Mass transfer of data?

[JonnyBoy]

Well, my project is nearing completion, and I still have one thing I am not certain of.

I have all my software and emulators on my home computer, I am determined not to hook my MAME machine up to the internet to avoid any chance of gunk.

I do have a wireless router, that isn't hooked up because it wouldn't let me use my e-mail client when I did have it hooked up. So maybe I could unhook it from the internet but keep it attached to the computer, and use my USB wireless thingy to transfer data?

Do they make double ended USB cables for data transfer?

What do you think? Any other ideas.

[trumpetr]

Burn a CD or a DVD?

[JonnyBoy]

Unfortunately I have over 20 gigs of stuff to transfer. That's a lot of CDs and DVDs.

[PCtech]

If your wireless router has multiple ports (it should), then you could disconnect your Modem (internet) and just hook up the 2 PC's.  It will take a little configuring, but you should be able to transfer data between the 2 units.

One thing to think about...if you haven't backed up the data (20GB), burning it to DVD (should be able to get it w 5 DVDs) would allow you to transfer it to your PC, and keep a backup copy.

It's a little time consuming at first, but I took time to organize my stuff on separate DVDs so that when updates, new revisions., new romsets come out, I only need to "re-create" certain DVDs.

You could also look, into using your original PC hard drive (the one with the data), and "piggy-back" it in your new system.  That way you have 2 hard drives in the new system.  Then you can transfer the data (fastest way, especially with that much data), then when you're done, you can put the original drive, back into the original PC.

Let me know if you need any help with that last idea, it can be a little tricky if you've never done it before.   



Good luck!

[zaphod]

I second the last idea of PCTech.

Remove the HD from your MAME machine, and hook it up as a slave drive in your main machine.  Copy data.  Then put HD back in your cab's PC. 

20 gig also isn't really that much, unless you lose it and need to reload.  You DO need a backup.

[JonnyBoy]

I've done the piggyback concept before, it would just be a pain in my current situation because of how everything is mounted. I may be forced to go that route.

I just wanted something non-evasive.

So if I have two Ethernet cables and plug them both into the wireless router, I can transfer data? What would I have to configure?

[dpz147]

Ditto on the slaved drive.  Transferring 20 gig wireless would take forever. To answer your original question they do sell a USB cable, or at least they used to.  I can't imagine anyone would by them any more since we have 10/100/1000 ethernet networks.

Best options:
1) Slave the drive to the original system
...or next best...
2) Use your router and Cat5 cable to both PCs.  Routers are pretty much plug and play these days if everything is set up on DHCP.  You would just need to share the wanted files.

A backup to a removeable media like DVD is a good idea as well even though you will have an exact copy on 2 machines already.

[dpz147]

Just follow the basic setup instructions on your router, connect the cables, ensure that your PCs are set to DHCP (which they should have been out of the box unless you changed them), right click on the files to tranfer and click on "Sharing and security", click "Share this folder".  Now on the target PC the file should show up in "My Network Places".  Just copy and paste.

That should pretty much do it.  Good luck! 

[bionicbadger]

Do they make double ended USB cables for data transfer?

What do you think? Any other ideas.

Why USB?
They make and ethernet cable called a "crossover" cable (or you can make one yourself), just plug that into the network port on each machine and you don't need a router.

[JonnyBoy]

Eh, just tossing ideas around.

[mccoy178]

I personally have an external HD that I use to transfer large amounts of data.  You could buy just an enclosure.  It is very handy and worth the investment in my opinion.

[JonnyBoy]

I just talked to my friend. He has a IDE to usb adaptor. That's my best option now.

[dpz147]

I don't think I've ever heard of an IDE to USB adapter.  Assuming you would have to open your PC to hook up the IDE side...wouldn't slaving the drive be almost as easy?

[JonnyBoy]

I can take out the hard drive in the machine and hook it up to my main computer externally, without having to worry about opening up my main PC. And I don't have to play with jumpers.

[ahofle]

I just talked to my friend. He has a IDE to usb adaptor. That's my best option now.

