How to transfer files to a Laptop efficiently?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric
  • Start date Start date
E

Eric

I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to copy
files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows explorer
and finding every file (palm organizer, account database, miscellaneous .xls
& .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm sure there's an easier
way.

Thanks,
Eric
 
Eric wrote:
> I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to copy
> files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows explorer
> and finding every file (palm organizer, account database, miscellaneous .xls
> & .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm sure there's an easier
> way.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric
>

Its basic, but I use a batch file to update to my thumb drive daily.
Its some of the most needed files. Note that all the folders F:\backup
F:\backup\wallpapers etc were made by hand as this script does not make
folders first. Again, its basic and simple and works for me.

There are other programs like allway
http://allwaysync.com/?a=1
and goodsync
http://www.goodsync.com/
and microsoft has one call synctoy.


Here is a piece of the backup.bat file:

@rem Thumb drive must be F:
F:
cd \
echo off

echo Wallpapers
cd \backup\wallpapers
xcopy "C:\documents and settings\alan\my documents\my
pictures\wallpapers\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y

echo Active Desktop Calendar
cd \Backup\Active Desktop Calendar Backup
del *.xdat
copy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\My Documents\Active Desktop
Calendar Backup\*.*" .

echo KMail database
cd "\backup\mail"
copy "C:\program files\mail\mail.mdb" .

echo Trillian users
cd "\backup\trillian users"
xcopy "C:\program files\trillian\users\default\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y

echo Firefox
C:\util\sleep 1
cd \backup\firefox
xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application
Data\Mozilla\Firefox\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y

echo Thunderbird
C:\util\sleep 1
cd \backup\thunderbird
xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application Data\Thunderbird\*.*"
.. /E /Q /H /R /Y

rem pause
rem uncomment this if you want it to pause to see results.
 
OK you lost me at "F:\backup F:\backup\wallpapers etc". Can you explain this
like I was a novice? Is it something I can cut & paste or start a program?
Where would I cut & paste all of this at?

"Big_Al" wrote:

> Eric wrote:
> > I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to copy
> > files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows explorer
> > and finding every file (palm organizer, account database, miscellaneous .xls
> > & .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm sure there's an easier
> > way.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Eric
> >
>
> Its basic, but I use a batch file to update to my thumb drive daily.
> Its some of the most needed files. Note that all the folders F:\backup
> F:\backup\wallpapers etc were made by hand as this script does not make
> folders first. Again, its basic and simple and works for me.
>
> There are other programs like allway
> http://allwaysync.com/?a=1
> and goodsync
> http://www.goodsync.com/
> and microsoft has one call synctoy.
>
>
> Here is a piece of the backup.bat file:
>
> @rem Thumb drive must be F:
> F:
> cd \
> echo off
>
> echo Wallpapers
> cd \backup\wallpapers
> xcopy "C:\documents and settings\alan\my documents\my
> pictures\wallpapers\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>
> echo Active Desktop Calendar
> cd \Backup\Active Desktop Calendar Backup
> del *.xdat
> copy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\My Documents\Active Desktop
> Calendar Backup\*.*" .
>
> echo KMail database
> cd "\backup\mail"
> copy "C:\program files\mail\mail.mdb" .
>
> echo Trillian users
> cd "\backup\trillian users"
> xcopy "C:\program files\trillian\users\default\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>
> echo Firefox
> C:\util\sleep 1
> cd \backup\firefox
> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application
> Data\Mozilla\Firefox\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>
> echo Thunderbird
> C:\util\sleep 1
> cd \backup\thunderbird
> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application Data\Thunderbird\*.*"
> .. /E /Q /H /R /Y
>
> rem pause
> rem uncomment this if you want it to pause to see results.
>
 
The date and time was 6/6/2008 9:01 AM, and on a whim, Eric pounded out
on the keyboard:

