transfer files from 98 to XP

[Guest]

I am a novice user who has a tired old Windows 98 ( FAT32) & am planning on
getting a new XP which I understand is (NTFS)...is there an easy way of
getting all my files (about 8GB ) from the 98 to the XP.....there isn't a CD
burner on the 98......

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am a novice user who has a tired old Windows 98 ( FAT32) & am
planning on getting a new XP which I understand is (NTFS)...

No, NTFS is entirely optional. Windows XP supports NTFS, FAT12, FAT16, and
FAT32, in any and all combinations.

is there
an easy way of getting all my files (about 8GB ) from the 98 to the
XP.....there isn't a CD burner on the 98......

There are many ways. In your situation, I'd probably take the drive out of
the old computer and install it temporarily (or even permanently) in the new
one, and copy the files over.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

You've got nothing to worry about. Use the File and Settings Transfer
Wizard with either a direct cable connection or a network-style connection.

"Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/mgrtfset.mspx

 

[Guest]

Thank you both so much for your help.

You've got nothing to worry about. Use the File and Settings Transfer
Wizard with either a direct cable connection or a network-style connection.

"Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings"
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/mgrtfset.mspx

 

[Guest]

(No, NTFS is entirely optional. Windows XP supports NTFS, FAT12, FAT16, and
FAT32, in any and all combinations.)



Is one better than the other & if I do get NTFS & the old Windows 98 is
FAT32 can I still copy the files across easily...........

 

[Ted Zieglar]

The NTFS file system is the one to chose. It is more robust (i.e. takes
a licking and keeps on ticking) and secure than its predecessors.

It doesn't matter that the old machine is FAT32 and the new one will be
NTFS. What you're transferring between the two computers is 0's and 1's.
They'll just be arranged differently on the computer.

 

[q_q_anonymous]

I am a novice user who has a tired old Windows 98 ( FAT32) & am planning on
getting a new XP which I understand is (NTFS)...is there an easy way of
getting all my files (about 8GB ) from the 98 to the XP.....there isn't a CD
burner on the 98......

*remove hdd and put it in (not easy if you're new to this. You have to
open the comp up and set jumpers)

*networking (file and printer sharing) . Not easy, many issues.
Moreso if win98 with win xp. But you can get a lot of help with that on
newsgroups.

*usb-usb transfer cable <-- easy. got to buy a cable though. and
hope that there are no usb issues.

* burn to cd or DVD <-- very good way, very easy compared to the rest
..
- internal burner. or if not, then external burner

* USB key (but is win98 ok for usb?)

So there are the ways. I think burning data to CD would be easiest. But
you have no cd burner on the 98 machien. And I suppose no External CD
Burnder (or internal one with usb-ide adaptor). and 98 isn't so good
with usb anyway.

Avoiding opening up the machine.
Regarding the networking method
The networking method requires a network connection "(RJ45 socket)" on
the 98 machine. (if you have none then you have to buy a network card)
And you'll need a cat5e crossover cable to connect the 2 machines. Or
a straightthrough cat5e cable to connect each machine to a 'home
router'. Easiest way is the crossover cable. You still need an RJ45
socket on the 98 machine (and the xp machine, though i assume - being
newer - that it has one).

The USB-USB transfer method may be easiest. The special usb-usb cable
is not too expensive. But with win98, you may have USB problems. And
8GB is a lot.

So, networking method may be best.
BUt if you're willing to open things up. THen the swapp HDD method.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

(No, NTFS is entirely optional. Windows XP supports NTFS, FAT12,
FAT16, and FAT32, in any and all combinations.)

Is one better than the other

Yes, NTFS is normally better. The only good reason for using some flavor of
the older FAT is that you are dual-booting with a non-NTFS-aware operating
system.

& if I do get NTFS & the old Windows 98
is FAT32 can I still copy the files across easily...........

Yes. As I said, Windows XP supports NTFS, FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32, in any
and all combinations. You can have multiple drives using different files
systems, and even multiple partitions on the same physical drive using
different files systems. Windows can handle all of them simultaneously, and
move or copy files between them without a problem.

This is no different from copying a file from a diskette (which uses FAT12)
to a hard drive using FAT32 or NTFS, or vice versa.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all your help everyone....

*remove hdd and put it in (not easy if you're new to this. You have to
open the comp up and set jumpers)

*networking (file and printer sharing) . Not easy, many issues.
Moreso if win98 with win xp. But you can get a lot of help with that on
newsgroups.

*usb-usb transfer cable <-- easy. got to buy a cable though. and
hope that there are no usb issues.

* burn to cd or DVD <-- very good way, very easy compared to the rest
..
- internal burner. or if not, then external burner

* USB key (but is win98 ok for usb?)

So there are the ways. I think burning data to CD would be easiest. But
you have no cd burner on the 98 machien. And I suppose no External CD
Burnder (or internal one with usb-ide adaptor). and 98 isn't so good
with usb anyway.

Avoiding opening up the machine.
Regarding the networking method
The networking method requires a network connection "(RJ45 socket)" on
the 98 machine. (if you have none then you have to buy a network card)
And you'll need a cat5e crossover cable to connect the 2 machines. Or
a straightthrough cat5e cable to connect each machine to a 'home
router'. Easiest way is the crossover cable. You still need an RJ45
socket on the 98 machine (and the xp machine, though i assume - being
newer - that it has one).

The USB-USB transfer method may be easiest. The special usb-usb cable
is not too expensive. But with win98, you may have USB problems. And
8GB is a lot.

So, networking method may be best.
BUt if you're willing to open things up. THen the swapp HDD method.