How to best transfer files from Win98se PC to WinXP PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank
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Frank

I recently purchased a new PC with Win XP Home ed. and would like to
transfer as many files as possible to the new PC. I know that there
are compatiblility issues with XP running software/hardware designed
for earlier Windows versions, but would like to salvage as much of the
old software and files as is possible.

I would like input/precautions from group members that have undertaken
the transfer process. I have identified several considerations below
and woujld appreciate comments, and guidance on the best transfer
approach(s):

1. Is this process best accomplished by buying a transfer software
utility or are alternate methods available with less cost?

2. 4. Have any articles or "how to's" been written that deal with this
topic?

3..I don't think the free software I have installed on my Win98 SE
machine is no problem - I can DL and install the XP versions, but I
would like to be able to use some of the peripherals such as the Canon
printer, UMAX scanner, HP monitor, Sandisk SD card reader, etc. I
asume that I most hardware and software sellers provide download sites
and instructions for upgrading software/drivers to the Win XP
operating sysytem. Is this generally true?

4.. I have numerous files in MY DOCUMENTS that I want to transfer to
the new XP machine - what is the best way to accomplish this. Should I
buy one of the proprietary software programs to best effect the
transfer or are there other methods?

3. Is there a way to transfer MS Internet Explorer Favorites to the
new PCs Internet Explorer and Outlook Express Contacts from the old
Win98se PC?


Any advice, directions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Frank
 
HOW TO: Use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293118&Product=winxp

Cables That Are Compatible with Direct Cable Connection
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310576&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305621&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|
| I recently purchased a new PC with Win XP Home ed. and would like to
| transfer as many files as possible to the new PC. I know that there
| are compatiblility issues with XP running software/hardware designed
| for earlier Windows versions, but would like to salvage as much of the
| old software and files as is possible.
|
| I would like input/precautions from group members that have undertaken
| the transfer process. I have identified several considerations below
| and woujld appreciate comments, and guidance on the best transfer
| approach(s):
|
| 1. Is this process best accomplished by buying a transfer software
| utility or are alternate methods available with less cost?
|
| 2. 4. Have any articles or "how to's" been written that deal with this
| topic?
|
| 3..I don't think the free software I have installed on my Win98 SE
| machine is no problem - I can DL and install the XP versions, but I
| would like to be able to use some of the peripherals such as the Canon
| printer, UMAX scanner, HP monitor, Sandisk SD card reader, etc. I
| asume that I most hardware and software sellers provide download sites
| and instructions for upgrading software/drivers to the Win XP
| operating sysytem. Is this generally true?
|
| 4.. I have numerous files in MY DOCUMENTS that I want to transfer to
| the new XP machine - what is the best way to accomplish this. Should I
| buy one of the proprietary software programs to best effect the
| transfer or are there other methods?
|
| 3. Is there a way to transfer MS Internet Explorer Favorites to the
| new PCs Internet Explorer and Outlook Express Contacts from the old
| Win98se PC?
|
|
| Any advice, directions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
|
| Frank
 
Frank said:
I recently purchased a new PC with Win XP Home ed. and would like to
transfer as many files as possible to the new PC. I know that there
are compatiblility issues with XP running software/hardware designed
for earlier Windows versions, but would like to salvage as much of the
old software and files as is possible.

I would like input/precautions from group members that have undertaken
the transfer process. I have identified several considerations below
and woujld appreciate comments, and guidance on the best transfer
approach(s):

1. Is this process best accomplished by buying a transfer software
utility or are alternate methods available with less cost?

2. 4. Have any articles or "how to's" been written that deal with this
topic?

3..I don't think the free software I have installed on my Win98 SE
machine is no problem - I can DL and install the XP versions, but I
would like to be able to use some of the peripherals such as the Canon
printer, UMAX scanner, HP monitor, Sandisk SD card reader, etc. I
asume that I most hardware and software sellers provide download sites
and instructions for upgrading software/drivers to the Win XP
operating sysytem. Is this generally true?

4.. I have numerous files in MY DOCUMENTS that I want to transfer to
the new XP machine - what is the best way to accomplish this. Should I
buy one of the proprietary software programs to best effect the
transfer or are there other methods?

3. Is there a way to transfer MS Internet Explorer Favorites to the
new PCs Internet Explorer and Outlook Express Contacts from the old
Win98se PC?


Any advice, directions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Frank
Click to expand...

