If you want to transfer personal files, like DOC, XLS, JPG, MP3, etc then an
external USB 2.0 hard drive would be very converient and very fast.
Alternatively you could try to network the PCs, but that would be a bit
harder.
If you want to transfer programs that can NOT be done by a simple
copy&paste. Instead, programs should be installed from their original
CDROMs. If you do not have CDROMs, then you may also not have the licenses
required to transfer the software. That is, many OEM PCs come with special
OEM software, not just XP, but other things, too.
An alternative to a CDROM is a self-installing file. For example, the free
Acrobat reader is a 20+Meg *.EXE file. That file can be copied just like
any normal data file, then executed on the new PC. Programs that you may
have bought on the web also may exist as self-installing exectables.
Finally, things like IE favorites and settings, Outlook accounts, etc can be
moved (really copied) via the XP files and settings transfer wizard, which
comes free with XP. Here are some links about how o use that wizard.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/crawford_november12.mspx
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.php
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293118&sd=tech
Hi. What is the best way to transfer everything BUT the operating system
from a desktop PC with an OEM version of WinXP Home to a laptop with a new
retail version of WinXP Home. Thanks. deango
