Help transferring files from 1998 PC running Windows 98

[easysurfer]

How about something like an external cd writer that supports win 98?

http://www.amazon.com/External-Wind...sr=8-1&keywords=external+cd+burner+windows+98

 

[hnzw_rui]

Yet another +1 on gauss' suggestion. An HDD dock would be the simplest solution. It's really not that hard to open up computers to remove the HDD.

 

[target2019]

Ship the box to a computer expert?

 

[cathy63]

Well, I tried plugging in the router,but the connector does not fit.

Do you recall if this computer connected to the Internet via dial-up? If so, you would not be able to plug the ethernet cable from your router, with it's RJ45 connector, into the modem, which has an RJ11 jack. The ethernet cable would be too big.

If you do have a modem in the computer, and you also have a land-line phone, then you could connect it that way, but then you would need a dial-up internet service.

I think your best bet is, as others have said, to get the hard drive(s) out of the old computer and connect them to your newer computer as external drives.

 

[gauss]

Do you recall if this computer connected to the Internet via dial-up? If so, you would not be able to plug the ethernet cable from your router, with it's RJ45 connector, into the modem, which has an RJ11 jack. The ethernet cable would be too big.

If you do have a modem in the computer, and you also have a land-line phone, then you could connect it that way, but then you would need a dial-up internet service.

I think your best bet is, as others have said, to get the hard drive(s) out of the old computer and connect them to your newer computer as external drives.

There is another idea! - Thanks Cathy

FWIW, I have used free dial-up access numbers in the not too recent past. I am away from my pc currently but here is an example of what I am talking about: Free California Internet Access

I will try to remember to augment this post when I get home with the provider that I have first hand experience with.....

-gauss

p.s. If you go this way, please realize that your computer will be directly connected to the Internet with no router/firewall for protection as mentioned by Sunset. Tradeoff of potential risk and potential convenience.

I have heard discussions of random ware that if loaded onto your PC by a hacker will strongly encrypt all your files (ie pictures) unless you pay them a few hundred dollars (in bitcoin) within a couple of days. I thought it was quite sobering when I heard at least one law enforcement agency who actually paid the ransom and went public with it.

 

[Ian S]

I agree with others that the best approach with the highest odds of success is to remove the hard drive and use an adapter cable setup that would have the connector to attach to your hard drive and adapt it to a modern USB connector. Be aware that you could have an odd size hard drive that would not fit in a typical external hard drive case so the external hard drive case approach also suggested might not work. For example, one of my computers from the late 1990's had a Quantum Bigfoot hard drive with a 5.25" form factor. It would not fit in a typical external drive case but its connector is compatible with the adapter cable which I personally have used with success in such instances.

If you don't feel capable of removing the hard drive and hooking it up to the cable adapter yourself, perhaps you have a knowledgeable friend or relative who could assist you.

 

[easysurfer]

There is another idea! - Thanks Cathy

FWIW, I have used free dial-up access numbers in the not too recent past. I am away from my pc currently but here is an example of what I am talking about: Free California Internet Access

I will try to remember to augment this post when I get home with the provider that I have first hand experience with.....

-gauss

p.s. If you go this way, please realize that your computer will be directly connected to the Internet with no router/firewall for protection as mentioned by Sunset. Tradeoff of potential risk and potential convenience.

I have heard discussions of random ware that if loaded onto your PC by a hacker will strongly encrypt all your files (ie pictures) unless you pay them a few hundred dollars (in bitcoin) within a couple of days. I thought it was quite sobering when I heard at least one law enforcement agency who actually paid the ransom and went public with it.

I was thinking the same about the RJ45 not fitting into the phone jack. When I had ATT DSL, dial up came with the service as backup. Of course, depending on the amount of files, that makes dial up practical or not.

About the news of the cops who had to fork over and pay up to unlock the ransomed PC, that's where a good rollback or imaged backup process would have come in handy. A PC of mine got locked out in a similar way before, but luckily, I was able to rollback and say "close but no cigar" to those crooks .

 

[rbmrtn]

About the news of the cops who had to fork over and pay up to unlock the ransomed PC, that's where a good rollback or imaged backup process would have come in handy. A PC of mine got locked out in a similar way before, but luckily, I was able to rollback and say "close but no cigar" to those crooks .

If it is the one I'm thinking of, they got hit by cryptolocker. There is no recover from that one. It encrypts all the users files so a system restore doesn't help.

 

[easysurfer]

If it is the one I'm thinking of, they got hit by cryptolocker. There is no recover from that one. It encrypts all the users files so a system restore doesn't help.

I must have just had the generic variety of ransom ware then

I knew there was a reason why I make image backups of my system and data on a separate drive.

 

[target2019]

Ok. I had a few of those T500 or 550's. The hard dive is vertically mounted at the front of the case.

- remove the large screws at back of case. these hold the cover. slide off the cover.
- disconnect the ide cable, disconnect the power cable.
- remove two screws that attach the bracket to the inside front of case.
- remove the front bezel. there are tabs inside the case which you press in. the front bezel comes off.
- locate screws that go through case, into bracket. this is an annoyance that later models do not have
- lift out the bracket and drive.
- remove screws that hold drive to bracket.
- attach the drive to your IDE enclosure or cable.

You might run into a serious amount of dust in the case. If you have allergies, do it outside on a windless day. Some of the steps might be worng. Search youtube for video to help you with various steps. Be sure to get an enclosure or cable that works with IDE.

 

[target2019]

Many people still use windows 98, I still have a PC with Win98 as well as ones with OS/2, DOS/Win3.1 and other OSs.

I still use floppies on the old PCs, Win98 did not come with mass storage drivers for USB but you can download one and install it, then the USB flash drive will work ( or an external USB HD ) I use them on windows 98 without issues.