Of instead of queering around with serial cables like the MVP's want you to,
stick a network card in each of the PC's.
You can then keep both PC's and use them together on the net etc as well as
share files.


hamman
 
In
Frank said:
I recently purchased a new PC with Win XP Home ed. and would like to
transfer as many files as possible to the new PC. I know that there
are compatiblility issues with XP running software/hardware designed
for earlier Windows versions, but would like to salvage as much of the
old software and files as is possible.

I would like input/precautions from group members that have undertaken
the transfer process. I have identified several considerations below
and woujld appreciate comments, and guidance on the best transfer
approach(s):

1. Is this process best accomplished by buying a transfer software
utility or are alternate methods available with less cost?
Click to expand...




There are several approaches to doing this. Which is best for you
depends, at least in part, on how much data you have to transfer.
Here are some choices:

1. Transfer them on diskettes.

2. Transfer them on CDRs.

3. E-mail them from the old machine and read the E-mail on the
new one.

4. Network the two computers, and just copy the files over the
network.

5. Temporarily (or even permanently) install the old computer's
hard drive in the new computer and just copy them over.

The above is all for data files. Software can not be transferred,
and will have to be reinstalled.


2. 4. Have any articles or "how to's" been written that deal with this
topic?

3..I don't think the free software I have installed on my Win98 SE
machine is no problem - I can DL and install the XP versions, but I
would like to be able to use some of the peripherals such as the Canon
printer, UMAX scanner, HP monitor, Sandisk SD card reader, etc. I
asume that I most hardware and software sellers provide download sites
and instructions for upgrading software/drivers to the Win XP
operating sysytem. Is this generally true?
Click to expand...


Yes, it's generally true, but you should be aware that you may
have some devices for which no XP devices are available. It's up
to the manufacturer as to whether to provide them or not. In
particular, I would be concerned about your UMAX scanner. What
model is it?

Also for some devices, (printers, monitors) Windows XP probably
comes with the driver you need.


4.. I have numerous files in MY DOCUMENTS that I want to transfer to
the new XP machine - what is the best way to accomplish this. Should I
buy one of the proprietary software programs to best effect the
transfer or are there other methods?
Click to expand...


See the answer to question 1 above.

3. Is there a way to transfer MS Internet Explorer Favorites to the
new PCs Internet Explorer and Outlook Express Contacts from the old
Win98se PC?
Click to expand...


Yes. These are each just files that can be copied over just as
you copy data files. OE contacts is a *.wab file; I can't
remember what Windows 98 calls its favorites file, but someone
else will surely tell you.
 
I recently purchased a new PC with Win XP Home ed. and would like to
transfer as many files as possible to the new PC. I know that there
are compatiblility issues with XP running software/hardware designed
for earlier Windows versions, but would like to salvage as much of the
old software and files as is possible.
Click to expand...

DOS:

INTERLNK.EXE - Client Machine
INTERSVR.EXE - Server Machine

Serial Cable + Null Modem, COM port linkup.
 
David said:
DOS:

INTERLNK.EXE - Client Machine
INTERSVR.EXE - Server Machine

Serial Cable + Null Modem, COM port linkup.
Click to expand...

I don't believe they will work with FAT32 or NTFS, and do not preserve
long file names.
 
I don't believe they will work with FAT32 or NTFS, and do not preserve
long file names.
Click to expand...

It's Windows compatable, amd cam be run from the WinXP interface (I
think).
 
David A. Seiver wrote:

It's Windows compatable, amd cam be run from the WinXP interface (I
think).
Click to expand...

Are you sure? Unless it has been upgraded since, it was an old
DOS program which had to have a device driver loaded in config.sys to
work - and as it predated FAT 32 and long filenames I would not have
thought it would work. Happy to be proved wrong though.
 
If they both have NIC's, and I don't know that they do, can't you just
create an Ad hoc network of 2 PC's with CAT 5 cable(crossover)? I would
think that would move data faster...
Tom T
 
Many thanks to all responders for their assistance and suggestions.

Frank

============================
 
David A. Seiver wrote:



Are you sure? Unless it has been upgraded since, it was an old
DOS program which had to have a device driver loaded in config.sys to
work - and as it predated FAT 32 and long filenames I would not have
thought it would work. Happy to be proved wrong though.
Click to expand...

I didn't think so either, but it does seem to work with Windows 95,
not sure about later versions, though. I did download the files from
Microsoft, so maybe they were updated.
 
Many thanks to all responders for their assistance and suggestions.

Frank
Click to expand...

How about a simple Modem-Modem transfer, using something like LapLink,
or PCAnywhere?
 
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