Transferring Data From older Computer Running Windows 3.1 to Windows 98 or XP

[glicious]

I have an older computer running windows 3.1. I am not sure how to transfer information to one of my newer computers. One with windows 98 and a brand new one with XP.

The older computer does not have USB and I can not find a CD writer that supports 3.1 (perhaps I just do not know where to look) I tried Comp USA and Best Buy.

Does any one have any suggestions.

Do you think I would be able to install windows 98 on the old computer and then upgrade to a cd writer or external Hard drive.

It is a pentium 90 with 514 megabyte harddrive.

Thanks in advance

G

 

[chronokefka]

It might be stupid, but couldn't you just throw the 3.1 HDD into the new computer? That would problably be the easiest way, since I doubt a 16bit OS would support a burner. It shouldn't be much of a problem, but dealing with these bloody comcast customers all day seems to have turned my brain to mush yet again.

 

[glicious]

I do not know. But it might be worth a try. I am also wondering if maybe one of the com ports could transfer the data to the windows 98 machine?

G

 

[crobusa]

Moving the 3.1 HD is recommended.. that said, if you want a connection with a null modem cable look here: http://kime.net/directcc/directcc31.htm

How to set up a network with a null modem cable under WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305621&sd=tech

 

[Fardringle]

You could try to upgrade the system to 98, or use a null modem cable (probably won't work unless it's 3.11 for Workgroups).

It would be easier to just put the old hard drive in the new PC and copy the files from there.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Ditto. Connect the old drive to the new computer as a spare. It will work fine - it's still going to be an IDE drive.

You could also buy an external USB HDD enclosure and put the drive in it if you don't like the idea of opening your computer.

 

[glicious]

Thanks All, Penguin, where would you find an external USB HDD hub? I am low on tech ability and much like water I will need to find the easiest route to my destination.

Thanks

G

 

[Spineshank]

I bet 3.1 flies on a new machine

 

[glicious]

Is there a simple connection for the ide hardrive? and would windows 98 recognize it or would it need some sort of driver to work?

G

 

[zx7r]

Same ribbons (UDMA 2 or 3 - ata 33 or 66 in 3.1) and same hard drive platter. Just plug it in and set your bios to accept it (jumpers obviously need to be set to a slave device unless your plugging it as a secondary master) and rip the files onto your new drive and then throw that old piece of crap to your dogs as a play toy. Or use it as a paperweight.

You dont need to upgrade your OS on your old HDD to make the change. Just do your upgrade, get it running like you want it to run, and then plug in the old HDD and copy/paste

PS - even Vista is backwards compatible to read all windows files (back to pre 3.1) so you don't need to worry about compatability.

 

[glicious]

What is the process to set the bios on the new computer and how do you set it to slave?

thanks

G

 

[zx7r]

Originally posted by: glicious
What is the process to set the bios on the new computer and how do you set it to slave?

thanks

G

You'll need to configure the jumpers on the back of both hard drives (even drives created back when 3.1 was popular have master/slave/cable select settings for the most part). The drive usually has a diagram to show which pins to plug on the jumper interface. You then need to make sure that the ribbon is set up as follows: Motherboard -------[]Slave-----[]Master. E.g. the Master drive is almost always on the end of the ribbon and the slave sits in the middle of the ribbon on the other plug.

You should be able to get into bios by hitting [delete] while the computer is posting (might have to do this a few times to get in). Then you ususally go to the first option in the BIOS (it will be the one where the hard drive(s) and CD/DVD roms are listed). It should have already detected them prior to running the BIOS command interface but if not there is sometimes an option to 'find' a drive while in this screen... a.k.a. autodetect.

Good luck!