Computer Conundrum

Transfering files from one computer to another

[edit_g]

So I got a brand spanking new PC. It's lovely. Big LCD monitor, wireless everything + added bells & whistles.

But, there's a large amount of stuff that I have to transfer from my old PC to the new one. I've no zip disk, no external hard drive, no nothing. Not even a network cable (so far).

Assuming that I don't want to fork out for an external hard drive and I don't know enough about computers to safely take the HD out of the old one and install it in the new one - what's the best way to transfer my old stuff onto the new PC?

[kenhughes]

If you're not comfortable putting your original hard drive into your new PC as a second drive and then just copying the files you need, you may like to try something like PC Linq (http://www.nti1.com/usb-link.html).

This is a basically a cable that plugs into the USB ports on each machine and acts like a very simple mini-network. It costs around $30 and has all the software you need to link the two computers together.

There are other products of a similar nature in the market. Many years ago I used one (LapLink I think it was called), that utilized the printer ports to connect the two machines but I don't remember much more than that about it (other than it worked well).

Hope that helps,
Ken

[martinibuster]

I have all my computers networked either by wire or wirelessly and routinely transfer stuff back and forth between computers. I just right click on the folder and set it as a shared resource.

The wireless network is secure so I'm hoping my data is safe but you know, what is, right?

[krod]

there is a program called 'Ditto' which can do all of this for you. Or you could upload all the needed stuff to a ftp/http server and then redownload it to your new pc.
and martinibuster,
hopefully you have MAC address filtering, not just WEP.
WEP can be easily cracked with time ;)

[edit_g]

Thanks guys - problem sorted. :)

This thread was quite a bit longer, pre-downtime, and all my questions were answered. Thanks again.