File transfer, old comp to new comp

I finally broke down and bought a new computer..the old girl just wasn't putting out like she used to. Anyway, I don't want to lose all my mp3's, avi's, mpegs and such that i've accumulated over the years, so I was just wondering what is the easiest way to transfer them between comps. Here are a few things you should know first:

1. Cdrom doesn't work on old comp - one of the reasons she's getting replaced.
2. old comp - win98, new comp winxp

A step by step process would be of great help....Thanks alot.

Could be as simple as a network card for you 98 PC and the correct cable between them assuming your XP computer has one installed.

Thats what I did.

I might add it took me three hours to transfer all my movies.

maybe 40 gigs.

Just move the drive

Perhaps the simplest method would be to have your local computer nerd move the harddrive. Most any computer these days will support up to four drives. They could be hard drives, CDrom, DVD, even tape drives for backup.

Have the old hard drive taken out of you old PC and put into the new PC. It will probably have a drive letter of D: Even if your current CDrom is D:, the hard drive would most likely become D: and the CDrom bumped to E:.

After that, all you have to do is open MyComputer, double click the old drive Icon and there you have everything. You won't be able to run Win98 on the new PC, but all of your data is now on your new PC.

Jenny

Already dishing out enough money for the new computer, unless i can avoid it i'd like to do this on my own. Thanks though.

Boxstar said:

Already dishing out enough money for the new computer, unless i can avoid it i'd like to do this on my own. Thanks though.

Click to expand...

The only real problem with doing it yourself is the seal on the case that voids your warranty if broken. If you're the least bit mechanically oriented, moving a drive from one computer to another is fairly simple.

If you don't mind voiding the warranty, then PM me for step by step instructions.

If the Warranty is a concern, it would cost about $50 for an authorized wrranty shop to install the old drive in the nw computer as a secondary drive. If the old drive is still functional, that might be a good idea anyway, just for the extra drive space.

i'd actually prefer not to remove the hard drive. I don't know enough about computer hardware. So networking the two comps sounds like the way I have to go.

Boxstar said:

i'd actually prefer not to remove the hard drive. I don't know enough about computer hardware. So networking the two comps sounds like the way I have to go.

Click to expand...

Do both computers have network cards? Are the the same type of networking connection?

Do you have the appropriate crossover cable for the network ports on the computers.

Unless you already have the cards and cables, it's going to cost you about the same as it would to take the two computers to a shop and have the old drvie copied to the new one or theold drive transfered to the new computer physically. And if you have to install networking cards you have to dig around inside the computer about the same amount as you would to change the drive.

Even if you go for a USB networking solution, the cable is gong to be a fair expense for a one time use -- a USB Network isn't efficient enough for a permanent home network setup.

All you need to move the drive is a #2 phillips screwdriver with most computers. You might need a common screwdrive or Torx (star) screwdriver for some brands, but most computers use phillips head screws.

Weird Harold definitely has the easiest and cheapest idea.

Options
1) Hard drive swap.....
Pros: Easy, no loss of data, extra storage space on new pc
Cons: Cost (minimal depending of if you do it or have a tech do it)
2) Set up a home network with RJ-45 (ethernet)
Pros: Now have a home network, fast (10-100 megabit speed)
Cons: Cost (buying network cards (~$20 a piece, installation, cables, etc)), headaches in setting up the new network (very easy in WinXP, can be more challenging in Win98 (will want to make sure have win98 CDROM)
3)Home Network via USB
Pros: Home network
Cons: Slow, processor intensive, USB can be used for so many other things instead of a home network
4)Home network via Parallel port
Pros : (in this case none)
Cons : incredibly slow, cost of a cable, (never set one up so don't know other cons)

The hard drive swap will be the easiest and cheapest by far.

Ljbonobo said:

4)Home network via Parallel port
Pros : (in this case none)
Cons : incredibly slow, cost of a cable, (never set one up so don't know other cons)

Click to expand...

