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Thread ID: 96697 2009-01-19 20:25:00 Transfering data from Windows 98 to XP dallas (14539) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
740270 2009-01-19 20:25:00 I have an old computer with Windows 98 second edition.
How do I transfer data from this computer to another with Windows XP using an ethernet cable?
dallas (14539)
740271 2009-01-19 20:29:00 You cant copy programs that have already been installed.

If this is what you want to do. It wont work. You'll have to reinstall them on XP

You can copy documents / install files tho

If theyre connected by ethernet now. Enable file sharing, then create a folder on both and share it

Then either make a shortcut to that folder, then copy whatever across.

Or open both of the shared folders, and copy and paste between the 2
Speedy Gonzales (78)
740272 2009-01-19 20:43:00 You could use XP's Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, and that will also transfer settings. pcuser42 (130)
740273 2009-01-20 01:43:00 From the sound of your post, it seems that you only have an ethernet cable and nothing else. You can try a crossover networking to transfer the files from the 98SE to the XP computer.

Please refer to my signature for more details.

Cheers :)
Renmoo (66)
740274 2009-01-20 01:48:00 I'd take the hard drive out and connect it to the new one.
Transfer your stuff directly, way easier and less hassle.
pctek (84)
740275 2009-01-20 04:03:00 x2 for pctek's method. Bantu (52)
740276 2009-01-20 04:15:00 x2 for pctek's method.

Depends on how much he knows about computers and if he has ever taken a HDD out before. File sharing would be an easy way to go or if you only have small files than you could use a flash drive to move the data across but windows 98 might need the drivers for that.
ronyville (10611)
740277 2009-01-20 20:22:00 Yep, if you take the HDD out and pop in other and copy that would be much faster. Last night I copied something network took, well it said 70 mins, by reattaching it via the motherboard it was 15mins.

** In my experience copying a win98 to a winxp is easier. Ie., the winxp windows is using it's own hdd. I found that if you take the windows xp hdd and attach it to a foreign computer going via my documents you may be denied access even when you login has admin rights. I dealt with this by copying those files outside of documents and settings folder ie .. makea folder like backup on C: alone or onto D:. There might be a workaround tho but I dunno.

Other:
Yes, network cable, sometimes it might not work and need a router in my experience.
You can use USB as well, and probably serial or parallel cale too but slower.
You can use DVD writers, memory cards with USB readers, flash drives, floppy disk etc.

You can backup files, but not programs, they need to be reinstalled.
Nomad (952)
740278 2009-01-20 20:39:00 Network just use a crossover cable or a router in between, both computer share a drive for eg and make sure you have the right network protocols installed .. .right click my network places and hit properties. I think you need to add ipx/spx protocol, if I had just file sharing for ms networks that didn't work. Nomad (952)
740279 2009-02-17 11:36:00 Hi,
I also have a similar problem. I only need to transfer "My Documents" from my old IBM ThinkPad laptop with Windows 98 to my new laptop with XP. I bought a USB flash drive thinking this would do the job. However, after going into My Computer, Microsoft tells me that it can't locate a "driver". My old laptop only has a floppy disk drive & has never been connected to the internet, so I can't download anything on to it. I then noticed on the flash drive packet that it was for Windows 2000 up. Can I buy one that will take care of Windows 98 without needing a "driver". If not, what do I do about remedying this problem. I am pretty naive on these things so please forgive my ignorance. However, I have read on a search about connecting a "null modem serial cable" between the 2 laptops, is this what I need to do the job? Any advice will be most appreciated.
Thanks.
robinp
robinp (14540)
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