ME to XP.. help transferring

Hi, I was told to come here and i could get the help i need here!

I have two computers one running ME and one running XP. I want to transfer the contents of ME to XP and i was told that networking was the way to go.

I do have a internet (DSL) connection with a router via USB connection. Both computers can connect to the internet via usb but not simultaneously, which what i think i need to do. I only have one pc hooked up (XP) but if i need both of them im more then willing to learn someone is willing to tell me what to do!

Thanks much... its driving crazy not being able to get to the files i really want on the pc that i want. :cry

 

i take it you aren't comfortable switching hard drives in and out?

 

Havent a clue how to do it and with my luck i'll screw something up.

 

Hi champion shouter,

Join forces with Rover who is doing the same thing.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=129435

Networking is messy as you have to establish logins etc. Do both pcs have network cards/ ports?
If so you can make a straight cable connection with a crossover cable (pc to pc) to establish the network. These cables are dirt cheap these days.

Do you need to do this once only or regularly? That will affect which method you choose.

 

how do i know if have the ports or cards? and yes i only need to do this once (hopefully)!!

 

On the other thread, I suggested using a usb stick . That would be your best bet also.

The network ports ( sockets) look a bit like the old telephone socket for a modem, but a bit wider. They are called ethernet. See pic below. The yellow cable plugs into one of several ethernet sockets on the blue box. The black box has phone and ethernet adjacent. You don't need the boxes, it's just the sockets are the same on a pc if you have the connections.

 

The first thing i tried was a usb stick, wasnt compatible with ME. Secondly, I dont have an ethernet port on the one running ME and when i went to connect to my isp via ethernet (with the one running XP) it said i didnt have an ethernet adapter.. so i guess that idea is out. arrgh!!

Is there any other way? like with usb or something? if there is can someone please help me and give me step by step instructions?
I know im asking alot and i will (and i do already) greatly appreciate any and all help given.. Thanks.

 

i have seen double ended usb cords.... but never used one.... not sure what happens when you hook up computer to computer.....

 

There are some older usb1 sticks that are have drivers for win9x. Also many digital cameras can do this. I used to use my Minolta a lot to transfer data before sticks became widely available.

Think laterally, I don't know what resources you or your friends have. perhaps someone has an old zip drive?

Every microsft OS since DOS has had the ability to communicate via a link.
For DOS it was called interlink, with 9x it became direct cable connection.

You need a special cable to run this, serial or parallel (printer). You plug one end into each pc and set it going. I't easy and free, except for the cable.

Look for a null modem cableor interlink cable, ask an IT dept if you can borrow one.

Two Win XP can computers can do this with a USB or Infra red link but not the 9x, Sorry Irish.

If you locate one I'll post detailed instructions.

 

would this work?? or is there another, hopefully cheaper, alternative?

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=20963

 

On your DSL connection, is the router part of the modem? Most routers have multiple outputs, but I would suppose that's not a rule or anything.

So your router has a USB output, and you switch this USB port between the computers, is that right? And it isn't wireless?

Wreless USB / internet connectors are networks, but that doesn't sound like your setup.

Ethernet is pretty common, especially on newer motherboards. I know the older computer probably doesn't have one, but it worth checking. My 7+ year old motherboard has it built in. Studoit discription is accrurate, think of a phone connector only with 8 wires in back of your computer (phone lines use 4).

The gadget you're looking at would work. I also have a couple of network cards if you want them. I have a version of the USB connector they're showing, the software is the thing. Does anyone know if it is in shareware form?

 

I am attaching pix of my router (front, back and connectors) sorry the pix are grainy my camera aint the best. As you can tell in the one pic i connect to the internet via usb because the last time i tried ethernet... i gave my self one big head ache :banghead and no its not wireless.

Would the network cards allow me to connect without the use of the ethernet? b/c that option is not allowed with my pcs... the older one not having the port.

Im so confuzzled :cry

 

OK, that phone looking jack on the 1st picture, which I assume is the DSL modem, is definately an ethernet connection. They also offer the USB as a convienence, but it isn't really networked. Betcha you had to install software to use the USB for internet. Having said this, USB can be a full featured network connector, wireless allows it to be so. It's the number of wires that do it. Early networks (which is not what we're talking about here) used a piece of coax similiar to what is used on TV sets and chained from computer to computer to computer, but that approach has been abandoned.

But I'm off topic. Does either one of the computers have a similar connector? If so it is likely ethernet.

I'll post some pictures of my own in a later post. By the way, I use a westel DSL modem, but mine is not a router. I had to add one after the fact, so it was a wireless router with multiple outputs. I've gone through 3 brands, they all worked well, but I've had various electrical issues. Average price, between $10 - 30. What you need is a switch or hub, they work slightly different from each other, but the end result is the same.

