Help please... transfer files

[Sweet Pea]

I'm pretty much a computer dummy..... however, I need some help! I recently purchased a laptop computer. My old desktop was pretty much on its last leg. I thought that I had transferred all the files that I would need to CDs. However, I'm looking for a file that I KNOW was on the old computer - and is not on any of the CDs. I don't have a monitor or keyboard to hook up to the old computer (long story). Can I use a USB cable to connect my new laptop to the old desktop and see the files that are on the old computer? (It is a MS Word doc that I MUST have within the new few days). Thanks a million for any help you can give me. :santathumb

If worse comes to worse, I can hijack a monitor and keyboard to get to the old computer, but I'd rather not, if I can do it the other way. :christmoose

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

The only way to look at files on the old system is if you have sharing enabled. This is a setting to allow others to see your files.

[Praxeas]

I'm pretty much a computer dummy..... however, I need some help! I recently purchased a laptop computer. My old desktop was pretty much on its last leg. I thought that I had transferred all the files that I would need to CDs. However, I'm looking for a file that I KNOW was on the old computer - and is not on any of the CDs. I don't have a monitor or keyboard to hook up to the old computer (long story). Can I use a USB cable to connect my new laptop to the old desktop and see the files that are on the old computer? (It is a MS Word doc that I MUST have within the new few days). Thanks a million for any help you can give me. :santathumb

If worse comes to worse, I can hijack a monitor and keyboard to get to the old computer, but I'd rather not, if I can do it the other way. :christmoose
One possible way is to go buy a HD enclosure and take the old HD out and put it in that. The enclosure needs to match the HD...is it Seriel or is it IDE? You can just open the case, if the cable is a long rectangular plug at the end looks like this
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/z_000553idecable80.jpg

Then it's an IDE. If it is an old PC odds are it is IDE.

Then you get the enclosure for IDE drives. plug in the old HD into the enclosure (follow directions, it's really easy). Just be sure not to drop it. Be careful and do not touch the main board. Unplug the PC from outlet. Unplug the HD, then remove the screws and slide it out. Then put it into the enclosure.

Decide on what type of connection to the Laptop...Firewire or USB...check the laptop before buying the enclosure. Odds are your LT has both and it does not really matter what you choose.

Plug the enclosure into the LT and turn it on and it should show up as an optional drive that you can transfer files back and forth on. Don't boot up with it on though as it might ask you to boot that Operating system. You don't want to boot from the old HD

Enclosures are cheap at places like Frys. Or maybe Best Buy. If not you can try Newegg.com or Tigerdirect.com.

As long as you still have the file system in place and files all there on the old HD it should work. If you deleted or formated, then you will need to get a file recovery program to recover lost data.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Nice writeup Prax.

:thumbsup

DON'T LET BESTBUY WORK ON THE DRIVE!!!!

[Praxeas]

Prax, she has a laptop.
IDE won't work.

Nice writeup though.

:thumbsup

DON'T LET BESTBUY WORK ON THE DRIVE!!!!
Yes it will work. The enclosure you buy is made for IDE and connects to the Laptop via USB or Firewire

[Praxeas]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817716010

[Praxeas]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817173016

[Praxeas]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817105012

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Yes it will work. The enclosure you buy is made for IDE and connects to the Laptop via USB or Firewire

I edited after you....

SweetPea NewEgg ships most of their stuff from the LA area and I get them in up to 3 days ground delivery.

You did miss that the first drive goes in the middle of the cable, and the second at the end- watching the red stripe is on the same side as the power supply plugin. I did this with my Father-in-law's box and copied all of a drive to another. They will show as a "C" and "D" drive or maybe "E" drive. You can then access any files on the old drive, and using two windows, drag files from one drive to another. After I was done, I unhooked the second drive, leaving the empty cable in place.

[Praxeas]

I edited after you....

SweetPea NewEgg ships most of their stuff from the LA area and I get them in up to 3 days ground delivery.
Ah :-)

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Radio Shack had the enclosures for $30.