Congratulations! Computer prices are at an all-time low and now you are the proud owner of a new computer. It’s faster than your old one, has a larger hard drive and maybe gives you your first go at Microsoft Windows XP.

There is only one thing missing, all of your old data! This not only includes all of your treasured photographs and music but all of your Word and Excel documents as well as all of your internet browser favorites and your e-mail address book.

Transferring data from one computer to another is an unbelievable hassle, unless you know what you are doing. Although time consuming and a little cumbersome, there are steps you can take that will help the process be a bit more manageable.

The first thing that needs to be done is the new computer needs to be setup following the instructions that came with your new purchase.

Once that is up and running the amount of data that is to be transferred needs to be determined.

If there are limited files that need to be moved, the easiest method would be to burn the files on the old computer to a CD-ROM. Once the CD is burned the files can be downloaded to the hard drive of the new computer.

If the data transfer is greater than what can be held on a CD-ROM there are a few methods that will handle larger data migrations. The below mentioned methods will prevent the need to purchase pricey migration software.

- Via Network: This requires an in home network. If one is setup in the household or business, both computers need to be on the network. Once this is established both of the computer’s hard drives will be shared and files can easily be copied back and forth.

- Files and Settings Transfer Window: This is a tool that transfers data and Window Settings (mail and contacts for Outlook and Internet bookmarks) and is found in Windows XP. To find the tool, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Once activated the Wizard will walk through the data transfer process step by step.

By: Cari Diaz