You can use your operating system "wizards" to help you transfer files and other data from one computer to another—for example, from an old computer to a new computer. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to the operating system that your computer is running.
Microsoft Windows Vista®
Click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Transfer files and settings®Start
Windows Easy Transfer.
In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
Click Start a new transfer or Continue a transfer in progress.
Follow the instructions provided on the screen by the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.
Microsoft® Windows® XP
The MicrosoftWindows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer. You can transfer data, such as:
E-mail messages
Toolbar settings
Window sizes
Internet bookmarks
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.
NOTE: You can transfer information from an old computer to a new computer by directly connecting a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps, such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer.
For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This information may not be available in certain countries.
For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System media for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media
NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System media. This media is optional and may not be included with certain computers.
To prepare a new computer for the file transfer:
Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click Start®All Programs®Accessories® System
Tools®Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer®Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP
CD®Next.
When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source computer. Do not
click Next at this time.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System media.
On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings® Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer®Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
settings and files and click Next.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
Click Finished and restart the new computer.
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media
To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System media, you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media.
To create a wizard disk, use your new computer with Windows XP and perform the following steps:
Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click Start®All Programs®Accessories® System
Tools®Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer®Next.
On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following
drive® Next.
Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.
When the disk creation completes and the Now go to your old computer message appears,
do not click Next.
Go to the old computer.
To copy data from the old computer:
On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.
Click Start®Run.
In the Open field on the Run window, browse to the path for fastwiz (on the appropriate removable
media) and click OK.
On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer®Next.
On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.
After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your
settings and files and click Next. Follow the instructions on the screen.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.
Click Finished and restart the new computer.
NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for document #154781 (What Are The Different Methods To Transfer Files From My Old Computer To My New Dell™ Computer Using the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System?).
NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in certain countries.
User Accounts and Fast User Switching
Adding User Accounts
After the operating system is installed, the administrator or a user with administrator rights can create additional user accounts.
Windows Vista
Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Control Panel.
Click Add or remove user accounts.
If the User Account Control dialog box appears, click Continue or type an administrator password and click Submit.
In the Manage Accounts window, click Create a new account.
Type the name you want to use for the new account and click the account type you want.
Click Create Account.
The new account name appears in the User Accounts window.
Windows XP
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts.
Under Pick a task, click Create a new account.
Under Name the new account, type the name of the new user and click Next.
Under Pick an account type, click one of the following options:
Computer administrator — You can change all computer settings.
Limited — You can change only your own personal settings, such as your password. You cannot install programs or use the Internet.
NOTE: Additional options may be available, depending on whether you are using Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional. Also, options available in Windows XP Professional vary depending on whether your computer is connected to a domain.
Click Create Account.
Fast User Switching
Fast User Switching allows multiple users to access one computer without requiring the previous user to log off.
Windows Vista
Click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Transfer files and settings®Start Windows
Easy Transfer.
The current user's name and picture appear on the Start menu.
Click the right-arrow icon in the lower-right corner of the Start menu.
Click Switch User.
Click the name of the user account you want to switch to.
Enter your password, if applicable.
Click the Go arrow.
Click Start.
The user's name and picture now appear in the Start menu.
Windows XP
NOTE: Fast User Switching is unavailable if your computer is running Windows XP Professional and is a member of a computer domain, or if your computer has less than 128 MB of memory.
Click the Start button and click Log Off.
In the Log Off Windows window, click Switch User.
When you use Fast User Switching, programs that previous users were using remain running in the background, which might decrease your computer's response time. Also, multimedia programs, such as games and DVD software, might not work with Fast User Switching. For more information, see the Windows Help and Support Center.
Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Connecting to a Network Adapter
NOTE: Plug the network cable into the network adapter connector on the computer. Do not plug the network cable into the modem connector on the computer. Do not plug a network cable into a telephone wall jack.
Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer.
Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.
Connect the other end of the network cable to a network device.
1
network adapter connector
2
network device
3
network cable
4
network adapter connector on computer
Network Setup Wizard
Windows Vista
Click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Connect To® Set up a connection or
network.
Select an option under Choose a connection option.
Click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.
Windows XP
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® Communications, and then click
Network Setup Wizard.
On the Network Setup Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
Click Checklist for creating a network.
NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later.
Complete the checklist and required preparations.
Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
