Data Transfer in Amherst, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions about data transfer.

• What's the difference between data transfer and new computer setup?

  Overlap, but different scope. New computer setup is the comprehensive service that includes data transfer plus software installation, email setup, printer configuration, and bloatware removal. Data transfer alone is just moving files and certain settings from one machine to another, useful when the customer wants to handle the rest of the configuration themselves.

  Bring data transfer alone if you're technically comfortable doing your own setup but want the migration done by someone with the right tools. Bring new computer setup if you want the whole thing handled.

• What can be transferred?

  Files in the standard senses: documents, photos, videos, music, downloads, anything in your normal folders. Browser data: bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history (when you sign in to the same browser account). Email archives: depends on email setup but most can come across. Application data: depending on the application, sometimes yes, sometimes the app needs to be reinstalled and reconfigured. System settings: some carry across with platform-specific tools (Migration Assistant on Mac, various tools on PC), others have to be reconfigured.

  What doesn't transfer cleanly: applications themselves usually need to be reinstalled (though Migration Assistant on Mac and some PC tools handle this), license activations sometimes don't carry, system-level customizations vary by platform.

• How long does data transfer take?

  Depends on volume. A few gigabytes of documents transfers in minutes. A 500 GB photo and video library takes hours. The transfer happens over wired connections (USB, Thunderbolt, ethernet) or sometimes wifi when wired isn't practical. We give you a realistic timeline at intake.

  For very large transfers (multiple terabytes of media), the transfer itself may run overnight, with the rest of the appointment being verification and configuration.

• Can you transfer between Mac and PC?

  Yes. Cross-platform transfer is more involved than same-platform but doable. We migrate documents and media (which are mostly portable), browser bookmarks (which sync through accounts), and email archives where possible. Applications don't cross between platforms, so Mac apps need Windows equivalents and vice versa.

• My old computer won't turn on. Can you still get the data off?

  Often yes, by removing the drive and connecting it to our equipment. If the computer's problem is the motherboard, screen, or other components but the drive itself is fine, the data is usually fully recoverable. If the drive itself has failed, see our data recovery service.

• I have an old external hard drive with files I want on my new computer. Can you help?

  Yes, this is common. We pull files off external drives, organize them on the new computer, and verify everything copied successfully. For external drives that won't mount or have errors, see data recovery.

• Will my email come across?

  Usually yes, with caveats based on email setup. IMAP-based email (most modern email: Gmail, iCloud, Outlook.com, business email) lives on the server and just needs the new computer's email client configured to connect; messages appear automatically. POP-based email (older style) had messages downloaded to the old computer; we copy the local mail file to the new one.

• What about my Photos library?

  Photos library transfer is one of the most common and most important migrations. Apple Photos library on Mac copies as a single file. Windows Photos library is more dispersed but transferable. iCloud Photos and Google Photos sync automatically through their respective cloud accounts. We make sure everything is there and accessible after the transfer.

• Can you transfer my QuickBooks / Quicken file?

  Yes. Each financial application has its own file format. We copy the data file to the new computer along with any backup files. The application itself needs to be reinstalled on the new computer (separate from data transfer) and the data file then opened.

• Will my saved passwords come across?

  Sign in to the same browser account on the new computer (Chrome with your Google account, Firefox with your Firefox account, Edge with your Microsoft account, Safari with iCloud Keychain) and saved passwords sync automatically. For password managers (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden), sign in on the new computer and your vault is there.

• How much does data transfer cost?

  Quoted at the appointment based on volume and complexity. Small transfers are quick. Large transfers with many file types and accounts take longer.