Customer Reviews

AlohaBob PC Relocator Ultra Control 2004 [Old Version]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

I purchased this product expecting it to be useful in the migration of files and applications from my existing Windows 98SE PC to my new Windows 2000 Professional PC. I expected it to perform better than competitor's products, based on user reviews on the Internet and on Amazon.com. Instead, the results were quite the opposite.
To put it simply, this product failed miserably at moving the majority of my Applications from my older Win98SE PC to my newer Windows 2000 PC. Major applications, including Office 97, Outlook, Frontpage, Netscape Navigator, AVG Antivirus 6.0, Serif PagePlus 8.0, and others, all had to be re-installed from scratch, which tripled the labor factor that I expected, based on your product's description. I can not begin to describe the incredible hassle I have to now go through to sort out which folders contain mere portions of prior applications (text files, Word docs, but no application files), and which contain the real working applications. I have been left with a virtual hodgepodge of partially populated folders from previous applications, that are nearly impossible to sort out. In fact, I do not now trust that any fully-relocated application will now function properly. For [the price], I expected a lot more! Fool me once, shame on me... but, they will not fool me again.

By the way, Eisenworld refused to refund my purchase price and actually returned the product back to me, so they do not even stand behind their product's promises. And I'm stuck with an unreturnable product!

Used it to move to my new Dell 4550 from my old Compaq running Windows 98 SE. The USB cable was tricky to connect, but the phone support, and online Knowledge Base cleared that up. After that it was as easy as pie. I moved Office 2000, Adobe Photoshop, and several Macromedia programs. I had to renter the serials on the Macromedia programs, but all my email, my files, and most importantly my MP3's came over. I highly recommend it.

Seems like people are really polarized around this software. For me it worked really well. Before buying it, I contacted Eisenworld tech support and asked them about various applications that I cared about (particularly Adobe Illustrator and VMWare). They responded within a day, and told me Illustrator would work, and they weren't certain about VMWare.

I bought the PC Relocator Ultra Control version of the product, and migrated my apps and data from my Windows 2000 Pro laptop (running a seriously damaged version of Windows - due to viruses and four years of bitrot) to a new Dell machine runnning XP Pro. I selected the option to transfer everything via TCP/IP over my home network.

Apart from an odd error message at one point (it looked like Aloha Bob was trying to read one of its own documentation files from my source machine and failing to find it), the transfer went smoothly. I successfully transferred MS Office, Adobe Illustrator, Quicken, and several other applications that I use heavily. Sure enough, VMWare did not transfer properly (if anyone has a successful experience transferring VMWare from one machine to another please let me know). But I can't really fault Eisenworld for that. Their application delivered what they promised it would, and by spending $70 I rescued several hundred dollars worth of software.

So I'm pretty happy. I'd recommend this software. If anyone else has a bad experience and wants to write a review, please mention which method you used to transfer the data. Maybe TCP/IP is the only reliable one.

I purchased PC Relocator Ultra last week, I transferred my data using a crossover cable- it worked perfectly ( and much faster than the supplied usb cable. A couple of things I learned while using the software - make sure you check for product updates - and do not transfer programs like anti-virus software - or programs that use specific hardware ( like cd writing software) -- those did not transfer to well - but everything else came out better than expected --

*I am the type of user that does not read the manual, I just try to figure it out - after reading all the documentation I found that they do not recommend transferring anti-virus software and hardware specific software - Well I guess transferring 48 programs out of 50 is not to bad--

1) Read & follow instructions very carefully. Mistakes could be catastrophic. 2) unless you're pretty good with computers (e.g., can set up home network w/o many problems), don't use it b/c its too finicky. 3) Download trial version from Eisenworld.com & pay if it works, undo if not. 4) It doesn't move utility programs (norton av & sw, zonelab) & they will be a pain to reinstall. 5) empty trash & delete internet caches etc. before moving. 6) I used this from XP->XP over tcp/ip, with automatic settings, so it work but with quirks. 7) only migrates to 1 & only 1 target PC.

By and large PC Relocator Ultra worked for me. I used a Network Crossover cable. This was not easy to install. The so-called automatic feature whereby PC Relocator will change your computer network's settings for you did not work. I had to make the setting change manually on both computers. Likewise the utility for changing the network settings back to their original settings did not work and I had to reconfigure them manually before I was able to get on the Internet again.

Likewise although the program told me that I shouldn't and couldn't transfer Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Anti-Virus 2003 was transferred but seems to work just fine in its new location. The computer which I purchased had Norton Internet Security 2004 installed and when activating it, it recognized the Norton 2003 and the two work seamlessly thus far.

My scanner no longer works, but the manufacturer's web site says that that the software is not compatible with the Windows XP operating system for my new computer so I'll have to purchase a new scanner and software if I want to continue scanning.

My Family Tree Maker Version 11 is working fine although for some reason the name I have given to my main file (My wife and my first names) was somehow changed in the transfer to my first and last name and a 5th cousin's first and last name!! (Go figure) None of the names in the file seem to have been lost

This said, I would recommend using PC Relocator. Most of my programs transferred just fine. I was given a warning by PC Relocator beforehand about those which probably wouldn't transfer and didn't, such as my TurboTax program. It said that they lacked installers with the programs and if I wanted to keep them I would have to manually re-install following transfer. This I have had to do.

