I need help with File Sharing on NOT networked PC's (XP - W7)

[MetalMan228]

Morning all,

I have searched the win7 forums for help with transferring files from XP-W7, but only seem to find threads with networked PC's

I still have my old XP machine as a backup if my current W7 machine were to die suddenly. I keep it in the closet and wanted to take it out, hook it up to the internet and update everything I can, then I wish to delete all the documents/pictures etc, which are outdated and copy to the XP machine all my current documents/pictures etc so that both machines would be mirror image's of each other with current resumes and pics etc if it became necessary to use the XP computer for any reason.

If there is a thread about transferring files, like via a thumb drive please let me know so we don't rehash this again. Currently I have a 16GB thumb with copy's of my documents/pics/music/videos that I keep updated in case of a major problem as well as online backups, but i thought if could if I change the root maybe i'd be able to transfer all this to my XP computer.

 

[Kari]

Something I don't understand: You tell you want to connect the XP machine to Internet for updates. If so, why don't you simply hook it up to the same router than your Seven machine, set both to same workgroup and share / copy files normally?

You can of course use any external device to copy files between computers.

Kari

 

[MetalMan228]

Sorry, I guess i should have explained the setup better. My current Win7 machine is connected to the internet via a cable to phone/Ethernet modem. This modem only has one Ethernet connection so when I hook up the XP machine I need to disconnect the Win7 computer and plug in the XP one. I cannot hook both machines to the internet at the same time. (with my current setup)

Actually I was hoping to transfer the files via the 16GB thumb I mentioned earlier in the post without having to spend any money on arranging a temporary setup i will not be using again, (unless my living situation changes in the future).

I thought I could change the root name to transfer the files from the thumb, then change it back.

 

[Kari]

OK. Thinking of how cheap USB WiFi adapters are, I would by two adapters and then share the Windows 7 computers Internet connection with XP. Here two adapters with less than £20: Edimax EW-7811UN 150Mbps Wireless Nano USB Adapter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Your modem or router do not have to be WiFi, you connect the Seven PC with Ethernet cable to modem as usual. Then a WiFi adapter on a free USB port on Seven PC, share its Internet connection as told in this tutorial, the other WiFi adapter to XP machine and suddenly you are online with both.

If you prefer the manual method, you need no specific instructions: an external USB storage device to Seven PC, copy files to it, remove it from Seven PC, connect to XP PC and copy files from USB device to XP PC.

 

[strollin]

Since you have the files backed on the thumb drive, plug it in to the XP computer and copy them over. I'm not sure what you are asking about in regards to changing the root name?

One way to do it with only 1 computer connected to the internet at a time would be to setup a free DropBox account. Upload the files to DropBox from the Win 7 computer, disconnect, then connect XP computer and download but honestly, the thumbdrive would be easier and faster.

 

[MetalMan228]

The reason i thought that the root was different was when my XP died and i bought the Win 7 machine and i went to my online backup to download my pics/documents and the files would not transfer.

The reason they gave was differing addresses: for example win7-

C:\Users\robert macmichael\Downloads

This is supposed to be different than XP and the XP machine would not recognize it. I cannot find a XP address for comparison but i thought they cannot directly interchange. I think that the user name is not part of a file location on XP. Maybe command path is what I am thinking...

Oh, the Edimax is a #1 bestseller on Amazon USA cheap too...

 

[strollin]

The directory structure in Win 7 is different so in that case, copy the contents of the Win 7 downloads folder to the downloads folder of the XP machine.

 

[MetalMan228]

That seems like an easy way to accomplish what I am trying to do

The files on my thumb are not in the "downloads", but I guess I can still try to copy them to the download folder on the XP machine.

I am including a screenshot of the thumb drive contents.

I was hoping to open each folder and select the contents and copy them to the appropriate folder on my XP machine.

 

[strollin]

I only used downloads as an example since you used it.

Regardless, you just need to do exactly what you said, "I was hoping to open each folder and select the contents and copy them to the appropriate folder on my XP machine." The folders may be in a different location and may have slightly different names but the content is the same. For instance, Win 7 - Music, XP - My Music. Win 7 - Pictures, Win XP - My Pictures.

There's also nothing stopping you from creating folders on either machine that are named the same to make it easier on yourself.

 

[MetalMan228]

Alright, thats what i will do. I am just trying to get my ducks in a row before i pull out the old PC to do this and find out I cant, lol! It will be a week or so till i do, but afterwords i will report back and let everyone know how it went,

thanks!!

 

[Kari]

The reason they gave was differing addresses: for example win7-

C:\Users\robert macmichael\Downloads

This is supposed to be different than XP and the XP machine would not recognize it. I cannot find a XP address for comparison but i thought they cannot directly interchange. I

Your user profile folder on Seven:
C:\Users\Your_Username

Your user profile folder on XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\Your_Username

 

[MetalMan228]

Great Kari, thats what i was thinking.

Now, do i need to change that on my thumb before copying it to the XP computer, or can I just copy directly as strollin was saying?