How can I transfer big files to another computer?

This is the easiest and cheapest way - all you need is a USB port on both computers and a USB Flash Drive.

Plug the flash drive into computer #1 - save the files to the flash drive. Wait a count of 10 after the files are saved, unplug the flash drive, plug it into computer #2. Go to my computer, look at the hard drives, find the flash drive, click on it and then click on the files you want to transfer. Save these files to the new computer. Again, wait a count of 10 to unplug the flash drive after the files are saved.

Another way - if you have an old computer with no USB ports and Windows 98 on both computers and a laplink cable to connect them. This does not work well if there are different opperating systems.

*** DIRECT CABLE (LAP-LINK) FILE TRANSFER IN SEVEN EASY STEPS ***

1. START - PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - COMMUNICATIONS - DIRECT CABLE CONNECTION
   • If direct Cable connection is not available, instal from WIN 98 disk.
   • It must be installed on both computers. It is under COMMUNICATIONS.
   • If in doubt what parts to choose, install the whole package.
   
   
2. START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL - NETWORK - IDENTIFICATION
   • Name each computer a short simple name without spaces or numbers.
   • Name them different names
   • example - computer #1 named LUCY
   • computer #2 named SNOOPY
     
   • Name the workgroup the SAME name on both computers
   • example - computer #1 workgroup name - PEANUTS
   • computer #2 workgroup name - PEANUTS
   
   
3. START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL - NETWORK - ACCESS CONTROL
   • Set to share-level access control on BOTH computers
   
   
4. START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL - NETWORK - CONFIGURATION
   • Set to file and printer sharing for Microsoft networks - Microsoft Family Logon
   • Click FILE AND PRINT SHARING button
   • Select I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OTHERS ACCESS TO MY FILES
   • When you are finished with the file transfer you should go back and de select this option.
   
   
5. Creat a new file on the desktop of both computers.
   • Name the file something simple (one word no number or spaces)
   • example - computer #1 new file named Charley
   • computer #2 new file named Brown
     
   • RIGHT CLICK (on closed file) - SHARING
     
   • Select SHARED AS and name the file
   • example - computer #1 shared as named Charley
     computer #2 shared as named Brown
     
   • Select ACCESS TYPE - FULL
   • type in a password
   • example - computer #1 FULL ACCESS PASWORD - please
   • computer #2 FULL ACCESS PASWORD - thanks
   
   
6. Connect the laplink cable to both computers - you may have to disconnect the printer if you only have one parallel port and you printer is connected to it. This port is usually called LPT1.
   
   
7. START - PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - COMMUNICATIONS - DIRECT CABLE CONNECTION
   • Select DIRECT CABLE CONNECTION and follow directions of wizard.
   • I like the computer that wants the file to be the HOST and the computer that gives the file to be the GUEST.
   • Type in the names and passwords as requested by the wizard - these passwords are not supposed to be secret, the other person needs to know them. Watch the case - upper case is not the same as lower case.
   • Let the computers talk to each other, don't interupt them.
   • When they say they are connected - the guest should see a VIEW HOST button - click it.
   • A window should open and you should see the shared file of the host computer in it.
   • Now you can copy any file on your computer and paste it into the shared file just as you would on your own desktop. You can also copy files from the shared file and paste them onto your desktop. The sharing should work both ways as it is set up.
   
   

If connection is broken the computers will remember who is Host and who is Guest when you select the direct cable connection again. To change this you must select the CHANGE button and go through the wizard again.

Be patient doing this. It hardly ever works right if you are stressed, tired, or in a hurry.