Help needed setting up a home network?

Question

I have just bought a new computer and have been left with the task of transferring all the files from my old laptop, to my new pc. I have been told that the best way to do this is to set up a home network, but I'm having a bit of trouble doing this. Any help would be appreciated, either advice for the network setup, or for perhaps a different way to transfer all my old data.

If it helps, my setup is as follows:
New pc has Windows Vista and built in wireless internet, and of course I have a wireless router for this. My laptop has the previous version of windows, am using a USB dongle for wireless internet access. I also have network cables if they are needed.
Please help me! :)

Answer 1

My guess is that both of your machines also have ethernet connectors. If that is the case use two ethernet cables. It will be much faster than wireless transfer. (100mb vs 54 or less)
Plug both machines directly into the router and restart them.
You can lookup the IP on them using the ipconfig command or using the little network computer icon in the lower right corner if you need to. Once that is done transfer your files Vistas import manager will do the rest. (It comes with vista or you can download it from Microsoft to transfer the files)
added -- they may call this the "migration manager"

If that does not appeal to you get a USB transfer cable and just use USB between them.

Answer 2

So far i haven't found a way of setting up a network wirelessly between vista and xp, am sure there is a way but until i find it all i have been doing is transferring all my files and programmes via DVD. This is a good way of doing it as it also gives you a hard copy for backup purposes. Or you could Google it. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I have most easy and less costly solution.
Both of your computers have Microsoft O/S so you can join both the pc’s by using one cable.
Take one CROSS Cable with RJ 45 connectors and connect both the computers directly but make sure work group of both the computer must be same and the share the files on older pc the on new pc open my network places you will find shared data copy it and past it as needed on 100 MB speed.