crap and "options".

What I provided you is the easiest way to go. Either you use a "kit" just to transfer the
data or you use an an external chassis such that you can the permanantly hand the XP PC
hard disk off the Win8 PC for data backups. The hardware can be USB 2.0 or USB 3.0.


--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

wrote:
On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 11:24:46 AM UTC-7, Andy wrote:



I would recommended setting this to true in firefox.
And backup the bookmarks file daily.

about:config

browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML

I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do this?

Robert

In Firefox, if you go to the place where you type your normal URLs,
in there you can type other commands. Firefox understands more
than one kind of command. These are examples of commands...

http://www.microsoft.com
aboutlugins
about:config

The first one, would take you to the Microsoft web site. That's HTTP.

The second one (works in Firefox), tells you what plugins are installed
in the browser.

The third one, brings up a secret preferences listing. It shows all the
internal preferences inside the browser. And it does it, without the fancy
GUI you get from the normal Preferences or Options in a browser.

The "about:config" shows a text listing, that looks like this.
Here, in the "Filter" bar, I typed "browser", to narrow down the
entries enough to see the one mentioned.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/936/aboutconfig.gif

You will notice in my example, I haven't changed the setting yet,
and it is still at the default "false" value.

Since that one is a boolean (only has values True or False),
just double-clicking on that line, changes its state. It toggles
between True and False, by double-clicking.

When a line in that file is changed from the default value, it is
highlighted with "bold" text.

Note that, the about:config internal preferences interface
*has no Undo option* !!! If you make a mistake, there is no going
back. (In many ways, it's like working in Regedit.) For example,
I erased a line in about:config once, and it was a bitch to put back.
You can always back up the entire profile folder, if you can figure
out where it is located. And that affords some protection against
a big mistake. Just don't try to delete anything in there. Since
the setting you're seeking to change there is a boolean, double
clicking is relatively safe, and you can undo your change, by double
clicking the entry again.

*******

When making changes to your computer, keep a text file journal.
In the journal, make an entry that describes that you've changed
about:config, what entry you changed and so on. That will function
as a reminder later, of what you changed.

I keep such a journal file, but I don't put every change I make in there.
But any changes I get off the Internet, that are "exceptionally clever"
and I'll never remember them, I put them in my text file for later.

HTH,
Paul

wrote:


I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup
at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?

I also found this while doing a test checkout to see
what options I had e.g. RAMM

The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier
file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.
The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-
Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load
... Full Description

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...en&s=dhs&cs=19

Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?
Would I need any third party, after market software?

Thanks,
Robert

That thing is a so-called Laplink cable, and is used with
tools such as the Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) Wizard.
It provides a means to move gobs of data and settings,
from the old computer to the new computer.

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/Popu...&client=config

There are many other ways to get files from the old computer.

That cable doesn't implement a backup scheme as such.

*******

For backups, the first thing you need, is a storage device.
Examples of storage would include backing up to DVDs (takes
time, loading blank DVDs and writing them). Or, a more popular
option now, is doing a backup copy to an external hard drive.
The external hard drive can have an ESATA or USB interface, as
examples of types. And you can keep copies of your valuable
files on the external disk, then power off and disconnect the
external disk when you aren't using it. Powering off the
external disk when not using it, is to prevent damage to the
disk in a catastrophe.

Say for example, lightning hits your house. Maybe it blows up
all the components inside your computer. If, at the instant
the lightning hits, the external backup drive is safely disconnected
from the computer, it won't get hurt. And then, once the computer
is repaired or replaced, you can restore the data from the backup
external drive.

Operating systems, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, they have
a System Image function. If you can't find it, these are some
commands you can type in a Command Prompt window.

sdclt /configure
sdclt /configure /target

I do an image backup of my C: partition, as part of my backup
strategy.

A similar approach and tool flow, is Macrium Reflect Free.
You download this, and install on the PC. The tool offers to
prepare a recovery CD, and what that does, is give you something
to boot the PC with, if you ever need to restore C: . (The built-in
recovery CD is good enough, and you don't need to download WAIK
from Microsoft to use this...) Reflect Free is very similar to
the System Image method provided with the OS, in that it uses
VSS and can backup C: while the OS is running.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

In Windows 8, the .vhd (or .vhdx) files made by such backup tools,
can be mounted as if they were hard drives. So if you ever need to
browse a backup image, there is supposed to be a way to do it. In
the same way that in Windows 8, you can right click on a .iso file
and it mounts as a virtual CD drive.

Paul

On Thursday, April 4, 2013 4:48:54 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 11:24:46 AM UTC-7, Andy wrote:

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:34:04 AM UTC-5, David H. Lipman wrote:



























I should have noted that I will be getting this 4 months hence. So there's no hurry but







I







wanted to get a feel for what I wanted and/or needed. I'll have to uninstall McAFEE once







I







get the computer, then switch it to Avast (I already contacted Dell about it). It will







have the following upgraded features.