That's the 'enclosure' that mccoy178 mentioned. 
I will also second that suggestion.  Get an HD enclosure -- they are very handy to have.

[JonnyBoy]

It's not an enclosure, per se, just a cable with an attached usb port and a power adapter for the molex pins. But I agree, it's the same concept.

[ahofle]

And I don't have to play with jumpers.

Oh, and a word of caution...I'm pretty sure the drive has to set to master for the enclosure to work (at least mine does).  So, if you have problems with windows seeing the drive, make sure it's jumpered to master.

[JonnyBoy]

Thanks for the warning. My hard drive is currently on master so I don't foresee a problem. I hope to have my cab done by the end of the week and have some serious data to transfer, I'll keep you guys updated.

[_Iz-]

Your e-mail most likely doesn't work behind the router due to the configuration in your e-mail client. Most isp's allow for "simple" e-mail server config when directly connected to the internet - you just use "mail" as the server name. When you connect through a router that generally won't work and you have to supply the full, actual server name. Here in Canada on shaw cable an example would be:
simple server config  = shawmail
full server config = shawmail.ok.shawcable.net


You could also use a crossover network cable to directly connect the network cards on each computer and transfer files.

[Stingray]

I still don't see what the problem with burning five DVDs would be. You transfer your data and you get a backup. Win-win. You could do this on a Sunday afternoon while you drink beer and watch TV. Win-win-win.

Or are you one of those guys who think that drive failures only happen to other people? I used to be, before I lost my first hard drive.

-S

[Harry Potter]

Bah. Don't listen to them.

DVDs. 

Get a 720K formatted DOS floppy disk, and just keep transferring the stuff piece by piece. It's great exercise running back and forth 30 thousand times. 

[Havok]

Bah. Don't listen to them.

DVDs. 

Get a 720K formatted DOS floppy disk, and just keep transferring the stuff piece by piece. It's great exercise running back and forth 30 thousand times. 

Make sure to use 5 1/4" disks - they're more reliable...

[dpz147]

Your e-mail most likely doesn't work behind the router due to the configuration in your e-mail client.

I can't speak for how it works in Canada, but in the US you just set the pop and smtp servers in your email client the same as you would without a router.  I've never run into an ISP around here that requires any config changes when installing a router.

Even if the router solution isn't the best one for you for this data transfer, it might be a good idea to install it anyway due to the fact that it is a hardware firewall and will protect you from internet bad guys.  But, network security is a whole other thread...

[dpz147]

Bah. Don't listen to them.

DVDs. 

Get a 720K formatted DOS floppy disk, and just keep transferring the stuff piece by piece. It's great exercise running back and forth 30 thousand times. 

Make sure to 5 1/4" disks - they're more reliable...

I'm sure there would be some way to attach an old tape player from a c64.  Imagine actually being able to hear your data transferring!!!

I know you're a young buck, so you may need to look some of these up and look at the capacity/transfer rate to fully appreciate the joke. 

[PCtech]

Your e-mail most likely doesn't work behind the router due to the configuration in your e-mail client. Most isp's allow for "simple" e-mail server config when directly connected to the internet - you just use "mail" as the server name. When you connect through a router that generally won't work and you have to supply the full, actual server name. Here in Canada on shaw cable an example would be:
simple server config  = shawmail
full server config = shawmail.ok.shawcable.net


You could also use a crossover network cable to directly connect the network cards on each computer and transfer files.

Your e-mail most likely doesn't work behind the router due to the configuration in your e-mail client.

I can't speak for how it works in Canada, but in the US you just set the pop and smtp servers in your email client the same as you would without a router.  I've never run into an ISP around here that requires any config changes when installing a router.

Even if the router solution isn't the best one for you for this data transfer, it might be a good idea to install it anyway due to the fact that it is a hardware firewall and will protect you from internet bad guys.  But, network security is a whole other thread...

Unless I missed it, I don't think he's trying to configure e-mail.  He is trying NOT to get on the internet (i assume to avoid spyware/virus problems)...but I do like the idea of the crossover cable....probably the easiest idea yet.

[JonnyBoy]

I don't have a DVD burner...