Windows 98 USB Mass Storage Device Drivers

The IDE/SATA conversion cable are also very useful, work well. I use those a lot when working with older PCs.

HD typically has 4 screws holding in the chassis, very easy to remove. Dell has manuals online. If this is the correct T500 ( XPS ), http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/a...desktops/dimension-t_Owner's Manual_en-us.pdf

Old machines are also becoming collectible and maybe worth some $$$, especially if it is a complete system.

That's it. The primary drive mounts to the front with two screws. My instructions are off, too many steps.

 

[twestern]

I agree with Gauss. I purchased that same IDE/SATA to USB kit last month and it worked perfectly. I transferred the contents of 5 old hard drives (some 10 years old) onto a new much larger drive. It just took several hours but it worked perfectly.

 

[Amethyst]

I am so impressed by everyone's efforts to help. I even received some help offers via PM.

Yes, I used dial-up on the old machine, right up to 2008! The free dial-up service is still available, but I'm heeding everyone's warnings about modern malware, and won't attempt it. The photo files are almost 2GB and when I tried uploading via dial-up back in 08, the upload just kept crashing.

I did back up the files on zip drives until there got to be too many bytes And then the new PC wouldn't accept the old zip drives, nor would the library computers.

So, as you can see, I did try a lot of things before telling my woeful tale to the forum. I have been a bit afraid of removing the hard drive, but with the detailed instructions on this thread and on Youtube, I will attempt it.

And, I'll report back.

Amethyst

 

[jim584672]

If I remember right I think Win 98 Second Edition had better USB support. Maybe a thumb drive with a driver is what you need.

 

[NW-Bound]

If it were me, I would consider buying a USB 2.0 to SATA + IDE (2.5 / 3.5 / 5.25") Cable Adapter such as this: Amazon.com: USB 2.0 to SATA + IDE (2.5 / 3.5 / 5.25") Cable Adapter: Computers & Accessories for about $10.

I have had this type of USB-SATA-IDE adapter for years. Mine even came with a power adapter. Very handy in my toolbox. However, the OP has never opened her PC, and seems a bit unsure on how to proceed.

...The photo files are almost 2GB and when I tried uploading via dial-up back in 08, the upload just kept crashing.

I did back up the files on zip drives until there got to be too many bytes And then the new PC wouldn't accept the old zip drives, nor would the library computers.

2GB is very small nowadays. That data would rattle inside one of the new USB flash drives the size of your fingernail. And talk about ZIP, oh my! It reminds me of my parallel-port 100M Zip drive, which is still in a storage box in my closet. New computers do not even have a parallel port anymore. And I check to see if Win 7 even has a driver for it. Nope. It's just too painful to wait several minutes to transfer 100MB compared to using flash drives, so nobody bothers writing software for it. Darn. And the blank disks were expensive too.

And speaking of flash drives on Win 98, yes, unlike later Win versions, you would need USB flash drivers for it. The following post covers that.

Many people still use windows 98, I still have a PC with Win98 as well as ones with OS/2, DOS/Win3.1 and other OSs.

I still use floppies on the old PCs, Win98 did not come with mass storage drivers for USB but you can download one and install it, then the USB flash drive will work ( or an external USB HD ) I use them on windows 98 without issues.

Windows 98 USB Mass Storage Device Drivers...

 

[target2019]

I am so impressed by everyone's efforts to help. I even received some help offers via PM.

Yes, I used dial-up on the old machine, right up to 2008! The free dial-up service is still available, but I'm heeding everyone's warnings about modern malware, and won't attempt it. The photo files are almost 2GB and when I tried uploading via dial-up back in 08, the upload just kept crashing.

I did back up the files on zip drives until there got to be too many bytes And then the new PC wouldn't accept the old zip drives, nor would the library computers.

So, as you can see, I did try a lot of things before telling my woeful tale to the forum. I have been a bit afraid of removing the hard drive, but with the detailed instructions on this thread and on Youtube, I will attempt it.

And, I'll report back.

Amethyst

Expect the unexpected. A couple of things I recall from doing these type of recoveries.

After you do get the hard drive out, and place it in the USB external dock or cable--when your system first sees this drive there could be a couple of glitches:

- Your system might have a problem mounting the drive, as it could have disk or directory errors. Those can be dealt with, but expect a very long time for the OS to deal with that. Hopefully the drive is in good health and it will mount very quickly.
- Your Antivirus (Av) might be set to automatically check USB devices that are plugged in. If you plug in, drive mounts, and Av starts going at it, there is another delay as you wait for that to complete.

Everything can be dealt with, in time. Just have to be patient, and let the various tools do their job.

The one thing I'd be extra cautious about is virus and malware. If your Av system protection is up to date, and the features are on, you'll be protected. When you see the folder(s) you want, you can always right-click on those and perform another Av scan for additional safety.

Good luck with the project.

 

[alistair]

- Your system might have a problem mounting the drive, as it could have disk or directory errors. Those can be dealt with, but expect a very long time for the OS to deal with that. Hopefully the drive is in good health and it will mount very quickly.

If you're have hard drive problems (e.g. bad sectors, not reading, etc.) then you really should try spinrite by Gibson Research Corp. Works on any drive, regardless of OS/formatting. Can take some time, but is known to recover drives that your average IT department has given up on. It's not free, but well worth the money ($89).
[Note that I have nothing to do with GRC, just have seen spinrite work wonders.]

 

[gauss]

A word of advice:

You may wish to try to obtain a second hard drive first (3.5" harddrive with IDE interface) to get the process down before you try your drive with your valuable data. I typically do something like this when I am trying new tools that I am unfamiliar with and valuable data would be at risk otherwise.

You could find a drive like this on EBAY for less than $10.

Better to practice on a drive that you do not care about first....

-gauss