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The Replace MyPC Suite from Orlogix provides an all-in-one solution for transferring your data and personal settings from one computer to another, while cleaning your old hard drive at the same time.
The package contains three products: Transfer MyPC, for performing the data transfer; Backup MyPC, for protecting data on your new PC; and Erase MyPC, which securely deletes all data from your old system.
In addition, a USB cable is provided for direct data transfer between two PCs.
Transfer MyPC simplifies the process of moving all your files, along with settings, email accounts, bookmarks and so on, to a new PC.
It employs a simple user interface that takes you through the process step by step, allowing you to select the types of files and settings you want to include in the transfer.
It won’t copy over your operating system or applications, as these must be pre-installed on the new PC, but it will migrate between different versions of Windows.
Older operating systems that do not support USB, such as Windows 95, will require the use of a parallel cable (not supplied as part of the suite).
The serial number provided is part of a Windows XP-like product activation system, which requires either an active Internet connection or a phone call to Orlogix to enable the software.
Only one migration is included in the price. If you have more than one PC to transfer, you’ll need to purchase additional licences at a cost of £20.40 each.
Having transferred your critical data, you will want to be sure nothing has been forgotten. You can transfer any individual files by using the supplied file transfer utility.
This provides an Explorer-like drag-and-drop interface and it takes approximately 15 minutes to transfer 500MB of files.
To ensure nothing is left behind, Backup MyPC can be used to perform a full backup of your old PC before you erase it, along with regular backups on your new system. It’s a basic application but does support full, incremental and scheduled backups.
The Dos-based Erase MyPC must be run from the supplied floppy disk. Its straightforward interface consists mainly of warnings and the option to select either seven- or 35-pass file destruction, depending on your level of paranoia.
Switching to the advanced menu reveals additional secure deletion methods with descriptions of each. Designed for wiping entire disks, it does not give the option to erase individual files.
Although sold as a suite, Replace MyPC only loosely ties together its constituent programs. Selecting Erase MyPC from the main menu simply refers you to the floppy disk.
They don’t even appear under a common Start Menu folder – Backup MyPC is in a separate folder (labelled Sonic), which may confuse inexperienced users.
The initial start menu also takes over the whole screen with no obvious way of escaping from it; we had to resort to using Alt & Tab.
The price of £59.99 already represents a saving of around £15 on buying Transfer MyPC and Backup MyPC separately. Then you have Erase MyPC, which is not available as a standalone product.
The Replace MyPC concept is a good one and the tools provided simplify what could otherwise be a risky and time-consuming process. However, we found the single-use licence to be somewhat restrictive and the interface could be improved.
System requirements:
Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP
Windows 2000/XP for Backup MyPC
Floppy disk drive for Erase MyPC
90MB of free hard disk space
All Backup Tools
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