Hence, why I can't burn it all onto DVDs. I would like one, but I'm very deep in the hole and my machine doesn't have a DVD drive anyway.

[Stingray]

I don't have a DVD burner...

This is the kind of info that people could actually use to help you with your problem if you were to offer it up in the first place, rather than waiting to have it dragged out of you.

-S

[JonnyBoy]

I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking.

[mccoy178]

Question:  Do you have a computer?  Let's keep this simple.

[boykster]

I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking.

Isn't that pretty obvious already?

 

[JonnyBoy]

I appreciate the rough time guys, I'm sorry I forgot to mention I lack a DVD burner. Give me a break, I said I'm sorry.

[mccoy178]

   We gotta have some fun ya know!  Sounds like the issue was resolved, so now it's time for a ribbing.

[markrvp]

I still think hooking both computers up to the router with Ethernet cables is the simplest solution.  If your router is set as a DHCP server, then all you need is for your two computers set to accept an IP address automatically.  Just unplug the modem from the router if you are worried about the internet.

[michelevit]

waaah- stop complaining.
 
i think all of these are good solutions.
no need to gripe about any of these solutions.
here are the different options i recommend.

1. burn cdr of the data, that way you can transfer AND have a backup. considering that cdrs are less than a dime
each, it wont break your wallet. 
2. purchase a large cheap hard drive from newegg.com, outpost.com or frys and mount in in a usb enclosure.
(this is cost you 100-150 bucks and you will have a drive that you can use as a backup. You can also take
this to friends houses to transfer data. This is what I do. I also have several images of each of my computers for
back up reasons.
3. set up network provided you have NICs in each computer.

[pointdablame]

waaah- stop complaining.
 
i think all of these are good solutions.
no need to gripe about any of these solutions.
here are the different options i recommend.

1. burn cdr of the data, that way you can transfer AND have a backup. considering that cdrs are less than a dime
each, it wont break your wallet. 
2. purchase a large cheap hard drive from newegg.com, outpost.com or frys and mount in in a usb enclosure.
(this is cost you 100-150 bucks and you will have a drive that you can use as a backup. You can also take
this to friends houses to transfer data. This is what I do. I also have several images of each of my computers for
back up reasons.
3. set up network provided you have NICs in each computer.

why would setting up a network be your third choice, and spending $100+ on unnecessary hardware be your second choice?  And as great as external enclosures are (I have 2), there are not great for backup purposes.  Hard drive + mobile applications + potential to drop/bump/shake = disaster.

Use the IDE -> USB adapter if you want, but it will be slow.  I'd recommend using the router so that you get the faster speeds.  Ideally though, you should get a DVD burner for archival purposes anyway.  You can get a great DVD burner off newegg for like $35, so it's not a huge outlay.

[Havok]

Bah. Don't listen to them.

DVDs. 

Get a 720K formatted DOS floppy disk, and just keep transferring the stuff piece by piece. It's great exercise running back and forth 30 thousand times. 

Make sure to 5 1/4" disks - they're more reliable...

I'm sure there would be some way to attach an old tape player from a c64.  Imagine actually being able to hear your data transferring!!!

I know you're a young buck, so you may need to look some of these up and look at the capacity/transfer rate to fully appreciate the joke. 

Haha - I remember the days of the audio cassette - on my Atari 800 computer. Ahh, the memories! I used to love waiting for my Atari magazines, so I could TYPE in the programs, and then save to cassette.

Man, have computers changed...

[JonnyBoy]

Yeah, my next purchase is going to be a DVD burner, mostly to back up my music. I plan on backing up all my um "software" with it as well, but I'd have to purchase a DVD drive for my machine as well, which is a bit out of my range. I am going to do what markrvp recommends and use the router.

Sorry for sounding whiny, rough day. I'm just a senseless teenager, remember? 

[Havok]

http://www.pricewatch.com is your friend - I just bought a NEC dual-layer 16x DVD burner for $43 shipped...

[Minwah]

I use a USB2 HDD.

[zaphod]

Or check Newegg for the burner.  $40 shipped for an excellent drive.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106256