How can I transfer data from an old PC?

Question

I have a new PC (with Vista) and want to copy files from my old PC (XP). I've tried connecting a Cat 5 cable between them, but Vista does not seem to "see" the XP Computer.

Answer 1

I'd say using that network cable will be your best bet. There's a few things you'll have to do for it to work-
1. Create a home network. You can do this by going to "My Network Places" and looking on the left side of the screen. There you will see "Set up a home or small office network" Just follow those instrustions and you'll be In like Flynn.
2.Once you have those, you need a "shared" folder on one computer(it will probibaly be easier to put it on the Vista). To do this, make a new folder on your desktop, right click on it, and select "Sharing and Secuerity" Check the box next to "Share this folder on my local network" and "Allow users to change my files"
3. Now on the other computer, go to "my Network Places" and it should come up. If not, click "View Workgroup Computers", double- click on the approprite computer and it should be there.
4. Drag all of the files from the old computer into the shared folder. Go to the new computer, and drag those files into the approite places.
Hope this Helps!

Answer 2

taking a hd out of a old pc formatted with a OS other then vista will not work , as for using a cable it has to be a cross over cable , these can be made for you at most pc repaior shops if the tech their has a clue as to what they are doing , simply go in and assingn each pc a PRIVATE ip something like 10.10.10.1 and 10.10.10.2 so they can communicate and swap the files , or using a router you can network the pc's and transfer the data that way , good luck

Answer 3

Now a days we call it. USB FLASH DRIVE. much faster than the crossover cable.

Answer 4

Hi,

You can Transfer data by Copying all required files to A folder and you create a Cd/dvd.

Then from there you can Copy that to the New vista machine. Also this cd you can use as a backup for your valuable Data.

Or you can Visit this site will give you the steps sugessted by Microsoft :

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/96d5d811-6d52-4dff-b39b-76c64a131dfe1033.mspx#EI

Hope this helps

Answer 5

You need to buy a crossover cable. Do not use a standard cable!

GENERIC 10X8-23707 7 ft. Cat 6 Orange 500 Mhz Crossover Cable With Snag-Free Caps - OEM $2.49 ea.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812117851

How to use
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=39&threadID=199665&messageID=2080256
http://www.conniq.com/WinXPNetworking_Ethernet_direct_connection.htm

Transferring files and settings
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/96d5d811-6d52-4dff-b39b-76c64a131dfe1033.mspx#E1AAC

Moving Files and Settings to a New PC
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/bott_fstw.mspx

Microsoft Site search: Transfer files XP Vista
http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&q=Transfer+files++xp+vista

Answer 6

it won't work with a cat 5 cable unless you have a network hub or router what you need is a cross over cable it looks the same as a cat 5 but wires are crossed to allow a direct pc to pc connection have a look here on how to make one http://www.littlewhitedog.com/content-8.html alternatively go down to you local computer shop and buy one

Answer 7

Take your hard drive out of old PC set it as Slave and connect to new PC, then start up windows goto the hardrive in windows and Drag and Drop