Need some help with new WinXP computer

[Hank]

Have a friend that is moving up from an old win98SE to a new
Dell WinXP SP2 computer. Problem is his old computer has no large
storage device like a CD burner and he wants to transfer somethings to
the new computer. I know that all programs will have to be
re-installed to work and that is no problem. But he would like to
transfer his address book from Outlook Express to the new PC. ( do not
even know where the address book is stored) He also has a number of
documents and pictures he wants to keep which might be some 10 to 20
megs in total. Trnasfer via floppy disk is not practical. I seem to
vaguely remember there use to be a way to directly connect two
computers back to back I think using the modem connections to transfer
files directly between them without a phone connection. Or something
like that. Can any one help me with problem?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank

 

[WB]

Have a friend that is moving up from an old win98SE to a new
Dell WinXP SP2 computer. Problem is his old computer has no large
storage device like a CD burner and he wants to transfer somethings to
the new computer. I know that all programs will have to be
re-installed to work and that is no problem. But he would like to
transfer his address book from Outlook Express to the new PC. ( do not
even know where the address book is stored) He also has a number of
documents and pictures he wants to keep which might be some 10 to 20
megs in total. Trnasfer via floppy disk is not practical. I seem to
vaguely remember there use to be a way to directly connect two
computers back to back I think using the modem connections to transfer
files directly between them without a phone connection. Or something
like that. Can any one help me with problem?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank

How to set up a direct cable connection
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=305621

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Have a friend that is moving up from an old win98SE to a new
Dell WinXP SP2 computer. Problem is his old computer has no large
storage device like a CD burner and he wants to transfer somethings to
the new computer. I know that all programs will have to be
re-installed to work and that is no problem. But he would like to
transfer his address book from Outlook Express to the new PC. ( do not
even know where the address book is stored) He also has a number of
documents and pictures he wants to keep which might be some 10 to 20
megs in total. Trnasfer via floppy disk is not practical. I seem to
vaguely remember there use to be a way to directly connect two
computers back to back I think using the modem connections to transfer
files directly between them without a phone connection. Or something
like that. Can any one help me with problem?

TIA

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank

There are a few ways to do this.

The easiest (and fastest and potentially cheapest) method I have found is to
simply set up the new system, remove the drive from the old system and
attach it to the new one. You can do this either internally (no extra parts
required), or using an external USB2 connector or drive case. On restart,
the system will automatically identify the "old" drive and you'll have
access to it. Simply copy the files you want to the appropriate locations
on the new drive.

The only catch to this is getting the drive jumper settings correct. The
new system is a Dell, so since Dell normally uses the Cable Select
settings, just use the CS jumpers on the old drive if you use the internal
connectors. If the system doesn't boot properly right away, the problem is
simply that the jumpers aren't correct. You don't have to bolt in the old
drive; you can just attach it to the power and data cables and prop it up.
If you use an external USB 2 drive case, these normally use the Master
jumpers.

If there's presently a CD or DVD drive attached to the only available cable,
simply disconnect it for the duration of the task.

You can also use parallel cables, sometimes called "laplink" or direct
connect cables, or crossover network cables. For the crossover cables to
work, both systems must have ethernet cards and you must set them to
closeley-related fixed IP addresses, such as 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2.
And in both cases, you may have to purchase hardware (cables). As well,
you can use standard network cables if you also have a switch or router.

An approach I sometimes take when time is tight and the client is unsure of
exactly where the data is, is to take advantage of the large size of modern
drives. I create a folder such as c:\migrate, and after attaching the old
drive I use FileSync, from www.fileware.co.uk to do a mass copy of the
entire old drive contents to the new - after removing unnecessary files like
the swap and hibernation files, and the contents of any temporary or
content.ie5 folders.

HTH
-pk

 

[Hank]

Thanks for you inputs but I am not that swift on computers to totally
follow your suggestions. I do know I do not want to open a brand new
computer that I am not even sure if it is functioning yet and start
changing things. Little worried about warantee. Also do not have any
special cables available. That is why I was looking for a way to use
a modem connection. Another party suggested direct cable connection
but was not able to fully follow the Microsoft article referenced as
seemed to be generic when talking about direct connections. How about
a hyperterminal connction modem to modem? Is this a viable method?

There are a few ways to do this.

The easiest (and fastest and potentially cheapest) method I have found is to
simply set up the new system, remove the drive from the old system and
attach it to the new one. You can do this either internally (no extra parts
required), or using an external USB2 connector or drive case. On restart,
the system will automatically identify the "old" drive and you'll have
access to it. Simply copy the files you want to the appropriate locations
on the new drive.

The only catch to this is getting the drive jumper settings correct. The
new system is a Dell, so since Dell normally uses the Cable Select
settings, just use the CS jumpers on the old drive if you use the internal
connectors. If the system doesn't boot properly right away, the problem is
simply that the jumpers aren't correct. You don't have to bolt in the old
drive; you can just attach it to the power and data cables and prop it up.
If you use an external USB 2 drive case, these normally use the Master
jumpers.

If there's presently a CD or DVD drive attached to the only available cable,
simply disconnect it for the duration of the task.

You can also use parallel cables, sometimes called "laplink" or direct
connect cables, or crossover network cables. For the crossover cables to
work, both systems must have ethernet cards and you must set them to
closeley-related fixed IP addresses, such as 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2.
And in both cases, you may have to purchase hardware (cables). As well,
you can use standard network cables if you also have a switch or router.

An approach I sometimes take when time is tight and the client is unsure of
exactly where the data is, is to take advantage of the large size of modern
drives. I create a folder such as c:\migrate, and after attaching the old
drive I use FileSync, from www.fileware.co.uk to do a mass copy of the
entire old drive contents to the new - after removing unnecessary files like
the swap and hibernation files, and the contents of any temporary or
content.ie5 folders.

HTH
-pk

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank

 

[Hank]

Thanks for your inputs. I have printed out the referenced MS article.
If I am reading the article right I need a special null modem cable.
Not sure but I get the impression this is a RS-232C cable that
connects two parallel ports of computers together. Do not have one.
Came across the term hyper-terminal which seems to be a way of
connecting two computers via their modems so they think they are part
of the same network. Allowing passing of files over a standard
telephone cable between modems? Want to minimize the amount I have
to do to the new computer and that includes opeining it up and
modifiying hardware. Hyper Terminal term seems to be what I am looking
for but MS help request on "hyper terminal" comes back empty. Willing
to trade off time to do the task against opening and modifying. Am I
in the right ballpark???? Thanks again for your time.

How to set up a direct cable connection
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=305621

email response not expected but to respond remove .uk at end
TIA
Hank

 

[mbncd]

I don't know if you're in the right ball park or not, but as a general
rule I suggest getting the direct physical presence and assistance of
someone who knows exactly what they're doing before you do anything.
Manuals and forums and newsgroups like this are all well and good until
something gets misunderstood and the PC goes bang. That's my two cents
worth anyhow.

mb