How to transfer files from a portable external hard drive to my new computer?

My Laptops power supply took a sh!t on me, yet again over the weekend and I can get the hard drive out of the old computer, put it in the external, hook it up with the USB cord and can't transfer the files that I need(yes, Mikey, same files)

I either need:

1. someone to re-fix the power supply on the old computer that TQCI told me they replaced(and didn't), gave me a year warranty on and then closed up shop 2 months later :ohwell:

OR......

2. someone to either tell me how to transfer the files or actually do the transfer from the external

What does that mean, you can't transfer? What's it doing (or not doing)? You should be able to see the external device under "My Computer" - then it's a simple matter of opening it up, drag and drop.

What does that mean, you can't transfer? What's it doing (or not doing)? You should be able to see the external device under "My Computer" - then it's a simple matter of opening it up, drag and drop.

the file transfers to the new computer but, then it won't open

I do that....the file transfers and then it won't open
So you can actually drag the file from the external to the new computer, but then you can't open the file on the new computer?

(I have no idea how to help you - I'm just clarifying the problem so when Mainman shows up he'll have all the information he needs. :lol: )

the file transfers to the new computer but, then it won't open
Is it because it requires some program to open it that isn't transfered? Just shooting in the dark here. :howdy:

the file transfers to the new computer but, then it won't open

Did you say please?

So you can actually drag the file from the external to the new computer, but then you can't open the file on the new computer?

(I have no idea how to help you - I'm just clarifying the problem so when Mainman shows up he'll have all the information he needs. :lol: )

Yes....The new computer has the programs that I need already installed.....I hook up the external hard drive via USB port and drag and drop the file(s) that I need to the new computer....

Then I go into the program that is supposed to have the files and click to open it and I get one of those "file not found" messages

I really do wish that TQCI hadn't bent me over the counter on this(or at least they could've used some lube)....the files that I need are my books and if I can't get them to open, it's going to take me at least 2 days to put it in this computer :banghead:

So you can actually drag the file from the external to the new computer, but then you can't open the file on the new computer?

(I have no idea how to help you - I'm just clarifying the problem so when Mainman shows up he'll have all the information he needs. :lol: )
:killingme :lmao:

I have a vague memory of transferring files that didn't actually transfer right away - what it did was put them in a queue, then I had to say "yep, transfer those files" before they would actually transfer. The "ghost" file was showing up, but it wasn't really there yet.

When you right-click the transferred file, does it give you a file size?

I've been considering purchasing an external harddrive (since my lappy has a capacity of 20GB...). But if its so much of a hassle...is it worth it? :popcorn:

Yes....The new computer has the programs that I need already installed.....I hook up the external hard drive via USB port and drag and drop the file(s) that I need to the new computer....

Then I go into the program that is supposed to have the files and click to open it and I get one of those "file not found" messages

I really do wish that TQCI hadn't bent me over the counter on this(or at least they could've used some lube)....the files that I need are my books and if I can't get them to open, it's going to take me at least 2 days to put it in this computer :banghead:


Have you tried to open the file on the external hard drive without copying it?

When you right-click the transferred file, does it give you a file size?

Nope....just gives me the name of the file and the date it was modified

Have you tried to open the file on the external hard drive without copying it?

yes....and it won't let me open it

yes....and it won't let me open it


Sounds like your file is corrupted. Can you open ANY files on the drive?

I have a vague memory of transferring files that didn't actually transfer right away - what it did was put them in a queue, then I had to say "yep, transfer those files" before they would actually transfer. The "ghost" file was showing up, but it wasn't really there yet.

When you right-click the transferred file, does it give you a file size?

:yeahthat: thats what I am thinking.

Sounds like your file is corrupted. Can you open ANY files on the drive?

I had the files opened on Friday morning and they were fine

I can't get any of the files to open using the new computer

I had the files opened on Friday morning and they were fine

I can't get any of the files to open using the new computer


Were you using any kind of encryption?

Were you using any kind of encryption?

nope

nope


What died on your other laptop?

What died on your other laptop?

The pin in the back of the computer that the power supply plugs into....this is the second time it's done it within 6 months

From what TQCI told me was they had to replace the entire board(power supply/USB ports/internet hook-up/etc)....they apparently had to get the new one from the factory and it took 6-8 weeks to get here

The pin in the back of the computer that the power supply plugs into....this is the second time it's done it within 6 months

From what TQCI told me was they had to replace the entire board(power supply/USB ports/internet hook-up/etc)....they apparently had to get the new one from the factory and it took 6-8 weeks to get here
A lot of times the cord end goes bad. You can get replacements from Radio Shack.

A lot of times the cord end goes bad. You can get replacements from Radio Shack.

Been there, did that, wasn't the problem, took it back to Best Buy

Is the file extension for those files linked to a program? For example, .doc files should be linked to use Microsoft Word to open them. If it's not linked, the computer doesn't know what to do with them.

Is the file extension for those files linked to a program? For example, .doc files should be linked to use Microsoft Word to open them. If it's not linked, the computer doesn't know what to do with them.

Yeah, they're linked

Yeah, they're linkedYou sure know a lot about computers. You should have it fixed by now.... :lmao:

Yeah, they're linked

Have you tried hooking the external hard drive to a different computer and see if that one could access it?

Have you tried hooking the external hard drive to a different computer and see if that one could access it?


:yeahthat: Good idea, that's what I was thinking. :smile:

You sure know a lot about computers. You should have it fixed by now.... :lmao:

:smack: and you should've figured it out the last time it happened

but, I know....the race was on and you were pre-occupied :rolleyes:

:smack: and you should've figured it out the last time it happened

but, I know....the race was on and you were pre-occupied :rolleyes:What type of cable are you trying to use for the transfer? And how old is your pc that you are using?

What type of cable are you trying to use for the transfer? And how old is your pc that you are using?

using the USB cable that came with the external

Computer is brand new as of Saturday

New idea, can you create a new file on the external drive such as a text file, save it, and then reopen it?

Note: Next one is a long shot, but weirder things happen.
Other idea I had was (and any admin types correct me if I get this wrong) did you use the same user name on the new computer as the old? I am wondering if the file permissions are mixed up due to any security settings.