Transferring files from Windows 98 computer to new VISTA O/S compu

[Guest]

I have been unable to transfer files from an old computer using Windows 98 to
a new computer using Windows VISTA. I have attempted to load Windows Easy
Transfer program into the old computer, but it is "incompatible". Likewise,
the Belkin transfer cable and associated program is "incompatible"
establishing a USB link to the old computer. The old computer and O/S is in
operable condition, (except it is SLOW).

Any solutions? Thanks.

 

[Malke]

I have been unable to transfer files from an old computer using Windows 98 to
a new computer using Windows VISTA. I have attempted to load Windows Easy
Transfer program into the old computer, but it is "incompatible". Likewise,
the Belkin transfer cable and associated program is "incompatible"
establishing a USB link to the old computer. The old computer and O/S is in
operable condition, (except it is SLOW).

Any solutions? Thanks.

1. If the Win98 box has a CD burner, burn your data to CD-Rs and
transfer them that way.

2. If the Win98 box has USB ports and you have a USB thumbdrive with
enough capacity and drivers for Win98, copy the files to the USB
thumbdrive and transfer them that way.

3. If there are huge amount of data files that will not fit on your USB
thumbdrive but you have the ports and an external hard drive, copy the
files to the external hard drive and transfer them that way.

4. Pull the Win98 hard drive and slave it internally to the Vista
machine and copy over the files that way.

5. Pull the Win98 hard drive and put it in an external USB hard drive
enclosure, connect it to the Vista machine and copy over the files that way.


Malke

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Neither EasyTransfer nor the Belkin cable will work with Windows 98, only
Windows 2000 or above. Sorry. Malke has outlined your best possible
options - none of them involve EasyTransfer since it won't work.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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[Guest]

Thank you for your suggestions. I attempted utilizing a USB Flash drive (2
GB) and then an external HD (40GB) previously, but in both situations, the
old computer refused to recognize the drivers I had installed (from 3.5"
floppy). The old computer cannot "burn" CDs. It is a READ only device. I
am lost....

 

[Bill Yanaire]

Take out the burner from your new computer, install it in the old computer.
Write your files to CD or DVD. Then put the drive back in the new computer.

If you can't remove the new drive, purchase a drive at the local Best-Buy,
install it in the old computer, backup your files, take the drive out and
return to Best-Buy for a refund

That might work!

 

[sszudzik]

Take out the burner from your new computer, install it in the old computer.
Write your files to CD or DVD. Then put the drive back in the new computer.

If you can't remove the new drive, purchase a drive at the local Best-Buy,
install it in the old computer, backup your files, take the drive out and
return to Best-Buy for a refund

That might work!







- Show quoted text -

If both of your PC's are hooked up to a network router etc, you could
create a file share on the Vista box and then connect to it from the
Win98 box and just copy the files that way.

--Steve

 

[Malke]

Thank you for your suggestions. I attempted utilizing a USB Flash drive (2
GB) and then an external HD (40GB) previously, but in both situations, the
old computer refused to recognize the drivers I had installed (from 3.5"
floppy). The old computer cannot "burn" CDs. It is a READ only device. I
am lost....

There's no reason to be lost. Didn't you read all of my post? The
simplest thing to do in your case is remove the hard drive from the
Win98 box and slave it in the Vista machine. If you're uncomfortable
opening your computers, have a local professional do this for you. It
will only take a little while and is very easy.


Malke

 

[Lang Murphy]

There's no reason to be lost. Didn't you read all of my post? The simplest
thing to do in your case is remove the hard drive from the Win98 box and
slave it in the Vista machine. If you're uncomfortable opening your
computers, have a local professional do this for you. It will only take a
little while and is very easy.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Yeah... unless his new computer has SATA drives/controller... his 98 box
will, almost assuredly, not have SATA.

Lang

 

[Lang Murphy]

I have been unable to transfer files from an old computer using Windows 98
to
a new computer using Windows VISTA. I have attempted to load Windows Easy
Transfer program into the old computer, but it is "incompatible".
Likewise,
the Belkin transfer cable and associated program is "incompatible"
establishing a USB link to the old computer. The old computer and O/S is
in
operable condition, (except it is SLOW).

Any solutions? Thanks.

These computers are stand alone? (Not connected to a network like a home
router?) I've seen the other recommendations here... probably the best is to
pull the 98 drive out of that box and slave it in the Vista box but that
will only work if the drives are the same technology, e.g., if your new
computer uses SATA drives, you'll have a hard time attaching an IDE drive;
completely different connectors, among other issues.

Lang

 

[Malke]

These computers are stand alone? (Not connected to a network like a home
router?) I've seen the other recommendations here... probably the best
is to pull the 98 drive out of that box and slave it in the Vista box
but that will only work if the drives are the same technology, e.g., if
your new computer uses SATA drives, you'll have a hard time attaching an
IDE drive; completely different connectors, among other issues.

He won't have a hard time doing this is 1) he puts the old drive in an
external enclosure; or 2) slaves the old drive by attaching it to the
the optical drive connection (if optical drives are still IDE as many
are); or 3) has an IDE-to-SATA card or adapter; or 4) takes the machine
to a local professional who will be able to do all and any of these
options. There's also the option of quickly setting up a network and
transferring the files that way, but Vista has issues networking with
Win98/ME and that's why I didn't suggest it.

Since the OP hasn't come back and we don't know his level of computer
skills and what equipment he has available, that's about all I can
suggest and we'll just need to wait until he comes back (if he does).


Malke

 

[Lang Murphy]

He won't have a hard time doing this is 1) he puts the old drive in an
external enclosure; or 2) slaves the old drive by attaching it to the the
optical drive connection (if optical drives are still IDE as many are); or
3) has an IDE-to-SATA card or adapter; or 4) takes the machine to a local
professional who will be able to do all and any of these options. There's
also the option of quickly setting up a network and transferring the files
that way, but Vista has issues networking with Win98/ME and that's why I
didn't suggest it.

Since the OP hasn't come back and we don't know his level of computer
skills and what equipment he has available, that's about all I can suggest
and we'll just need to wait until he comes back (if he does).


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Well... he won't have a hard time if he understands what you're talking
about. LOL! The key here, as you pointed out, is his level of computer
expertise. Moot point if he doesn't return...

Lang

 

[NotMe]

They sell a CD burner at WalMart for $29
Cheaper than a computer shop and you can have the CDs with the data forever
(or til the disks decay in 4-6 years).
Once you have burned all the files you want, you can put the new CD burner
in your new machine & have the capability to copy without using a big chunk
of disk space.