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[Bigron]

I'm sure this is something simple for IT people to solve, but not for me.....
My son has got a new (to him) desktop computer and wants to take his files and probably mine off of this clanky, wheezing XP machine that we share and transfer them onto the "new" machine safely.
It already has an operating system, Windows 7, so that doesn't need to be carried across - just his/our personal files and sites.
May I ask for a procedure in as simple terms as possible, please?

Ron.

[Andy H]

You are going to get lots of advice, some of it helpful, none of it simple......

First thing to do is identify what data you think you want to transfer.

[Entwood]

Firstly a question ... as the answer will either make life very easy   or slightly less easy ... 

The hard drive in the "old" system, is at a guess a "parallel" ATA (PATA) drive, power connected by a largish  4 pin plug, data by a wide many pinned plug.

Question is, does the "new" system use parallel or "Serial" (SATA) drives .. 2 very slim black connectors with a right angle notch on one end, one 1/2 inch long, one 2" long,or are the connectors identical to the "old" ones ?

[Andy H]

If both PCs have a network connection it should be trivial to use windows file sharing to copy files from one to the other (without pulling any covers off).

[STEMO]

Flash drive?

[Bigron]

Um, good question, Nige; I will have to wait until daylight to answer that one, when the witches are off their broomsticks and the Vampires are back in their coffins!
Watch this space.....

Ron.

P.S. I knew this wasn't going to be easy - more of a black art than mending Omegas.

[Bigron]

No, STEMO, I've given up flashing.
Do you still do that thing?

Ron.

[Entwood]

If both PCs have a network connection it should be trivial to use windows file sharing to copy files from one to the other (without pulling any covers off).

Theoretically correct .. but past experience of trying to get XP to "talk" to win 7 (or higher) can be a right sod !!

[Entwood]

Um, good question, Nige; I will have to wait until daylight to answer that one, when the witches are off their broomsticks and the Vampires are back in their coffins!
Watch this space.....

Ron.

P.S. I knew this wasn't going to be easy - more of a black art than mending Omegas.

If they are the same connectors its an absolute piece of doddle, simply plug the "old" drive into the "new" machine  .. it will see both drives and you simply copy and paste

[Bigron]

I'll try the simple way first, Nige - in the morning!
Does it matter which machine has the monitor connected to it?

Ron.

[Entwood]

I'll try the simple way first, Nige - in the morning!
Does it matter which machine has the monitor connected to it?

Ron.

If trying to network them via ethernet cable then you'll need a monitor on both, also, if you do it "directly" and not via a router you'll need a "crossover" cable not a "normal" ethernet cable

[Bigron]

Oh, I thought that you meant coupling them up USB to USB - won't that work?
can you see that I'm a novice here?

Ron.

[Entwood]

Oh, I thought that you meant coupling them up USB to USB - won't that work?
can you see that I'm a novice here?

Ron.

Ron ... in a word ....  NO !!   

[Gaffers]

I'll try the simple way first, Nige - in the morning!
Does it matter which machine has the monitor connected to it?

Ron.

If trying to network them via ethernet cable then you'll need a monitor on both, also, if you do it "directly" and not via a router you'll need a "crossover" cable not a "normal" ethernet cable

All but the oldest NICs manage auto-crossover so no special cable required.

I would suggest a usb caddy for the old machine's disk drive.  Plug it in to the new machine and copy what you need across.  Faster and more reliable than eth to eth crossover.

[TheBoy]

OPs old PC is old. Auto crossover is only a requirement of 1Gbps cards, though later 100Mbps cards have it.

I'd go down the USB flash key route TBH.


OP - do you have a local friend or family member who understands such things, and who can pop round to help?  I fear this is one that has the potential to go badly wrong if done piecemeal via the forum.