Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

As being a photographer of more years than I can remember, I know a fair amount about the Art. However...I admit that I am only a photographer, and not a computer guru. That said...and not to take much of your time, here is my question:

I am currently upgrading my entire system. A new laptop will be one of the factors.

Since I see no need to "TRANSFER ALL FILES" from the old computer to the new one, can I just transfer some of the "FILES I WANT TO KEEP" to one of my "EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES"???

I am aware that I can "RIGHT CLICK" on a file such as "DOCUMENTS" or "OTHER FILES" (I realize that this is not true of "ALL FILES") and "SEND TO" one of my External Hard Drives.

I see no reason why I can't? I would do this now, but it would take up time, and right now I want to wait until I decide on the new laptop!

I will keep the older laptop, so I don't see the need to transfer and store all of the files I have kept through the years. ( Like many of you, I hate to "DELETE" files)

I hope my idea is correct. I just wanted someone else's opinion, or maybe there is "A BETTER WAY"!

Thanks for any ideas or opinions you may have. I stand appreciative on your views!!!

Thanks,
Boone.

Ps: I hate change, but I know...it's time!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Are you asking if you should simply connect an external harddrive and copy all the files from the old computer to the HD? Don't you have all these files backed up already? If 'no', you've got a new item for your worklist of technology upgrades.

Or, does this question touch on a problem of hoarding and you're concerned you'll just move the hoard from one machine to another? That's a different issue. But, getting the 'right sized' HD is a useful step. I'd look at a new 4TB or 5TB model to allow room for growth and capacity as your new back-up media, pending possible improvements in culling.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

If I understand your question, the answer is Yes.
The best way to prove this is to do a test.
Create a folder, put some misc. photos in it.
With your external drive plugged in, copy the folder over to the external.
If you are happy with the result, you will then have a solution.

lfdavis Loc: Pelham, Alabama

If it's just files, like jpg's, etc. then that OK. In fact, keeping all you photographs on an external hard drive is an excellent way to back them up, and it keeps your computer hard drive from filling up. The only time you have to be concerned with a complete transfer is if you're moving the entire operating system hard drive (C:) to another computer. Programs, like your photography editing program (Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, etc.), have information that they need to run in the Registry area of the operating system. So, if you have a new laptop, AND want to run a program that's on the old laptop, AND didn't run a complete transfer, you'll have to do a new install of that program on the new laptop. That way, the necessary info the program needs to run is stored in the Registry of the new laptop.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Thanks. You understood my question perfectly!!! I only backup files that I care about (and these are already backed up) so I see no need to be overly redundant.

I guess, I just needed some conformation on my "THINKING OUT LOUD THOUGHTS"!

Thanks again for your time.

Thanks,
Boone.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

[quote=lfdavis]If it's just files, like jpg's, etc. then that OK. In fact, keeping all you photographs on an external hard drive is an excellent way to back them up, and it keeps your computer hard drive from filling up. The only time you have to be

Those programs, or files (Editing programs etc...etc.) I will reload on the new laptop, and leave other files, or programs I no longer use, on the old laptop.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Thanks,
Boone.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

For a laptop, I don't keep non-program files on the internal anyway. I put programs and system files there for speed of operation. Data files are already on an external drive.

User ID

Same here. No data on board.

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

If it's photos you want to move and if you have Photoshop then Bridge has the "right click/copy to" command. In fact you can download Bridge free in any case.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

All my photos are backed up to ex. HD's. I used PS for years but have switched to ON1 Photo RAW and could not be happier! ON1 is 95% for photographers and has all the features I want. I also have PSE and Affinity.

I was more concerned about "Other Files", more than photos.

I thank you for your thoughts and your time. Much appreciated!!!

Thanks,
Boone.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I would not have A backup I would have 2 to protect your self. Drives fail!

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

What software, if any, do you use to manage your photos? If it's Lightroom, I foresee issues if you move photos outside of Lightroom's knowledge.

John Hicks Loc: Sible Hedinham North Essex England

I back up all of my pictures up on to four separate hard drives that way I am not relying on just one drive, personally I do not like the raid configuration so all the drives are individual

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

I have used PS almost from its beginning.

Then they came out with PSE.

PSE progressed as Adobe catered more to photographers with ELEMENTS OF PHOTO SHOP. (Known as PSE)

Then they came out with LR.

I had these, and was happy with them all. Eventually, I realized that PSE did all that I needed for Photography.

Then "Adobe" became a company that you had a hell of a time talking to. "I mean a REAL PERSON"!

Then Adobe became a "SUBSCRIPTION" and I too used this for awhile.

Then I became familiar with "Affinity Photo". It is a full blown Software. I do like this for really extensive projects.

Then I discovered..."ON1 RAW' and I knew I finally found a Software for "THIS PHOTOGRAPHER"!!!

ON1 has "EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY SOFTWARE". I really love this program, and now I

use: ON1...PSE...and Affinity Photo. (And a real person will get back to me, if I need one to)

And I use some of ON1 photo organizer. (100% easier then LR)

AND I "OWN" all 3!!!!

Yep, I know a fair amount about Photography, but I can get bye with computers.

And..if I can't find the answer I am looking for in my research, I just ask the "GOOD PEOPLE LIKE YOU" here on UHH!!!!!

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated!



Thanks,
Boone.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Very good approach... I use my internal SSD as working space. When I’m done, projects are stored and backed up on two external drives.

Then I zap the files off the internal SSD. Lightroom catalogs follow the projects.