Problems with moving to XP Pro?

[murph]

Hi all, I just got a new HD and full version XP Pro with SP2. Got the install done no problem. Slaved my old HD with win98se to the new HD, used the file transfer wizard and transferred everything that came up in the wizard. So happily I have my files and email etc.

BUT all of my programs are gone. Now I realized that some things would have to be reinstalled but I was hoping that I could copy stuff over too. i.e. my old HD came with 98se installed with frontpage, word, etc. I DON'T have the 98 or any other disks for anything that came with that old HD. I have a ton of stuff saved that I use frontpage to edit etc plus word documents and a pile of other stuff.

So with the old drive slaved to the new one is there ANY way to get those programs moved over to my new HD or do I actually have to go out and buy all those programs??

How about programs that I downloaded from the internet and I still have the exe files for on my old HD - is there a way to move that file over and reinstall the programs? Can you just copy and paste the file or something?

If I can't move Frontpage etc over, is there a way for me to still use them on my old HD? Would I actually have to boot to that HD everytime I wanted to use it?

Sorry for all the questions....I'm really lost here Also I am on ultra slow dialup so anything I have to re-download is a major to me as most programs literally take hours or even overnight to download. And don't say get high-speed lol....I live in the sticks and it's not available here

Thanks for any and all help

[wedor]

Where are the original disks with the programs? Why don't you have them? Which programs have you downloaded?

[murph]

Hi, the programs like Frontpage, Word etc came with the old computer (HD) when I bought it. The person did not give me the disks. This was years ago. Is there any way to still use these programs or do I have to buy all new?

[wedor]

Without the disks and codes you don't legally own any of it and you will not be able to re-install it.

On the older versions of Office you may be able to just click on the .exe and have it work.

What other downloded programs are you trying to run?

[glc]

Put the old 98 drive back in as the only drive - then install XP as an upgrade. Get it cleaned up and working right, then clone the drive to the new drive with Ghost or a drive mfr's utility. That's really your only option now.

[murph]

Thanks for the help. I booted to the slave and did a search for exe and install files and found most of the programs I needed/download, put them in a folder and then booted back to the XP drive and most installed fine.

So I am down to basically needing back frontpage and MS word. I did find that on the old hd all the files are there in a folder called ms office. There is an exe file in there called "unpack" - I think this is from windows95. If I try to unpack that in xp I just get an error message that it can't be done due to some file problem. Is there a way to use this "unpack" file and actually get it opened to install those programs again? Or are there downloadable updates for those? Anyone know? I didn't think it's illegal to own these? I bought the entire computer from the guy that owned/installed the programs, he just never gave me those disks.

Re upgrading and cloning. I know I can do this but I was told it's best to just to a clean full version install on a fresh drive. I have had a multitude of problems with 98 and me on this old hd and I'm sure there's tons of spy crap and viruses etc that I haven't found etc and didn't want to upgrade on top of that sort of stuff.

Thanks for the help

[Panama Red]

Don't know about the "unpack" file but just a reminder regarding the "spy crap and viruses etc" that you referenced. By browsing and opening and transferring files from the old disk to the new one, you may have invited some of those nasties to dine on the new hard drive. Before you do anything else I'd recommend a full system scan at Housecall as well as full scans with Adaware and Spybot. Include both drives in the scans to prevent further contamination.

[glc]

Unfortunately, the only way to reinstall Word and Frontpage is from the original media.

You can download Open Office free - it can open MS Word docs and save in Word .doc format - it's Excel and Powerpoint compatible too. You will probably have to buy Front Page, but it's not that expensive - and older versions may be out there in the used/surplus software market dirt cheap. You might be able to find an older version of MS Office too.