> OK you lost me at "F:\backup F:\backup\wallpapers etc". Can you explain this
> like I was a novice? Is it something I can cut & paste or start a program?
> Where would I cut & paste all of this at?
>
> "Big_Al" wrote:
>
>> Eric wrote:
>>> I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to copy
>>> files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows explorer
>>> and finding every file (palm organizer, account database, miscellaneous .xls
>>> & .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm sure there's an easier
>>> way.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Eric
>>>
>> Its basic, but I use a batch file to update to my thumb drive daily.
>> Its some of the most needed files. Note that all the folders F:\backup
>> F:\backup\wallpapers etc were made by hand as this script does not make
>> folders first. Again, its basic and simple and works for me.
>>
>> There are other programs like allway
>> http://allwaysync.com/?a=1
>> and goodsync
>> http://www.goodsync.com/
>> and microsoft has one call synctoy.
>>
>>
>> Here is a piece of the backup.bat file:
>>
>> @rem Thumb drive must be F:
>> F:
>> cd \
>> echo off
>>
>> echo Wallpapers
>> cd \backup\wallpapers
>> xcopy "C:\documents and settings\alan\my documents\my
>> pictures\wallpapers\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> echo Active Desktop Calendar
>> cd \Backup\Active Desktop Calendar Backup
>> del *.xdat
>> copy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\My Documents\Active Desktop
>> Calendar Backup\*.*" .
>>
>> echo KMail database
>> cd "\backup\mail"
>> copy "C:\program files\mail\mail.mdb" .
>>
>> echo Trillian users
>> cd "\backup\trillian users"
>> xcopy "C:\program files\trillian\users\default\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> echo Firefox
>> C:\util\sleep 1
>> cd \backup\firefox
>> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application
>> Data\Mozilla\Firefox\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> echo Thunderbird
>> C:\util\sleep 1
>> cd \backup\thunderbird
>> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application Data\Thunderbird\*.*"
>> .. /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> rem pause
>> rem uncomment this if you want it to pause to see results.
>>

Hi Eric,

You may want to look into this if you aren't familiar with the command
prompt and creating batch files:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307885

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Eric wrote:
> OK you lost me at "F:\backup F:\backup\wallpapers etc". Can you explain this
> like I was a novice? Is it something I can cut & paste or start a program?
> Where would I cut & paste all of this at?
>
> "Big_Al" wrote:
>
>> Eric wrote:
>>> I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to copy
>>> files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows explorer
>>> and finding every file (palm organizer, account database, miscellaneous .xls
>>> & .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm sure there's an easier
>>> way.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Eric
>>>
>> Its basic, but I use a batch file to update to my thumb drive daily.
>> Its some of the most needed files. Note that all the folders F:\backup
>> F:\backup\wallpapers etc were made by hand as this script does not make
>> folders first. Again, its basic and simple and works for me.
>>
>> There are other programs like allway
>> http://allwaysync.com/?a=1
>> and goodsync
>> http://www.goodsync.com/
>> and microsoft has one call synctoy.
>>
>>
>> Here is a piece of the backup.bat file:
>>
>> @rem Thumb drive must be F:
This is a comment just for me.
>> F:
This makes sure I am on the F: drive, this is where my Thumb drive shows up.
>> cd \
I make sure I'm in the root folder, but really not needed since later I
cd to another folder directly.
>> echo off
This turns off the echoing of data. Its just cosmetic.
>>
>> echo Wallpapers
This displays the word 'Wallpapers' on the screen so I can watch
something happen.
>> cd \backup\wallpapers
This changes to the proper folder (remember I'm on the F: drive
>> xcopy "C:\documents and settings\alan\my documents\my
>> pictures\wallpapers\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
Xcopy will now copy all the files from source to destination.
Source being the mydocs / wallpapers folder Note the *.* meaning all
files. And note the quotes around that path since it includes spaces.
And the '.' is the destination for the copy. Since I did a Cd to
backup\wallpapers on the F: drive that's where I will copy files.
To know what the /x/x/x/x/ parameters mean, goto START|RUN and type cmd
<ENTER>. Then type xcopy /? and read what they mean.
>>
>> echo Active Desktop Calendar
>> cd \Backup\Active Desktop Calendar Backup
>> del *.xdat
>> copy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\My Documents\Active Desktop
>> Calendar Backup\*.*" .
>>
Same thing but this time I moved around on the F: Drive and copy a
different C: drive set of files. And this time I deleted the
destination files since they are dated and I do not want the old ones
left in the destination folder, I just want the new ones copied.
>> echo KMail database
>> cd "\backup\mail"
>> copy "C:\program files\mail\mail.mdb" .
>>
>> echo Trillian users
>> cd "\backup\trillian users"
>> xcopy "C:\program files\trillian\users\default\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> echo Firefox
>> C:\util\sleep 1
>> cd \backup\firefox
>> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application
>> Data\Mozilla\Firefox\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> echo Thunderbird
>> C:\util\sleep 1
>> cd \backup\thunderbird
>> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application Data\Thunderbird\*.*"
>> .. /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>
>> rem pause
>> rem uncomment this if you want it to pause to see results.
>>

If you don't know batch files then I might want to say, don't try it.
You kinda have to know batch files. But I'll try the first part.
See above.
If you google 'how to do batch commands' or some similar search, I'm
sure there are help pages on how to write batch files and other commands.
HTH.
 
Eric <Eric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>OK you lost me at "F:\backup F:\backup\wallpapers etc". Can you explain this
>like I was a novice? Is it something I can cut & paste or start a program?
>Where would I cut & paste all of this at?

