I have quite a bit of music on my normal computer that I'd like to move onto another computer and take to the shop with me.

Here's my problem. I'm a dummy:D

I've tried using a flash drive, not happening with Windows 98. I thought about putting it all on Sendspace or something but then I can't make the damned old computers work on DSL. Not only that but it would take days to DL the information.

What do I need to make a direct connection between computers? The comp I want to use doesn't have an Ethernet port so that's out. It does have USB ports though. Can I use them somehow?

Any he'p is appreciated.

Aaahhhh HAH! Stumped the masses today didn't I?

Here's what I have tried. My son has a portable flash drive so I thought that would do just fine. Put files on it and the old computer won't recognize the USB IIRC. Either that or it needs drivers. Yeah, that's it, it needed drivers. Without an internet connection I'm dead in the water huh?

Can't you burn it to a cd instead ?:scratch2:

You can buy a external USB hard drive for your computer. For the newer hard drives, you might need drivers since you have Windows 98.

Then you can keep the USB drive for backup.

Either burn them to a CD or DVD, or if that isn't an option then you could take the hard drive out of the Win98 computer and hook it to the new computer with a Ide to usb drive adaptor. Then you could freely copy files in either direction.

When you are through re-install the drive in the computer you took it out of.

Hopefully both computers are not running Win 98 or they may not recognize the ide to usb adaptor.

Web that sounds like the easiest way to get it done. They aren't both Win98, this one is an XP.

I'll have to stop at Staples I guess huh?

Thanks guys.

Windows 98 will recognize a flash drive, rathher the USB port but it needs an update to do it.

If your other computer is a desktop with an IDE type hard drive controller, as opposed to a SATA controller, you can attach your old hard drive directly to the newer computer as a second hard drive. Here's how I do it.

Open the side panel of your computer and, with it unplugged from power, reach in and unplug the power cord form your CD/DVD drive/s. Also unplug the big flat IDE cable for your CD/DVD drive/s. Place the old drive on a non conductive surface (a box, etc.) next to the newer computer where the power cord and IDE cable from the CD/DVD player can reach the old hard drive. Plug it in using the end plug of the IDE cable then plug the power cable in. Plug the computer back in and fire it up. When you are booted up your new computer should see the old hard drive as drive D,E,F or similar letter drive. Once recognized, you just move or copy files from one drive to the next. I'll assume you know where the files are coming from and going to so I'll skip that part of the story.

Once you have done the transfer, just return all cables to there original drives, with the computer turned off and unplugged, of course. Put the old drive back in the old computer and you are good to go. Just a pointer about hard drives, always pick up with the edges as opposed to grabbing them by the middle. Hard drives don't like to be squeezed from the top and bottom. Give this transfer method a try. It is surprisingly easy.

Well thank you all for your help on my slow learning curve. What I ended up doing, after nearly disassembling the computer to get to the HD, was just unplug the old HD and plug it into the new motherboard. Left the PS all hooked up on both and transferred data.

I feel so smart:D I know something my kids don't.

Thanks much for all the help.

I use a USB flash drive on Windows 98 all the time. Just check the manufacturer's web site and they should have the drivers for it...

If your other computer is a desktop with an IDE type hard drive controller, as opposed to a SATA controller, you can attach your old hard drive directly to the newer computer as a second hard drive. Here's how I do it.

Open the side panel of your computer and, with it unplugged from power, reach in and unplug the power cord form your CD/DVD drive/s. Also unplug the big flat IDE cable for your CD/DVD drive/s. Place the old drive on a non conductive surface (a box, etc.) next to the newer computer where the power cord and IDE cable from the CD/DVD player can reach the old hard drive. Plug it in using the end plug of the IDE cable then plug the power cable in. Plug the computer back in and fire it up. When you are booted up your new computer should see the old hard drive as drive D,E,F or similar letter drive. Once recognized, you just move or copy files from one drive to the next. I'll assume you know where the files are coming from and going to so I'll skip that part of the story.

Once you have done the transfer, just return all cables to there original drives, with the computer turned off and unplugged, of course. Put the old drive back in the old computer and you are good to go. Just a pointer about hard drives, always pick up with the edges as opposed to grabbing them by the middle. Hard drives don't like to be squeezed from the top and bottom. Give this transfer method a try. It is surprisingly easy.


If your W89 machine has a single hard drive, you will have to change it from master to slave using the jumpers. Search the internet for specific instructions on how to change your make and model a slave.

get a mac, be happy :)

Why not just use a null modem cable and use a free program like "filesendcomm" Granted it could be a little slow but if you have no other means....
c-ya
ToddG

I use a USB flash drive on Windows 98 all the time. Just check the manufacturer's web site and they should have the drivers for it...

Most of the current ones do not support Windows 98. You've probably already fixed your issues, but installing the old hard drive in the new PC is usually what I do.

dew.