Computer help forum: Transfer data from old computer to new computer ? what do I need ?

"Direct-Cable Connection Introduction".

kd,

It's important to know the operating systems involved and whether they both have "Network Interface Cards", or USB ports etc. It also makes a difference on "how much" information you're trying to transfer. Remember that most of the programs will need to be "reinstalled" on the new computer if you're going to us them again. So, if you only have a handful of documents, or small pictures, to transfer, do it with a floppy disk or a CD Writer, if available. Some folks have done it by sending themselves, or a friend e-mail, then retrieving it when the new computer is installed.

On the other hand, if the old computer has large amounts of pictures, or other files, then you might want to network the two computers temporarily so the data can be transferred quickly and easily. Here are a couple of links on how you might choose to do that:

Direct Connection with a "Laplink" Cable

USB LinQ Link Cable Networking

USB Cable Networking : Introduction

As mentioned by Yewanchors, if both machines have a network card installed, purchase a CAT5 Cross-over cable and simply connect the two computers through the NIC's.:
Configuring Your Home Network

Hope this helps.

Grif

Or you can use your digital camera as a transfer device via the USB, or by one of those external USB flash memory devices, or maybe even consider a USB external drive. Given you are transferring Word documents, these will zip up into quite small archives using WinZip which means the transfer media might even be floppy.

Big question - whats to happen with the old system. If you intend to keep it, then network them.