Another con of the parallel port (in case he sees one for real cheap somewhere) is that it's a huge PITA to setup, comparatively. Windows' built in parallel port data transfer stuff is pitiful. Unless you want to purchase software custom made for it, at which point you're over the cost of a network setup.

Here's what I'd do, given the same situation:

* Get a network setup - requires 2 relatively inexpensive network cards (or 1 if your new computer is like most new ones and has it built in). Get a crossover cable. Drag n drop the files over the network. Network cards and accessories are so cheap nowadays, you may even find a nerdy friend that would have some extras sitting around (I do, for example - network cards from old computers saved for this purpose, etc)

Hell, here's a network card for $3.50:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-180-004&depa=0

And a crossover cable for $1.99:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-117-808&depa=0

(Yes, I shop at that store a lot ) Total would be about what you'd spend at mcd's for a value meal and dessert.

* Failing that, yank the hard drive out of the old one and put it in the new one (if only temporarily) as a slave drive. Cost is nothing, other than your time and labor of taking the drive out and putting it in the new computer.

* If neither of the above work, pay someone to do it. The local mom n pop computer stores I'd trust a lot more than a bestbuy computer center (or other major retailer).

<edit> If you wanted a USB network adapter for your win98 pc, here's one:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-122-108&depa=0

More expensive though.

</edit>

The quickest way is to take your old HD and set it to slave and hook it to the new HD's ribbon cable. then start up the computer and if its new computer should auto detect it and then just copy the files from the old HD to the new one. This is very easy too do.

SIC said:

The quickest way is to take your old HD and set it to slave and hook it to the new HD's ribbon cable. then start up the computer and if its new computer should auto detect it and then just copy the files from the old HD to the new one. This is very easy too do.

Click to expand...

If he does this, he should also check the jumpers on the old hard drive, to ensure they're set to 'slave'. Then make sure the other is set to 'master'. Some hard drives have issues otherwise, especially older models, and it might render his new computer unbootable until the drive is removed..

Weird Harold said:

The only real problem with doing it yourself is the seal on the case that voids your warranty if broken. If you're the least bit mechanically oriented, moving a drive from one computer to another is fairly simple.

Click to expand...

Most of the large PC makers (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc) may have you open the case to check stuff if you need to call for troubleshooting before they send a tech out.

As for moving the files, it is simple. Just take the hard drive from your 98 machine, set the jumpers to identify that drive as a slave then hook it up in the new machine as a second hard drive. The jumper is normally found on the back side where the ribbon cable and power cable plug in. When you plug it in the new machine, the ribbon cable should have a red line or small stripe on one side. Make sure this side of the cable faces towards the power connector. And of course, make sure you do this with the computer unplugged. If you have any questions or are not sure, you can always do a google search for "install new harddrive"

Being a computer tech

I will tell you that the comments are right on.
You do not want to deal with a network... that is too much of a hassle for a novice.
Yes the hard drive move is the cheapest and the easiest way to go. What I would do is ask around your office and see if there is a tech person around or someone who has done this before and then have them do it for you.
Once the old drive is in the computer, make it a slave drive (by resetting the jumper on the old drive) and when turn on your computer. Once it is up, it will see the old drive as a new drive. Once you find it in my computer... all you have to is drag and drop your folders and files into the new drive - or just leave them where they are and make them a 2nd drive.

If that is too much of a hassle, then find someone with an external CD Burner and burn all your files to a CD-RW disk(s) and then drag and drop them into your new hard drive.

These two ways are really the easiest and cheapest way to do it.

you don't need a tech for 99% of things you want to do with a computer.
1.) for hard drive swap. How difficult can it possibly be of unplugging IDE and power cables and then pluging it back in on another one. Jumpers are a little trickier, but still easy none the less you can find a manual for any hard drive on the net.

2.) for cross over cable just set IPs on both computers and you're good to go.

3.) if you decide to shell out for a router. well all you need to do is plug it in.

4.) you can also get an external hard drive for back ups and such. and you can use it to move data from one PC to the next.

5.) USB memory keys are probably cheapest and easiest way to go if you don't want to take your computer apart. (might take some time if the key can't hold alot of data)