I have an old Windows 95 PC that I'd like to junk, but it has a lot of data I need to hive off. Copying it to floppies would take a very long time. M Rich
You should not have any data to hive off: it should all be backed up! However, I appreciate this is harder for Windows 95 users whose PCs pre-date external CD writers that can simply be plugged in to a USB or FireWire port, and lack the ports in which to plug them. If you have broadband, you could zip all the files into one or two smaller files and upload them to a website such as Rapidshare.de, then download them to your new PC. Rapdishare handles files up to 50MB. (Use WinRAR, password-protect the files, and remember to keep the link that enables you to delete the files later.)
If you don't have broadband or have too much data to upload, your best bet is probably to transfer the files via a serial or parallel cable. It can take a long time but usually you can leave it running overnight. I've used Traveling Software's LapLink for Windows to do the job. It's not the cheapest method, but the packaged version comes with suitable cables - as long as your new PC is not USB-only - and it works. Alternatives I have not tried include FastLynx, Powercopy and FileVan.
There are also packages that will attempt to transfer both your data and your settings, such as Easy PC Transfer, Alohabob's PC Relocator and SpearIt's Move Me. However, I suspect you'd be better off using LapLink or FastLynx and Microsoft's Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Microsoft provides a step-by-step guide to making the migration at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/mgrtfset.mspx
Update: Many readers have suggested moving the hard drive to the new PC, or putting it in a USB accessory drive. More later....
