How can I efficiently transfer files from a Windows 98 machine with no USB port to a Windows Vista machine?

Answer 1

Either:

1. Burn the files to CD

2. Connect both computers on a local network and transfer via a shard folder

3. Pull the hard drive from te Win98 machine, connect it to your new Vista machine as a secondary/slave drive and copy whatever you need.

Answer 2

The best way is to first, make a folder on your Windows 98 machine and store all of your personal data into that folder. Once you have moved all of your personal data to that folder, remove the hard drive from the 98 machine and make it a slave. The data should be on the drive on which two pins change the drive from a master to a slave. On the Vista machine, you want to temporarly hook the 98 drive to the second CD cable. The new Vista machine may have a Serial Drive (SATA) and the 98 machine most likely had a IDE drive (40 pin), the same as your DVD or CD. If your new machine has two CD type devices, unplug from the second or to make it simple; unplug both CD devices and leave the 98 hard drive as a master. When you boot the system, your system will find new hardware. You will not be able to transfer any programs but when you go to your folder with personal data (the stuff that you created like photo's and documents) you copy and past to your Vista computer. It is best to simply copy the entire folder to your new machine. After this is done, then remove the 98 Drive and plug the IDE cables back into the CD devices. Make sure that the system is not only turned off but unplugged when you make changes. Even with the computer off, the motherboard has power. Most of the time, you can see a small LED still glowing while the machine is off. Wait until the LED dies out before making any cable changes. IF you have never gone inside of a computer, you might find one of your friends that has and pay him to do it for you. It only takes a second to completly destroy a computer once you are inside!!!!! If your 98 machine has a CD burner, you could also make a few CD's of your data and then transfer them that way. You could also buy a USB port card and install it into your 98 machine and then transfer it that way. Good Luck

Answer 3

Well you can save them on to floppy disk. an A drive disk, or if you have cd burning capabilities you can burn the files on to Cd. The only problem with that is that they are probably not going to be in the same format. Say if it is a Microsoft Word file, you may lose alot of the formatting and only be able to open the file in a cheap text version with no font etc.
Thats the only thing I can think of. I'm sure an IT epert can give you a better answer.

Good luck. :)

Answer 4

Use a crossover cable to connect the two machines, once you establish a connection between both machines transfer whatever files you need

Answer 5

Or, take the hard drive out of the 98 machine and set it up as a "slave" in the XP machine and transfer files. When you are done, just take the 98 drive back out.

Answer 6

you can burn a CD
you can use a floppy disk
you can use network

if none of the above you can move the hard drive from the old machine into the new one and copy the files

Answer 7

open your 98 machine, remove the harddrive. set the jumper to slave. open your vista machine(turn it off first) connect the "98" harddrive to the bus with the other one. close the box and start your comp. the "98" harddrive should be accessible thru " my computer"

Answer 8

Use a crossover cable, it's the same cable used to set a network with RJ45 connectors, then you have to configure the two machines to detect each other.
Ask to a technician.

Answer 9

wow thats a good one, well you can't use the file transfer thing that's for sure. I would have to say that CD would be the best bet, though maybe you could use something that I'm not familer with

Answer 10

As I know Windows Easy Transfer won't work so use an alternative third party program.If u have no answer google it.Hope I helped!