[Blue Sky]

I have a notebook with first edition Win 98 on it. 3.5", USB ver 1.0.
I would like to do a - one time only - transfer of small files to my new notebook (Win XP). What is the most cost effective, easiest method?

[ChuckE]

Among the easiest ways depends upon the quantity of files, and your existing hardware for both computers.

If the total quantity of files is something under 10 MB, then floppies are cheap, and cost effective. If you have floppy drives in both units. (Which is becoming less frequent ... yeah! I think.)

If it is somewhere under a GB then using USB a flashdrive, is even faster and still cheap, if you already have such a drive. (I would even use a flashdrive before using a floppy for less than 10 MB of files .)

Some people may still have Zip drives (from IOMega - and some other OEM suppliers) and if you do have Zip drives on both, then that is something to consider, too.

If it is more than a GB then using a CD or DVD becomes more reasonable - and secure, since having a permanent version of those files can be very helpful at times. But you of course need a CD or DVD burner on the W98 PC, and a reader at the other end. Even here, sometimes USB flashdrives can be used.

If you have network connections on both computers then you could economically and very fast move the files from one PC to the other, regardless of the size or quantities.

You figure out what you want to do, with the equipment you already have, and/or what you want to purchase.

[Blue Sky]

ChuckE,

Thanks for the advice. I bought a external floppy drive today.
Due to the fact that my Win 98 first edition did not recognize a flash drive, other hardware/software compatibility issues and the files were under 10MB.

This was my first post and the first time on a forum since I was one of the "forum police" on a Compuserve professional forum back in 1992. Thanks, for the quick response!
I'll be back though, being that I have upgraded all my equipment after a 7 yr sabbatical from technology upgrades...

[emdeekay]

I don't know if this is helpful, but I just got a new puter and agonized over my old files. I got a USB external hard drive hooked it up and put my old HD in there... worked the nutz! transferred what i needed via briefcase and plain old copy/move, and I still have all that old stuff 'just in case.' The drive cost $30 (on sale!).