The following items should be addressed and/or completed on both of your PCs before starting PCmover.
- PCmover Installation: PCmover has been installed on both PCs.
- Administrator-level Permissions: On some operating systems, you will need Administrator-level permissions to perform a transfer.
- Hard Disk Space (Old PC vs. New PC): The hard drive(s) on the new computer has as much or more disk space as that on the old computer.
- Windows Versions (Old vs. New): The new PC has the same Windows version or a newer Windows version than that installed on the old PC.
- Internet Explorer Versions (Old vs. New): The new PC should have the same or newer version of Internet Explorer as that installed on the old PC.
- Review Applications on Each PC: You should not try to transfer applications that already appear on both PCs.
Example: Assume Microsoft Word is on the old PC and on the new PC. You should not attempt to transfer the Microsoft Word application, although transferring Word documents is fine.
IMPORTANT: Trial versions of applications should always be uninstalled from the new PC before transferring a full version of the same application from the old PC.
- Network Domain PCs: Corporate PCs on a network domain should be connected and logged into the domain at least once prior to the transfer.
- Computer Cleanup: Laplink recommends that you run ScanDisk or a similar disk checking utility, as well as antivirus and antispyware software on the old and the new computers before the transfer.
- PC Power Settings/Options: Screen savers, hibernation protocols, and power-saving options on both computers should be turned OFF (i.e. All power management options in the Control Panel should be set to “Never” so they are completely disabled). Both computers need to remain on and completely “awake” during the transfer and must not go into screensaver or sleep/hibernation mode.
A laptop PC must be plugged into a power outlet, rather than running on its batteries, as the transfer is likely to take a longer time than the battery life.
- Disable All Scheduled Tasks/Programs: Using the Windows Task Scheduler (within Administrative Tools), turn off any tasks or programs that are set to automatically run, as these will interfere with a PCmover transfer.
- Exit All Programs: Exit all programs that are running on both computers. Turn off system tools such as virus scanners, spyware scanners, firewall software, and desktop search utilities on both PCs. Due to the nature of these types of applications, you should choose not to transfer them, as they are unlikely to transfer correctly.
Transfer Information
- Length of Time: The transfer may take quite a while, depending on several factors: the size of the hard drive(s) you are transferring, the amount of data on them, their level of fragmentation, the number and size of applications, and other files and folders you are transferring, and other factors.
- Updates for Applications: Some older applications may not work correctly after transfer without an update, especially if the operating system on the new PC is a more recent one than on the old one. If you find this to be the case, please check with the application’s manufacturer for an update.
IMPORTANT: Some applications with a copy-protection process known as Digital Rights Management may not function correctly after the transfer. These include such music-sharing programs as iTunes, MusicMatch, and Napster, which will probably require reactivation on the new PC, possibly a Repair done through the Windows Control Panel, and possibly reinstallation. Certain other applications, such as Microsoft Office, may also require reactivation.