 

Hey Bill, the Lady doen't have ethernet on the Win 98 pc.

I don't think you can use the usb port of this router as one network connection and the RJ45 as the other. In fact I don't know of any that you can it's either usb or ethernet.

What's needed is the cheapest way to get files larger than a floppy off the 98 pc. There are a zillion ways to get them on to the XP.

Another suggestion, Dyamond. this one is all software.

Get a free website
Upload your files from w98 pc.
Change to wXP pc
Download your files.

Be creative

 

Hey studiot,

Thanks for the suggestion but that was the first thing that I tried.. I would get half way through the upload and everytime I would get a message that my "connection has been reset" and I couldnt finish uploading anything.
Then I tried the USB drive which wasnt compatible... this was my last resort coming here for ideas.

 

Here are some costs

An interlink cable about $10 but useless for anything else

A USB1 pc - pc link about $30

A small ethernet switch $5 plus an ethernet card for you 98pc $5

USB1 stick plus 98 software $5 to $20


Studio T

 

I like the ethernet route because it is useful for much more than transfering files. I'll give an ethernet card to Dymond, I bought loads several years ago, average price is $3, they require PCI interfaces, which were around for ME computers and are pretty standard (note, ME, not 98 or 98SE, which is actually buggier in the long run).

Does the XP machine have a ethernet? I'm trying to establish what the hardware we have to work with.

Yes, a USB crossover cable would do the job, but is pretty limited in functionality, plus it needs software. Networking does have a learning curve, but all the software is part of the OS, and knowledge gains in this field are useful forever.

Being the packrat that I am, I even have spare hubs (I'm upgrading to switches for the faster speeds). The hubs are 10MBit/sec (approx. 12 Mbyte/sec). This is fast enough for most everything, including video streaming. I've played with playing a DVD over the network from one computer to another.

Added bonus, the internet off the DSL might be faster. This is somewhat dependent on the ISP, but the gains could be significant.

 

How would you know? I've yet to see this as definative, and I've reread the posts several times. Like I said before, and it isn't written in stone, but many motherboard of that era had this stuff built in as part of the motherboard.

If the hardware already exists, then we can be up and going.

I've built ethernet crossover cables, even with a direct connect you still have to set it up, the procedures are pretty similar in either case.

The good news is sharing with ME (or 98) is easier than on XP. None are that hard, just click properties on the HD in question and allow it.

 

Reread posts 4,5 and 6 and this quote

 

Good enough, but I have free card is Dyamond needs it, and a hub if I can find the power supply.

 

But does it work on both computers?

That's real helpful, Bill.
I don't like to ask Dyamond if she has no friends with something she can use to make the transfer.

 

actually its a webcam... not an actual camera.

And yes I have friends but there not real techincally inclined.

 

I actually didnt think to use a old usb drive, so i borrowed one and it worked like a gem! thanks alot for all your help!!!!!:wave

 

Glad you got there in the end

 

thats it im going to kill myself!! (well not really but i needed to say something dramatic) after all that and thinking i finally got it... the stupid usb works on ME but not on XP.. i plugged it in an it said there wasnt a driver installed and i cant find one for it. why oh why me :cry

 

Is it a USB memory stick?

 

this is exactly what it is...

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0242478

and i think i just broke it (dunno how) but when i put it back in ME it'll bring up Removable Disk (D: ) and when i click on it to open it (to see whats inside) its says "please insert disk into drive D: " :cry why do i have such bad luck with things that arent mine!!

 

Quick thought

Many pcs have front and back USB sockets, but not are are turned on.

Try a different one.
Try also restarting the pc with the stick plugged in.

 

Sounds like a good though, XP should be extra reliable with a USB device, especially memory sticks. I usually have that problem with 98.

 

ME only has two (which i tried both) doesnt recognize it, XP tells me its malfunctioned or not have the correct drivers... it doesnt even light up anymore guess im just screwed huh?

 

Perhaps it was put away before becuse it was dodgy.

Perhaps you should have another go at the net?

You may have tried to upload too much at once or you may have tried to upload something with an unacceptable file extension.

If you get winzip or ther zipping program (free from MG) and zip up your stuff into bite size chunks (say 10M) they should prove more digestible.

Alternatively you can EMAIL yourself the files!

 

I tried that second after trying to upload em to the web... didnt work either.

Finally as a last shot deal, I re-tried the one (usb) not compatable with ME, I figured what the heck why not I just updated the drivers, and it worked!!! HA I was overjoyed, now I can finally do what I've been intending :celebrate


Thanks everyone for your assistance! :wave