How to move files from old W95 computer to new XP machine

[Larry]

What recommendations do you have for me in transferring files from my
current hard drive to a new computer I am planning to buy. I plan to buy a
new Dell with XP. I currently have a Dell W95 with no CD Burner, no USB. My
95 machine does have a floppy, a CR-ROM and a Zip drive (100 Meg). Some of
the files I want to transfer are 5 to 10 Megs, so they're too big for
floppies. I wonder if I can save what I want to transfer onto a zip disk,
and then install the zip drive in the new machine. I don't have any idea if
my old zip drive is compatible with Win XP, or can even be installed. What
are my options? Is there a way to connect the two computers and directly
transfer files from the W95 HD to the new computer? Is that a good solution?
Are there secure websites where I could save my files then download to the
new computer? I do have broadband and a router. Can I connect the new XP
machine to the router and transfer the files directly through the ethernet
connection? What other better suggestions do you have for me? Thanks.
Larry

 

[Guest]

Zip drives work fine in XP, but I think I'd just network
them. Just do a read-only share on the Win95 machine and
copy them all over.

 

[Guest]

Or.... if you might have some null modem cable, or even a(n) ethernet
crossover cable, i believe the Files and Settings Transfer wizard in Windows
XP should be able to transfer the items you want.

 

[Larry]

How do I network them? Do I need any special hard/software? How do I do a
read-only share?
Thanks, Larry

 

[Larry]

Thanks Tony, but I don't know what a null modem cable is or how to connect
it. Also,how would I connect an ethernet crossover cable? From machine to
machine, or through the router? Once I connect the cable, do I need any
special software for either machine?
Thanks, Larry

 

[Guest]

What recommendations do you have for me in transferring files from my
current hard drive to a new computer I am planning to buy. I plan to buy a
new Dell with XP. I currently have a Dell W95 with no CD Burner, no USB. My
95 machine does have a floppy, a CR-ROM and a Zip drive (100 Meg). Some of
the files I want to transfer are 5 to 10 Megs, so they're too big for
floppies. I wonder if I can save what I want to transfer onto a zip disk,
and then install the zip drive in the new machine. I don't have any idea if
my old zip drive is compatible with Win XP, or can even be installed. What
are my options? Is there a way to connect the two computers and directly
transfer files from the W95 HD to the new computer? Is that a good solution?
Are there secure websites where I could save my files then download to the
new computer? I do have broadband and a router. Can I connect the new XP
machine to the router and transfer the files directly through the ethernet
connection? What other better suggestions do you have for me? Thanks.
Larry

You might want to consider installing the disk drive from the old machine in
the new machine. Move all of your data files from the old to the new, then
format the old for NTFS and then use it for backing up your files. Win XP
Home doesn't have Back Up installed. If you can't find it on your new
computer's installation disk, you can download it from
http://www.myscacc.org/Forms/ntbackup.msi

 

[Guest]

You said you already had a router. Just connect the XP
machine to it. If you're out of ethernet ports then get
a hub. I assumed you were going to hook up the XP
machine to the same router anyway, in which case, they're
networked - not just to the outside world but also to
each other. The talk above about crossover cables
assumed you had no hub/router which I think you do.

 

[Larry]

Thanks Chuck. Is installing my old HD as easy as just mechanically
installing it? Do I need any special (new) cables to install it? Will it
then be automatically recognized by XP, even though its a FAT32?
Thanks, Larry

 

[Larry]

Yes, I do have a router. It's still got another port available. I didn't
realize they'd be networked to each other. I guess that simplifies things
alot. How do I access my W95 computer from the my new one?
Thanks, Larry

 

[Morituri-|-Max]

Thanks Chuck. Is installing my old HD as easy as just mechanically
installing it? Do I need any special (new) cables to install it? Will it
then be automatically recognized by XP, even though its a FAT32?

Pretty much.

1) Open the computers.

2) Disconnect power plug and data cable from your old hard drive.

3) Look in new Dell. Find middle connector on the data cable running to hard
drive. Should be nothing attached.

