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Microsoft® Windows® XP Features

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 745 User's Guide

  Transferring Information to a New Computer

  User Accounts and Fast User Switching

  Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Transferring Information to a New Computer

The Microsoft^® Windows^® XP operating system provides a 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 a removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.

NOTE: You can transfer information from the old computer to the 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 some countries.

For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System CD 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 CD

NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System CD. This CD is optional and may not be included with all computers.

To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:

1. Start the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
   
   
2. When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
   
   
3. On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
   
   
4. On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD and click Next.
   
   
5. 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:

1. On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.
   
   
2. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
   
   
3. Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.
   
   
4. On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
   
   
5. On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
   
   
6. On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
   
   
7. 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.

8. Click Finish.
   
   

To transfer data to the new computer:

1. On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
   
   
2. 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.

3. Click Finished and restart the new computer.
   
   

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD

To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System CD, 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:

1. Click the Start button.
   
   
2. Click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
   
   
3. When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
   
   
4. On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
   
   
5. On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive: and click Next.
   
   
6. Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.
   
   
7. When the disk creation completes and the Now go to your old computer message appears, do not click Next.
   
   
8. Go to the old computer.
   
   

To copy data from the old computer:

1. On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.
   
   
2. Click the Start button and click Run.
   
   
3. In the Open field on the Run window, browse to the path for fastwiz (on the appropriate removable media) and click OK.
   
   
4. On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
   
   
5. On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
   
   
6. On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
   
   
7. 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.

8. Click Finish.
   
   

To transfer data to the new computer:

1. On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
   
   
2. 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.

3. Click Finished and restart the new computer.
   
   

NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for document #PA1089586 (How Do I 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 some countries.

User Accounts and Fast User Switching

Adding User Accounts

After the Microsoft Windows XP operating system is installed, the administrator or a user with administrator rights can create additional user accounts.

1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
   
   
2. In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts.
   
   
3. Under Pick a task, click Create a new account.
   
   
4. Under Name the new account, type the name of the new user and click Next.
   
   
5. 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.

6. Click Create Account.
   
   

Fast User Switching

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.

Fast User Switching allows multiple users to access one computer without requiring the previous user to log off.

1. Click the Start button and click Log Off.
   
   
2. 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. For information about how to access the Windows Help and Support Center, see Finding Information.

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

To connect a network cable:

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.

1. 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.

2. Connect the other end of the network cable to a network device.
   
   

Network Setup Wizard

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.

1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard.
   
   
2. On the Network Setup Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
   
   
3. 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.

4. Complete the checklist and required preparations.
   
   
5. Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
   
   

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