Alohabob PC Relocator 3.0

List Price: $49.95

Features:

• Seamlessly migrate files from one computer to another
• Moves most programs plus personal preferences
• Packs up all data files and delivers them to the new PC
• Lifts all settings from the old desktop and places them on the new PC
• Easy to install and use

Customer Reviews:

Use with extreme caution [Posted on 2002-09-18]
I bought this product on the assumption it would help me in reloading my Windows 98 OS and alleviate me from the tedium of reloading all my applications. Fortunately, I did a disk image of my C drive (using Drive Works) before starting.

I created a file of my applications using the automatic feature, reformatted the drive, loaded Windows 98 and then ran the restore option of PC Relocator. I then found that only a few of my applications had been processed.

I restored the C drive, redid the Relocator function choosing the custom selection. When I was finished, I discovered that none of my old MS-DOS applications had been transferred.

By the time I finished, I figure it would have been simpler to just reload all of my software from the source discs and CD's.

Great at automating some mundane tasks! [Posted on 2002-10-06]
I got this product free after rebate a while ago, and decided to use it to transfer a Win ME system to a Win XP system. I ran into very little trouble, although there were some things it could do better with.

In short:

pros - transfers EVERYTHING including settings/cache/bookmarks/etc automatically; once you have the computers connected everything is done automatically (no prompts are given) so you can leave; it works! all programs transferred and ran well from Windows ME to Windows XP (note the instructions though about program versioning), i expected there to be some problems but there weren't any

cons - transfers EVERYTHING (I say this because it could be a con for some, you should do a manual sweep of uninstalling programs or deleting files you don't want first); the only options are all programs or only files, it would be nicer to see more fine-tuned control, especially in being able to not transfer temp files

I had no problem installing the softare, downloaded the latest 3.x version from alohabob's website, and followed the manual for both machines. This brings me to my first point: this software will transfer basically EVERYTHING, including temp files, cookies, cached content, etc. So, save time by doing first a manual sweep through the old system, uninstalling programs and deleting files (especially temp files) that you don't want to transfer.

After connecting, the target PC scans the drive of the source. The program was crashing here when browsing the Temporary Internet Files folder of WinME. I had to manually delete the browser cache on the source machine for it to continue. However, once that was done, everything transferred easily, and all settings were on the new PC! It took a lot of time with the parallel cable, but you don't have to sit and watch it. It saved a lot of time over swapping disks or CD-Rs back and forth.

In summary, the software is relatively easy to use (though not for complete beginners) and works fine if you follow the instructions. You need to do some manual work beforehand as in uninstalling unnecessary applications (and uninstalling virus-scan software so it doesn't transfer), preparing machines that have different versions of programs on them, and deleting files. After it's set up, it works fine though and you'll have everything transferred nicely =)

I recommend this but you should look for it at a cheap price, as I said I got mine free after rebate =)

Works Great [Posted on 2002-12-06]
--This review is for Version 4.0--
I transferred some graphics programs (Photoshop, Quark, etc.) from a Windows 98 machine to a Windows XP system. Everything copied perfectly and all of the programs work.
Just follow the prompts and read the directions while you use this program. (When you first install the software you will need an internet connection to download the latest version. I made a copy of that update file for the installation on the newer computer.)
When you select programs to transfer, I recommend copying one program at a time - it takes longer, but to me it feels safer to test each one after installation. If you do it this way, plan on spending a while copying each program depending on the speed of your computer.
I saved some PC Relocator files to a CD and others to a USB microdrive - both ways were fine. PC Relocator saves your previous computer settings in case you need to revert to them, but I didn't need to. This program worked really well for me.

Rebate promised but never received [Posted on 2003-10-06]
This product came in a bundle from CompUSA. Filled out and mailed in the paperwork; have received rebates for everything else in the bundle. It's been over 12 weeks and no rebate for this product.

Did not work; Non existent customer service [Posted on 2004-02-28]
We tried to transfer just files (not programs or settings) 4 separate times; twice our computers locked up; twice we received a message advising the transfer had taken place; it hadn't. The second time we received the message it came up after only 5 minutes! We followed the directions at the website and faxed a refund request form to the manufacturer twice; we also e-mailed them twice. NO REPLY! Their website has a line that says:

Our Mantra:
OUR CUSTOMERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD TO US

That's an out and out lie. I think they need to exchange the word, "people" with "suckers".

If this product works for you, wonderful. If it doesn't, don't expect any help from the manufacturer.

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