Kenny writes:
How can I move/remove data/pictures/emails from a WinMe PC to a Win 7 PC using either a wired network, USB or Ethernet cable? I have been unable to network the WinMe to the Win7 PC.
This is a bit of an odd one, because what Kenny is attempting to do is connect an MS-DOS based Windows (WinME was the final Windows using MS-DOS as the actual OS) over the network to a Windows 7 machine.
First I’ll list the easy way, then the hard way.
In all honesty, the easiest thing to do here is sneakernet it, as in buy a USB flash drive in 8GB flavor, copy all the files to be moved off the ME computer to it, then take that stick to the Win7 box and copy them there.
What Windows Vista and 7 introduced was a higher-security method of networking. If going from a Vista/7 box to another Vista/7 box, the higher security allows both computers to connect easily. However if connecting an edition of WinXP or lower to Win7, you will have to “degrade” the security in order to make network sharing connections work on a LAN, as in lower the network encryption to 40/56 bit. And you may possibly have to make like-to-like usernameson both computers.
This web page explains how to connect a Win98 box (very similar to ME) to Win7 for network sharing. You’ll notice that there is not simply one solution, so I can’t say “Do A, then B then C and it will work”. When you’re trying to troubleshoot network problems from a 10+ year old DOS-based Windows to Win7, the standard mechanic’s answer applies here. “Could be anything.”
It’s not that you can’t get shared folders working in older-to-newer Windows, but if trying to get files off a PC running WinME, which is guaranteed to be a crusty old computer box, the sneakernet method will get the job done much quicker and with far more stability.
The stability I’m referring to is the fact that DOS-based network file transfers are not exactly stable at times. Anyone who has ever transferred a large amount of data from a DOS computer box over a LAN knows exactly what I’m talking about. Files are copied but you have no idea whether what arrived on the other side kept the file integrity in check or got completely “chewed up” during the transfer.
Win2000, WinXP and so on are “true” Windows as they have no MS-DOS network weirdness going on. When in the DOS world however, you’re pressing your luck.
At least when you use a USB stick, copy files there and unmount it properly, you know the files held their integrity when transferred from HDD to USB.
On a final note, I do not recommend connecting a USB stick larger than 8GB to an MS-DOS based Windows like ’98 or ME. While true there is no limitation to how large of a storage capacity either of those environments will recognize for flash drives (seriously, Win98 will recognize a 16GB stick as long as the file system is FAT or FAT32), you run the risk BSODs when using them in DOS-based Windows. Remember, in 2000 at the time WinME was released, the average hard drive size in most computers was less than 10GB (usually way less). While WinME works with USB 2.0 sticks without any problems at all, remember that at the core you are dealing with DOS in that environment. Treat it as such.
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