4) Make sure old drive you removed has its jumper set to SLAVE.. should be a
little diagram on the drive somewhere or the letters M and S on the little
jumper block on the back of the drive between the power connector and ribbon
connector. Move the jumper to the S spot.

5) Now connect old drive to the Dell hard drive ribbon cable in the middle
position.. this makes it the Slave or second hard drive.

6) Connect a power plug in the Dell to the old hard drive power plug you just
installed.

7) Boot up machine. Your old hard drive should appear in the My Computers
folder.

8) Copy whatever you want over to new drive from the old one.

After all that you can decide if you want to leave it in for extra space and if
you want or need to reformat it to the xp file system from FAT32.

Hope this helps if the other guy don't answer better than this.

Seeya

 

[Larry]

OK Max, Thanks, and yes it's a big help. Ref step 6, you say "Connect a
power plug in the Dell to the old hard drive power plug you just installed".
Are you saying there's an unused power plug available in the new Dell just
for this purpose?
Thanks, Larry
Oh and also, if the XP can read the FAT32 files, why would I "reformat it to
the xp file system from FAT32"?
Thanks again.Larry

 

[Morituri-|-Max]

OK Max, Thanks, and yes it's a big help. Ref step 6, you say "Connect a
power plug in the Dell to the old hard drive power plug you just installed".
Are you saying there's an unused power plug available in the new Dell just
for this purpose?

Well there may or may not be depending on how cheap a power supply they
installed, usually company built pcs will have at least one extra power plug
coming from the power supply.. if there aren't enough get a y-splitter from any
good electronics store that will make one plug into two. It'll be the same kind
of plug that is connected to the hard drive already installed in the new one.

Oh and also, if the XP can read the FAT32 files, why would I "reformat it to
the xp file system from FAT32"?

The XP file system is improved over the old FAT32 system.. its just better and
faster (relatively) than the older file systems. XP can read the old ones fine,
its a matter of personal choice if you want to go to the trouble.

Seeya!

 

[Larry]

Thanks Max. Sounds pretty straightforward. Any hidden pitfalls, obscure
configuration settings, or anything else you can think to warn me about? It
doesn't seem like there would be any downside to have both hard drives
installed in the new computer. Is there? Thanks for the help.
Larry

 

[Morituri-|-Max]

Thanks Max. Sounds pretty straightforward. Any hidden pitfalls, obscure
configuration settings, or anything else you can think to warn me about? It
doesn't seem like there would be any downside to have both hard drives
installed in the new computer. Is there? Thanks for the help.

Well if the old drive is either 1) very small, or 2) and older ATA66/100 5400
RPM model, I would think twice about using it.. if its 20GB or more it might be
okay to jam it in there.. all personal preference.. these days its pretty cheap
to get an 80 or even 120GB drive.. wow...

Downside or setting pitfall? Some drives are tricky in that you have to make
sure the drive on the end of the hard drive cable is set to Master *With* Slave
if you HAVE a second one installed in the middle.. Just make sure the new dell
drive on the end of the ribbon is either master or master with slave if you put
the old drive on the middle connector and have it set to slave.

You'll find out either way if you boot it up and the old drive doesn't show up,
it's either a jumper not set right, a loose ribbon cable at the drive, or a
loose power plug.

Pretty simple.. just nitnoid details.

have a good one

 

[Larry]

Great, thanks for the help Max.
Larry

Well if the old drive is either 1) very small, or 2) and older ATA66/100 5400
RPM model, I would think twice about using it.. if its 20GB or more it might be
okay to jam it in there.. all personal preference.. these days its pretty cheap
to get an 80 or even 120GB drive.. wow...

Downside or setting pitfall? Some drives are tricky in that you have to make
sure the drive on the end of the hard drive cable is set to Master *With* Slave
if you HAVE a second one installed in the middle.. Just make sure the new dell
drive on the end of the ribbon is either master or master with slave if you put
the old drive on the middle connector and have it set to slave.

You'll find out either way if you boot it up and the old drive doesn't show up,
it's either a jumper not set right, a loose ribbon cable at the drive, or a
loose power plug.

Pretty simple.. just nitnoid details.

have a good one