[brookyjoann]

My daughter has a new computer and would like to transfer files from one to the other - mainly music. What would be the easiest - and cheapest - way to go about this. The older computer doesn't have a network card or cd burner. Thanks for any input.

 

[Whitestar]

If you put the hard drive form the old computer into the new one set up as a slave drive, you should be able to see it in windows and transfere the files to the new computers hard drive.

 

[brookyjoann]

Thanks but openning up the new computer is out of the question. Don't want to do anything that might violate the warranty. My daughter was wondering if it is possible to network the two units - one doesn't have a network card however.

 

[Whitestar]

Yeah. you can do that. All you need is a network card (these are really cheap) and a crossover network cable.

As i say network cards are reaaly cheap and any good computer shop will sell them.

What operating system is the old computer running?

 

[brookyjoann]

The new computer is running Windows XP and the older one is running Windows ME (it originally came with Windows 98).

 

[LONGHAIR]

A network card would require the opening of the case of the "old" computer. If you are really concerned about that you could have the network card installed by a professional. Then all you would need is a simple crossover cable.



Depending on the amount of files involved, there is another way.
If both machines have USB ports, you could use a small "flash drive" to transfer the files. This would be a rather tedious process if there are too many though.

 

[brookyjoann]

Openning the old computer is no problem - warranty ran out a long time ago and it has a second hard drive installed.

 

[LONGHAIR]

You could also put the "old" drive into an external USB case. Then transfer the files from there.
The network card for the old machine is the cheapest route.
But if you are not keeping it after you are done transfering........the cost goes with it.
The "flash drive" is handy, but tedious for large transfers
The External case is probably the most useful/versitile way.

 

[Whitestar]

A pen drive is a good idea, but they can be expensive.

 

[Whitestar]

Once you have the network card installed pm me and i will run you through setting up the computers to talk to each other.

 

[chakorules]

Flash drives don't cost alot, besides they are great FLOPPY replacements. I got a 256MB stick for $60.00, I use it everyday from my laptop to desktop. 256MB is alot of storage in the palm of your hand.

 

[Whitestar]

True, but the can be expensive and if your not going to use it a lot then it cna be a waste. But i agree with the floppy replacement. I have a 128MB drive and i also use mine every day.

 

[chakorules]

I guess the only other option I know of is a USB transfer. Being an OLD computer I doubt your computer support USB networking. All newer MSI motherboards have USB network which make them simple to network a transfer from USB to USB. It might be worth a look to see if your motherboard supports USB networking. Both OLD and NEW. My MSI NEO board does.

 

[ceri sheeran]

Hi,

Best is the NIC route plus cross over cable and network the machines.
Cheapest is to put the old hard drive in the new machine permanently or even just temporarily.
Simplest is a USB to USB laplink cable, plug and play, the old machine is Win 98 or above so this will work provided it has USB ports. Not fast but it does work.
Most complicated is the parallel / serial laplink cable route

Alternatives

Put the hard disk from the old machine is external USB or Firewire enclosure
Use USB 2 to IDE adapter to connect old hard drive to USB port on new machine without opening new machine.

hth

Ceri