Getting a new computer -- need data transfer help

[LibInternationalist]

I'm moving from a Dell laptop to a Dell desktop, and I would like to transfer some things from my hard drive (school work, pictures) to the new computer -- problem is, the only storage device I can hook up to the laptop is floppy drive -- is there any way I could just hook the laptop up to the new computer as a hard drive or something? Thanks for any help

[LTR]

1. Networking is tough

Still trying to figure it out.

On idea is to buy an external CD burner that plugs in with a USB. They're getting cheaper.

Also, I have done the crazy stuff like transferring the hard drive of one computer to the new one. Not sure if this would work on a laptop. Still pretty easy to do on desktops. Once you do it, it's drag-n'drop.

Even sillier, you can email the pics and docs to yourself. They're small enough files usually. Yes, I have done this.

I'm interested in seeing the responses here. There's got to be an easier way.

[Submariner]

I belive that if you hook up

the USB on the front of your desktop to the USB or serial port on your laptop, the desktop will automatically recognize the connection allowing you to transfer files.

[LibInternationalist]

8. that sounds almost too easy --

--but great if it works

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Don't know how it works in Windows

but on a Mac, you connect the two computers with a crossover cable and use "file sharing." When you do that, the computer you are transferring to appears as a disk icon on your desktop and you just drag the files to it.

I assume that there's something comparable in Windows.

[JM]

3. There are

software packages available that will do a disk image and place the image on another machine. THen all you do is use the software to resore the image to the new machine and voila...you have a complete copy of your laptop drive on the desktop.

Paragon Software

http://www.drive-backup.com

Later,
JM

[wtmusic]

4. Ethernet

If both computers have an Ethernet port it's as easy as connecting a cable.

[LibInternationalist]

9. duh --

-- hadn't thought of that, either

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Simplest way...

if you have network adapters on both machines is to set up a simple file sharing network. You need either a crossover cable or nework hub and at least two cables. In Windoze, there are instructions in the help files for setting this up. Should be under "file and printer sharing"

I vaguely remember that when I set mine up there was a file missing somewhere. There are more (and better) instructions here:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm


Here's how to connenct two computers via USB ports:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/usbmain.htm

(It's not as simple as it used to be with Laplink and the parallel port.)

[Nlighten1]

6. You need a network or...

an external hard drive.

[frylock]

7. you wouldn't need to transfer anything if you had bought a mac..

ya see.. Macs are so superior, that they link up telepathically, eliminating the need for all that cumbersome cabling, and protocols and whutnots. Plus, they inherently know which files you want to transfer!! Just think about those files, and they are automatically transferred.. also, they retain their directory structure!! Oh my good gosh, there is no limit to what can be accomplished with these wonderful machines!! Downtime.. bahh.. you need only to reboot this miracle machine once per summer solstice! Boy.. did you blow it buyin another PC!! :P </sarc>

[alfredo]

10. You are closer to the truth than you think.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/rendezvous/

Rendezvous lets you create an instant network of computers and smart devices just by getting them connected to each other. The computers and devices take over from there, automatically broadcasting and discovering what services each is offering for the use of others. The network could be as simple as two AirPort Extreme-equipped PowerBook users sitting in a hotel meeting room miles from the nearest AirPort Extreme Base Station with some large files they need to share. Before Rendezvous, frustration. With Rendezvous, your computer will discover others, making file sharing completely simple