Customer Reviews

Cables To Go 39977 USB 2.0 Vista Compatible Data Transfer Cable

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This cable is a one-trick-pony; use it to set up a new computer and throw it away. It seems to rely solely on Microsoft's software intended only for migrating user data to a new computer. This transfer is orchestrated by a `wizard' that leaves the user very little choice in what files get moved and where they go. Any potential for general transfer of individual files back and forth between computers is wasted. Any implication that this is possible is pure puffery.

The word `easy' in the name is, of course, a common commercial euphemism for `better than nothing'. It does not mean `quick', so don't make any plans for the rest of the day once you get started. But if you have just bought a replacement for a computer that is still in operable condition this device will probably save you a lot of trouble in reconstructing your old set up on the new machine.

It is important to understand that this cable only copies settings and data. It DOES NOT copy your programs. And it does not copy your settings if you don't have the program. So make sure you have the installation disks for your programs and install them on the new machine before transferring your settings.

I just used this cable to transfer my files, music, pictures, etc from an XP laptop to a Vista laptop (both Dell). Not only did the process work seamlessly, but it was very fast. Just follow the simple instructions and you should have no problem.

I wish I would've had this cable when I first started to transfer files from my XP laptop to my Vista laptop (I originally used the option of transferring over the network). With the cable, transfer time was cut down tremendously, and I didn't have to worry about the transfer erroring out (without warning or error messages displayed). The installation instructions were simple. Shipping was fast, it arrived earlier than expected. Overall, great product and great buy.

I purchased this item to transfer all my files from my old to my new computer. I installed it and it has not worked. I mainly purchased it because it was supposed to be compatible with Windows Vista. I have tried to uninstall and re-install the cable and it still does not work. I had to use CDs a number of times to transfer the files. I would NOT recommend this product to anyone.

First, it took extra time to get the cable because the item was on back order. When I received the cable, the cable turned out to be defective, according to their tech support. Tech support gave me an RMA number and provided a shipping label to return the cable postage paid. Credit was received for the cable when return shipped. No problem so far. However, I was not credited for the shipping cost when I ordered the cable. The rep said their policy is no credit for shipping cost on returns. My issue is that they charged me to ship a defective item. I feel that I should have been credited for the full amount. It should not cost the consumer for the seller to ship a defective item.

Repeated follow up emails have gone unanswered. BEWARE!

Transfered data from a windows xp laptop to a windows Vista laptop,
set up and transfer was excellent.

It was an easy and painless method of transfering all your files and settings from a PC with XP to another with Vista, just load the software, connect the cable, make your files and setting choises and voila.

I think there is a myth out there that when you buy a transfer cable that all your issues will be solved for your new system. I guess in a "perfect world" that would be so, and Murphys law would never apply.

Funny thing happened to me. Both computers froze during transfer, and on the old system screen it said specifically no files transferred over to the new system. Well, I normally would presume that would be correct, and so I did a transfer the second time. Low and behold the second transfer took. To make a four hour long story short, I had to restore to the factory settings of the new computer because both transfers took.

Perhaps if I was transferring from an XP system to another XP system, it may work better. Thankfully, I have been playing with computers for well over ten years; the consequence was four hours of wasted time. But if you are brand new, would you know what to do?

I think the cable can be useful in a "perfect world" where transfers happen the first time all the time, and system settings are simplistic on the old system. However, if your a newbie, and don't know what your doing, you may find yourself in a panic state. Don't panic! You can always restore your new system to the original state. There will be no effect on your old computer. To all oldbies like myself I ended up downloading all my old files on my external, went usb, and I got what I needed and set up my new computer my way. If I did that originally, I would have saved three hours of time...

This may be a Windows limitation or a Cables to Go limitation, I don't know but it renders the cable almost useless. If for any reason it cannot transfer a single file, rather than bypass the file and continue, while logging all such failures as any decent program would, instead it just stops transferring files altogether.

Having read some of the reviews regarding how slow the process is, I set it up to transfer overnight. However, about 8% into the transfer it met a file (a simple photo file) it couldn't handle. Thus in the morning it was still stuck at 8%.

The PC with Vista gives me the option to continue and bypass the file and resume the transfer(which again should be automatic) but the PC with XP won't restart the transfer nor does it give me the option. The only option on the XP machine is to exit and start over.

Each time you can determine what did get transferred and eliminate those major folders on the next attempt. However, the file selection does not allow you to drill down into the folders to say, just save a game data file with your personal settings. Instead you have to transfer over the main folders, program files and all. This obviously adds a lot of time to the process and you end up with a lot of useless files on the new PC.

I finally ended up doing it old school, transferring files a few folders at a time with a geek stick. But it works and I'm transferring only the files I need.

I purchased a new computer recently and wanted to transfer my files from one computer to another. I attempted to use it first to transfer from XP to XP. It took most of the night and failed to transfer even a modest number of files.

Well, one of the computers was older with the older USB ports. I figured I give it a try with a more recent laptop and the new computer (Vista OS). Still lousy.

It's SLOW, gives no indication of how much longer the transfer will take (presumably, a number of days or weeks to transfer anything in excess of 500MB).

I finally resorted to an online transfer system via remote, although it might be simpler to purchase an external hard drive. Anyway, I recommend that you save your $25 and don't buy this product.