He's just saying that he had to create the folder structure on the
thumb drive first and then run the batch file. The batch file would
just contain copy or xcopy commands to move the required files to the
places on the thumb drive where you want them. A simple example,
assuming G: is the thumb drive:

xcopy "c:\windows\profiles\jack\my documents\*.*" g:\mydocs

This would copy the contents of the "my documents" folder for user
"jack" (at least, the way my machine is set up) to the folder "mydocs"
on the thumb drive.

To find out about xcopy, open a command console and type:

xcopy /?

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
If it's synchronization you're after, then consider Microsoft's SyncToy.
I deploy this app for a number of customers to keep Notebook and
Desktop computers synchronized.

If both PC's are network enabled at home then it's just a
setup/configuration
process and from there onward you just click Sync and you are done.
Doing it this way would completely bypass the need for the Flash drive
to be the transport to-and-from each computer.

Product description and download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en

"Big_Al" <BigAl@MD.com> wrote in message news:PDd2k.1942$MF3.800@trnddc06...
> Eric wrote:
>> OK you lost me at "F:\backup F:\backup\wallpapers etc". Can you explain
>> this like I was a novice? Is it something I can cut & paste or start a
>> program? Where would I cut & paste all of this at?
>>
>> "Big_Al" wrote:
>>
>>> Eric wrote:
>>>> I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to
>>>> copy files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows
>>>> explorer and finding every file (palm organizer, account database,
>>>> miscellaneous .xls & .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm
>>>> sure there's an easier way.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Eric
>>>>
>>> Its basic, but I use a batch file to update to my thumb drive daily. Its
>>> some of the most needed files. Note that all the folders F:\backup
>>> F:\backup\wallpapers etc were made by hand as this script does not make
>>> folders first. Again, its basic and simple and works for me.
>>>
>>> There are other programs like allway
>>> http://allwaysync.com/?a=1
>>> and goodsync
>>> http://www.goodsync.com/
>>> and microsoft has one call synctoy.
>>>
>>>
>>> Here is a piece of the backup.bat file:
>>>
>>> @rem Thumb drive must be F:
> This is a comment just for me.
>>> F:
> This makes sure I am on the F: drive, this is where my Thumb drive shows
> up.
>>> cd \
> I make sure I'm in the root folder, but really not needed since later I cd
> to another folder directly.
>>> echo off
> This turns off the echoing of data. Its just cosmetic.
>>>
>>> echo Wallpapers
> This displays the word 'Wallpapers' on the screen so I can watch something
> happen.
>>> cd \backup\wallpapers
> This changes to the proper folder (remember I'm on the F: drive
>>> xcopy "C:\documents and settings\alan\my documents\my
>>> pictures\wallpapers\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
> Xcopy will now copy all the files from source to destination.
> Source being the mydocs / wallpapers folder Note the *.* meaning all
> files. And note the quotes around that path since it includes spaces.
> And the '.' is the destination for the copy. Since I did a Cd to
> backup\wallpapers on the F: drive that's where I will copy files.
> To know what the /x/x/x/x/ parameters mean, goto START|RUN and type cmd
> <ENTER>. Then type xcopy /? and read what they mean.
>>>
>>> echo Active Desktop Calendar
>>> cd \Backup\Active Desktop Calendar Backup
>>> del *.xdat
>>> copy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\My Documents\Active Desktop
>>> Calendar Backup\*.*" .
>>>
> Same thing but this time I moved around on the F: Drive and copy a
> different C: drive set of files. And this time I deleted the destination
> files since they are dated and I do not want the old ones left in the
> destination folder, I just want the new ones copied.
>>> echo KMail database
>>> cd "\backup\mail"
>>> copy "C:\program files\mail\mail.mdb" .
>>>
>>> echo Trillian users
>>> cd "\backup\trillian users"
>>> xcopy "C:\program files\trillian\users\default\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>>
>>> echo Firefox
>>> C:\util\sleep 1
>>> cd \backup\firefox
>>> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application
>>> Data\Mozilla\Firefox\*.*" . /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>>
>>> echo Thunderbird
>>> C:\util\sleep 1
>>> cd \backup\thunderbird
>>> xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Application Data\Thunderbird\*.*"
>>> .. /E /Q /H /R /Y
>>>
>>> rem pause
>>> rem uncomment this if you want it to pause to see results.
>>>
>
> If you don't know batch files then I might want to say, don't try it.
> You kinda have to know batch files. But I'll try the first part.
> See above.
> If you google 'how to do batch commands' or some similar search, I'm sure
> there are help pages on how to write batch files and other commands.
> HTH.
 
On Jun 6, 9:51 am, Eric <E...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I use my PC 90% of the time but when I travel is there an easy way to copy
> files in one or two keystrokes to a USB? Right now I use windows explorer
> and finding every file (palm organizer, account database, miscellaneous .xls
> & .doc files) then copy them to my USB storage. I'm sure there's an easier
> way.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric

I use Heatsoft ADCS and it works great.
 
Back
Top