Customer Reviews

AlohaBob PC Relocator 2005

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

AlohaBob PC Relocator is the "lite" version of the award-winning AlohaBob PC Relocator Ultra Control, which is twice as expensive but more useful. I found the following information from alahabob's website (alohabob dot com):

"What are the differences between PC Relocator and PC Relocator Ultra?

The three main key features Ultra offers over the regular version are:
-Custom Migration (ability to pick and choose the applications, settings, and files to transfer to the new PC)
-Support of TCP/IP network migration (via crossover cable, router or existing local network connection)
-Backup to intermediate storage file (allows you to backup your applications, settings, and files and restore at a later time)"

For me #1 was a must, as I had some programs on my old PC that had lots of performance problems, so with those programs, I wanted to start on the new PC from a clean slate. With other programs, I did want to preserve all the settings and user files. #2 was nice to have, since doing a TCP transfer was much faster than over USB. (Be warned, though, that your router might have to be configured to allow the peer networking needed, which could be a pain in the ass depending on your router.)

The product installed per instructions. However, when I attempted to transfer files, the product I purchased did not allow selection of specific files to relocate. ALL files had to be relocated! However, if you wanted to be able to select specific files, then you have to buy the ULTRA version (costs twice as much). I feel this limitation of the product should have been clearly stated on the box. I am sending the product back to Eisenworld for a refund.

I wish I had read the reviews here rather than picking this up on impulse. It absolutely does not state anywhere on the package that this software will ONLY transfer EVERYTHING on one pc to the other. In fact, when you install the software it LOOKS as though you can pick and choose but the check boxes are not responsive - you have to upgrade to the Ultra version to unlock them.
PC Relocator estimated that it would take 124 hours (!!!) to migrate all my files from one PC to the other. I left it running for 8 hours and when I came back it was down to 121 hours! I could manually install everything on the new PC and move across all the files using a 64mb flash drive in a fraction of the time.
I feel totally conned. I read the packaging for this product and another that cost $40 more and this one sounded better. It even had better reviews quoted on the box - they were probably lifted from reviews of the Ultra version. What a lie.

Put simply, this software does not work.

I had my notebook pc hooked up to my new desktop (with the cable that came in the box) to transfer 18 gigabytes worth of programs and settings. When it was finally done transfering 47 hours, 6 minutes later I was so excited to go on my new PC! Soon after the computers restarted I was furious. My new computer had a totally different background and settings, none of the programs were installed correctly and I kept getting error messages. I had to do a "system restore" to undo the transfer. I ended up manually changing the settings and installing the programs and transfering my old files to my new PC over our wireless network.

Do not get this product. It is an absolute waste of money and time (I threw away my whole weekend messing with this thing). It will leave your new PC with a neverending stream of error messages and hardache. The easiest way to transfer your files, programs and settings is manually, not with PCRelocator.

I'm now trying to send my software back. I've sent the required fax and am awaiting for them to "accept" my "appliaction". As they state "not all applications will be accepted". Whatever happened to their 100% money back guarentee on the side of the box? I give up.

I warn you- do not waste your time and money buying this program.

Several years ago, I bought PC Relocator 4.0 when I acquired a new computer. Version 4.0 allowed you to pick and choose what programs and files you wanted to transfer. It took some time to set up both computers and to select the many files and programs I wanted to transfer, but once that was done the transfer went flawlessly.

When I recently bought a new computer, the first thing I did was go to the store and buy the latest version, PC Relocator 6.0, remembering how well it worked the first time around. To my dismay, I found what James Honeycutt described in an earlier review. Instead of allowing you to pick and choose which software and files to move, you have to move everything. It's all or none. Since I planned to upgrade most of my software, I wanted to move just two or three programs to the new computer, and I wanted to move only about half of my documents. The rest was older stuff that I was going to delete. As Mr. Honeycutt described, in order to pick and choose the things you want to move, you have to buy the Ultra Control version. If you have already bought the regular version and you want to upgrade to Ultra Control, it will cost you an additional $39.95. In the end, I copied the files I wanted onto a couple CD's did not use PC Relocator at all.

The reason I am giving this product only one star is that none of this is made clear on the box. When I bought PC Relocator years ago, there was only one version that did everything. When I purchased this version, I wasn't even aware that Alohabob was now offering two versions of PC Relocator: this stripped down version and the full version. Unlike other software products, there was no grid or other description on the back of the box showing what each version could or couldn't do. Most software with multiple versions will have a side-by-side comparison so that you can decide which one is right for you. PC Relocator does not have a side by side comparison. Unless you happen to see both versions in the store, you could end up being stuck with a version you can't use, as I was.

If you want to copy everything on your old computer to your new computer, will this version work? I can't answer that because I didn't get that far. After spending an hour and a half reading the manual, setting up both computers side-by-side, wiring them together, and loading the software on both, I discovered that this version of the software couldn't do what the old version did. If you want to indiscriminately copy everything, I can't speak from personal experience about this version. All I can say is that when I used an older version a few years ago, it worked well. If you want to move only selected items to your new computer, be prepared to spend twice as much for the Ultra Control version