transfering files

[leeshott]

how do i trans fer files from old lap to new including internec connection old one is win 98 new is xp

[NetSquirrel]

If you only need to transfer a few megabytes then it is easiest to either use floppy discs or email to send the files. If the amount is large, recordable CDs or DVDs are preferred. If your old laptop can't write to CDs or DVDs then the next best thing is a network cable connecting the two laptops (some software might be required, I don't know). Hopefully this will still work even though you are running two different operating systems. If you can get both machines on the internet at the same time, you can use an instant messaging program such as MSN messenger to directly send the files across (with the limitation that the speed will only be as fast as your internet connection).

[Gandy]

Windows XP has a files and setting transfer wizard.  Simply plug a USB from your new laptop to your old (or serial if it hasn't got USB).  Click start/programs/accessories/system tools/files and settings transfer wizard and let Windows XP sort it out for you.  I wonder if Net Squirrel used MSN Messenger to tranfer files between new and old PC's, rofl.

[NetSquirrel]

Hi Gandy.  Well deduced!  A practical joke gone wrong resulted in someone deleting all my stuff on our computer.  Had to "un-delete" it all and MSN came to the rescue.  It is almost a physical pain when you are sending a 2GB file and you lose your internet connection halfway through.

[inetbuff]

I have taken the base unit of a desk top computer to the shop several times. Personally I would let a shop do it. They'll probably copy all the files on the laptop to a cd using an external cd drive, then move them all into the desktop in the same way.

[dodgyshirt]

inetbuff, your answer undermines the very reason for The Answerbanks existence. People post questions here in order to get advice on how to carry out tasks themselves. Not everyone can afford to keep running to their nearest shop and pay through the nose to have problems sorted out especially as they sometimes have relatively easy solutions and with the appropriate advice, usually based on experience, can be cured in-house.