How can I transfer files from my old computer?

Get a wired network well actually for this just get 2 cat5 cables and a 100MBPS or router or hub.(if you want to make a wired network to share a broadband connection you have to get a rounter, but hubs are cheaper). 10MBPS OR WIRELESS WILL BE JUST AS SLOW AS THE USB OR PARALELL connections so you can get it but it will take you many many hours if you want to share like 7GB's.

Here is a good 100MBPS router, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004SB92/qid=1077477069/br=2-4/ref=br_ts_slwth_th_4/104-6851030-8900747?v=glance&s=electronics&n=908846

Here is a good 100MBPS HUB, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004SB92/qid=1077477069/br=2-4/ref=br_ts_slwth_th_4/104-6851030-8900747?v=glance&s=electronics&n=908846

REMEMBER THESE PRODUCTS CAN ALWAYS BE BOUGHT AT RADIO SHACK, CIRCUIT CITY, BEST BUY, ETC.........

This Relates to the USB NOW so read if thats your only choice!!!

If you still want to use the USB cable your going to need software to go with it you cant just stick one side in the comp the other side in the other and have it work. Hopefully he is giving you software cause windows can't just do that ok.

Thanks for your reply.  I have some documentation that says that Windows XP has a Files and Settings transfer wizard which can move data between systems but that the computers must be connected with a "null modem serial cable"  (not a standard serial cable). What is this cable and where can I get one online?

Alizarin

I was able to set up an adhoc network between my 5150 and a very old Pentium 233 running Win98 with the XP network configuration utility and the XP setup disc in the old computer.  Surprisingly it worked fine with a standard cat 5 cable.  You may try that first before you spend money on a hub or router.  Just be sure to disable file/printer sharing and activate the XP firewall before connecting to the internet after you are done transferring the files.

JK

Same here, I was able to hook up my laptop with a friends using a standard Cross-over cable, you can get them very cheap (you don't need a very long one). Try that before buying a hub or router.

stu

sakor is right - a crossover cable is the "null cable" they're talking about in the documentation, so if both computers have network cards, that's your best option, IMO.

Thanks for your reply.  I don't know what "network cards" are.

A.

Thanks for your reply.  What is a cat 5 cable.  where can I get one and how do I set up the ad hoc network?

Alizarin

Thanks.  What is a Cross over cable and how do I set this up.  do I need special software for it to work?

A

A network (or NIC or Ethernet) card is the hardware that allows your computer to access a network or connect to other PCs, routers, or cable modems. An easy way to check if your old computer has a network card is to see if it has somewhere you can plug in a RJ-45 cable.

On your new 8600, on the back, these are the plugs from the left side of the system: s-video, USB (2), RJ-45 network connector, modem. So, see if your old computer has a similar plug to the RJ-45 network connector somewhere on it, and that will confirm that it has a network card.

If the old computer has that plug, you should be able to go to Radio Shack (or any computer store) and get a crossover cable to connect them.

Note that there are 2 kinds of RJ-45 (or Cat 5) cables - the normal ones that you would use to connect to a network server or cable modem or router - this isn't what you want. The second kind is a crossover cable, used to connect two computers directly to each other, and that's what you want to do.

This is an example of the cable that I'm talking about:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=278-2011

Hope that helps. Post back or PM me if you still have questions.

Thanks.  Very helpful.  I'll check to see if my old computer has the RJ-45 plug and then see where I can get the cable her in Spain where I am located.

Alizarin

I checked and unfortunately my old computer doesn't have an RJ-45 connection.  I guess I will have to try to make the transfer with the USB cable if I can get the software.

Alizarin