Win 8 - 64 bit







12 GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMM's







NVIDIA GForce GT 640 1GB GDDR5







Dell Ultra Sharp U2212HM 21.5 inch flat panel display















I'll have to take some time to over what you've given me.















Thanks,







Robert















OK, specs are good.























--







Dave







Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk







http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp







I would recommended setting this to true in firefox.



And backup the bookmarks file daily.







about:config







browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML







I don't understand what you mean exactly by doing this? Are the above commands to do this?



Robert

It will produce a bookmarks.html file in your profile directory that you can back up.

On Thursday, April 4, 2013 9:41:16 AM UTC-7, Paul wrote:






I still am thinking over getting a dedicated backup

at the same time. Any thought’s suggestions?



I also found this while doing a test checkout to see

what options I had e.g. RAMM



The High-Speed USB file transfer cable is the premier

file and data sharing solution for PC and Mac users.

The Go Suite utility software is embedded on the High-

Speed USB transfer cable and will automatically load

... Full Description



http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...en&s=dhs&cs=19



Wouldn’t this be an easier faster way to transfer data?

Would I need any third party, after market software?



Thanks,

Robert



That thing is a so-called Laplink cable, and is used with

tools such as the Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) Wizard.

It provides a means to move gobs of data and settings,

from the old computer to the new computer.



http://accessories.dell.com/sna/Popu...&client=config



There are many other ways to get files from the old computer.



That cable doesn't implement a backup scheme as such.



*******



For backups, the first thing you need, is a storage device.

Examples of storage would include backing up to DVDs (takes

time, loading blank DVDs and writing them). Or, a more popular

option now, is doing a backup copy to an external hard drive.

The external hard drive can have an ESATA or USB interface, as

examples of types. And you can keep copies of your valuable

files on the external disk, then power off and disconnect the

external disk when you aren't using it. Powering off the

external disk when not using it, is to prevent damage to the

disk in a catastrophe.



Say for example, lightning hits your house. Maybe it blows up

all the components inside your computer. If, at the instant

the lightning hits, the external backup drive is safely disconnected

from the computer, it won't get hurt. And then, once the computer

is repaired or replaced, you can restore the data from the backup

external drive.



Operating systems, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, they have

a System Image function. If you can't find it, these are some

commands you can type in a Command Prompt window.



sdclt /configure

sdclt /configure /target



I do an image backup of my C: partition, as part of my backup

strategy.



A similar approach and tool flow, is Macrium Reflect Free.

You download this, and install on the PC. The tool offers to

prepare a recovery CD, and what that does, is give you something

to boot the PC with, if you ever need to restore C: . (The built-in

recovery CD is good enough, and you don't need to download WAIK

from Microsoft to use this...) Reflect Free is very similar to

the System Image method provided with the OS, in that it uses

VSS and can backup C: while the OS is running.



http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx



In Windows 8, the .vhd (or .vhdx) files made by such backup tools,

can be mounted as if they were hard drives. So if you ever need to

browse a backup image, there is supposed to be a way to do it. In

the same way that in Windows 8, you can right click on a .iso file

and it mounts as a virtual CD drive.



Paul

Lots of information for me to go through. From the sound of it Macrium Reflect Free sounds like a good thing to have although doesn't Microsoft provide a Master Backup CD? I would prefer a separate dedicated HD, how many , TB? GB? cost?. In the meantime should I still go with the Classic Shell?

With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.
http://www.classicshell.net/

I want to take this opportunity to match up a good dedicated HD backup that would compliment the computer so that I'll have a mirror image of the HD in case I need it.

Please bear with me, I can understand most of what your saying but sometimes it gets over my head.


Thanks,
Robert

From:


Lots of information for me to go through. From the sound of it Macrium
Reflect Free sounds
like a good thing to have although doesn't Microsoft provide a Master
Backup CD? I would
prefer a separate dedicated HD, how many , TB? GB? cost?. In the meantime
should I still
go with the Classic Shell?

With Win8 I also reccomend Classic Shell to get over the Metro UI.
http://www.classicshell.net/

I want to take this opportunity to match up a good dedicated HD backup
that would
compliment the computer so that I'll have a mirror image of the HD in case
I need it.

Please bear with me, I can understand most of what your saying but
sometimes it gets over
my head.

Thanks,
Robert

The hard disk removed from the WinXP PC can be applied as a "good dedicated
HD backup " and Macrium software is an excellent choice for backup up.

Yes you should go with Classic Shell. Agian, it overcomes the shortcomings
of the Win8 Metro user interface.

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp