>>>>My daughter's laptop has become flaky to the point that I don't trust it and want to replace it before she goes back to Milwaukee for spring semester. Any recommendations on the most painless way to transfer her data files, desktop, and so on to the new laptop without having to reinstall everything? In this case I bet there really is a magic wand.
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>>>I agree with Kevin & Nick. If the existing unit is "flaky" there's a finite chance it could be caused or exacerbated by software problems. If you image the HD and copy that to a new machine you'd be transferring those potential problems.
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>>>There is the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard included in XP and later. However, it does not transfer programs.
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>>>There used to be a program called AlohaBob that did what you want, but it looks like it was bought by MS: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-buys-alohabob/16
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>>SayonaraBob ;-)
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>>You guys have all convinced me. I am going to just transfer data files, and even have the luxury of some time (three weeks) to do so. The only other thing I need to do to the new laptop as shipped is uninstall Microsoft Works and McAfee ;-) (And install AVG).
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>If the new machine has Win7 you could use the free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE - http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ ) instead of AVG.

Do you consider it as good or better? I am not wedded to AVG. Bending a line an old coworker liked to use, I was looking for an antivirus program when I found this one.