.I had many programs and files to transfer and the actual transfer procedure took a little over 2 hours. The entire process of setting up took more time, of course. The process was slowed by the power going out which meant I had to start over. I had a battery backup power supply for my old computer, but not on the new one. My advice is to get an extra power supply even though it costs an extra $40.00 for the cheapest model. You'll save grief and your spouse's or friend's ears and sensibilities.

Using Aloha Bob PC Relocator Ultra Control, moving a very complicated and personal computing environment from Windows 98 to Windows XP Pro was "not too bad". It would have been "painless" had I known a trick in advance. Now that you will know it, it can be painless for you.

There are applications (such as Norton Utilities) which Aloha Bob PC Relocator wisely will not try to move from one PC to another. There may be other applications which you choose to re-install on the target PC rather than letting Aloha Bob PC Relocator move them for you.

For any application that you will be reinstalling on the target PC, INSTALL IT ON THE TARGET PC FIRST, before using Aloha Bob PC Relocator.

If you don't do this, then even though certain applications are not being moved by Aloha Bob PC Relocator, it will fretfully move just a few drivers, .dlls, and Registry entries from those applications that aren't supposed to be moved (because it thinks that someone might depend on them). What will happen at the other end is that the Installer for those apps will refuse to install them, because it will see enough scraps that it thinks they are already installed. And you cannot uninstall on the target PC, because not enough of the apps were moved. CATCH-22!

I had to manually delete scraps of applications that should not have been moved -- .dlls, drivers, and Registry entries. This was tedious and not very nice.

Now that I know this trick, I expect it to be painless next time, and I'm looking forward to using this product again.

Hello Bob!

After reading all of the reviews and downloading the trial to see for myself I have to give this product two thumbs up. I spent more than twenty years in the business of supporting computer systems. I have been on the Tech Support side of the phone too for some of the largests players in the PC and Macintosh worlds.
This product may very well be the Best of it's Kind, or even a one of a kind. I read all the reviews and I can see that some of the users may have been trying to move something that would have been better to do with just the net cable and some file sharing and not trying to use this product at all. No software is capable of protecting the user from themself.
My situation was like this. I had recently done a fresh from the ground up install, I then re-installed all the applications that I could from the CDs. That is number one the BEST way to reinstall any application. But I ran up against one program that I could not reinstall, it seems I have misplaced the disks when I moved. Maybe they are still in storage. The program originally cost hundreds and I needed it. I bought it, I own it, but I can't prove it with the disks. Attempts to just grab the folder(s) related failed. Copying registry entries failed. So, along comes BOB. I knew I still had the software installed on a laptop I used to use more than I do now, so I decided to try. What did I have to loose, Right?
Well the first attempt reported that I could not move the (only) application I wanted to move. Because of the existence of my attempt to do it myself manually. So I went back and removed all evidence of those attempts. Then it worked! HELLO BOB
I would not recommend this to users who believe they know what they are doing, only to those who do. It's a tool I can see myself using over and over in my work supporting systems, cloning installs, and procedures like that. Over time as Windows versions evolve this may be the Best and Fastest way to do the job.
I could have saved many hours of my time if I'd used this to begin with. I would still have used all the CD's and serial numbers that I could, but for something that you just CAN'T, this is perfect!
For those of you that don't feel comfortable, or don't read, or can't read, or just don't get it. Hire a professional, make sure they have experience with data and application migration...not the kid next door.
kevin

I used PC Relocator and PC Relocator Ultra Control a number of times. I have been super happy with the way it relocated my stuff. I read lots of review and contacted the company itself before purchasing this software. The customer service and technical support staff were VERY helpful. They answered my questions right away. I had an issue connecting with the USB cable and when I called tech support I was helped right away. They sent me a FREE crossover cable, which relocated my files at a much faster rate. I think people who did not like the software are not computer literate, there for they do not need to purchase sophisticated software like this one. They need to hire someone to move their items from one PC to another one. The PC Relocator is the easiest software I have ever used. All I did was install and moved my items. I recommend this software to all computer savvy people. You do not need to buy this software if you need help logging in to your PC. I suggest before purchasing this software you contact the company at 954-845-9941. They will be able to help you with any questions you have. They also offer a 100% return policy, which I suggest you take a look at before you buy.

I was nervous due to the price, but this and Desktop DNA are the only options to transfer applications, and DNA is much more expensive. Because of a recent move, I couldn't locate all my original installation disks, so it was either this or keep two computers until I could find the original disks for Word, Photoshop Elements, etc.

It comes with cables for ethernet crossover or high speed parallel port connection. You can also transfer files to removable media - zip, cd, etc - or with a USB bridge/data cable - needs 2 male plugs - if you can find one. My ethernet connection took 11 hours to complete, but it was worth every minute.

Nearly all the programs that didn't transfer were ones I'd removed partially or badly, things I didn't want anyway. The exception was Star Office 5.0 - I had the last freeware version from about a month before they started selling it. I suspect they left out the installation files to force people to get it from their own site or pay for it. It doesn't guarantee it can transfer all your programs, but I was very satisfied with how much it transferred.

The one error I made in my first attempt to use it was to allow the program to change my communication settings - then the crossover cable wouldn't recognize the other computer, and messed up my MS wireless network. I'd recommend telling that prompt "No," and only changing it if you can't connect after that.

Before getting to that point, please do your homework: You absolutely have to turn off or remove your antivirus program and firewall. It helps if you clean up your disk, defrag, remove unnecessary files, etc. It'll make the process much easier and smoother for you.

I LOVE this software. It's not perfect or 100% successful, but the 99% it did was more than I needed it to. I'd strongly recommend it at twice the price.