Member Avatar for cbk

And not a minute later. Hello I have crappy system. Windows 98 in a E-machine ( remember them, lets not go there), Pentium Celeron 600m computer. I have had this for years and do not have a cd burner and my A drive floppy doesnt work. I have a lot of text documents and briefcase items I saved though.

How can I transfer those documents and briefcase Items from Win 98 on to a new computer and operating system ?

And if possible could you just blurt out a system you like ( i.e Dell,Gateway etc.) and the O.S you like. I would like something fast 2 gigish or so. I want to use it for Internet, video editing software and would like a cd/dvd burner in it..

Thank you very much

cbk

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Good suggestions already in the thread: , and / covered the common routes (network copy, Windows transfer tools, and accessing the old drive). Below are practical, non-duplicate tips and a simple workflow that fill gaps left by those replies.

  1. Quick prep
  • Make a short inventory: My Documents, Desktop, and the Briefcase contents plus any license keys you need to reinstall programs.
  • Run a disk check on the old drive and scan for malware before moving files.
  • Leave the old drive intact until you verify everything moved correctly.
  1. Transfer options (pick one based on comfort and budget)
  • Easiest without opening the new PC: buy an inexpensive external enclosure or IDE-to-USB adapter for the old drive and plug it into the new computer like an external disk.
  • If you are okay opening the new PC, put the old drive in as a secondary disk (set the PATA jumper/cable select correctly to avoid conflicts) and copy files directly.
  • If you prefer no hardware, use a simple USB transfer cable or the home router / local network to copy files (no need to burn CDs or rely on the floppy).
  1. Handling Briefcase files
  • Open the Briefcase on the old machine and copy the actual documents out of it (don’t try to migrate program installations). Verify by opening a few files on the new machine. Briefcase mainly holds your document files — copy those, then discard the sync container on the new PC.
  1. Verification and final steps
  • Spot-check important documents, scan the copied data for viruses, and keep the old drive as a fallback until you are sure. Reinstall programs on the new system rather than copying Program Files.

Hardware blurt: for video editing, prioritize CPU and disk speed over brand — aim for a fast CPU, 2GB+ RAM, a dedicated graphics card, a 7200rpm (or better) drive and a DVD±RW. A mainstream vendor model or a custom-built machine with those specs will serve well.

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Member Avatar for Puckdropper

There's many ways you can transfer data. The easiest (and maybe the cheapest) is to use a network card. You simply connect a cross-over cable between two network cards, and you've got a simple network wired.

Set up the cards with TCP/IP, using manual addresses, (one will be , the other , both with subnet masks of ) and they should see each other. If both cards are 100 mbit, you'll be able to transfer the entire hard drive, if you wish, in a matter of about half an hour. If it's 10 mbit, set it up to copy and go to bed or watch TV or something... ;-)

Crossover cables can be purchased rather inexpensively at You can also get NICs there if you need them.

(Computer Gate is one of the cheapest places I've found to get network cables. They're equal quality to what I have assembled myself, if not better.)

Member Avatar for Bear

If the new computer comes with Windows XP you can use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard. Please click HERE for more information about this utility. :)

Member Avatar for cbk

Thank you Bear and PuckDropper that was useful info and I'am glad to know that I can easily transfer. HP, I'll check into it.

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Of course the easiest way of all is to rip the hard drive out of the old system, bung it in the new system as a second hard drive, copy the data files across and then format it to be used as extra storage space ;)

Member Avatar for caperjack

Of course the easiest way of all is to rip the hard drive out of the old system, bung it in the new system as a second hard drive, copy the data files across and then format it to be used as extra storage space ;)

Thats what I was going to suggest ,as its what i do all the time with customers computers!

Member Avatar for Puckdropper

Of course the easiest way of all is to rip the hard drive out of the old system, bung it in the new system as a second hard drive, copy the data files across and then format it to be used as extra storage space

Well, fastest... Sometimes you can't open the case, or you don't want to risk potentially messing it up. I remember how nervous I was opening the cases of my computer the first time. (Now, I don't even know WHERE the case is!)

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