First you need to analyze what needs to be transferred and what can actually be transferred. There are programs available to do it for you. Just search the web for transferring "XP to Vista" or "Vista to 7".

You need to understand that you cannot transfer programs. Only data. Programs must be reinstalled in the new computer using the original program CD's. In many cases, your old computer may have had programs supplied as pre-installed software and you don’t have separate CD’s. You new computer may not have the same programs and you may have to purchase new software. Examples are Microsoft Word, Hallmark Creatacard & Printmaster.

Now consider what can be transferred. This is a list of possible data to be needed on the new computer and the method of transfer.

These items can be copied to disk or transferred directly to the same location on the new computer:

These items cannot be transferred directly:

Once you decide what needs to be transferred, the question is how to do it.

Methods available are 1) Direct transfer, 2) floppies, 3) CD’s, 4) Zip Disk, 5) Save on Internet, 6) Jump drive) 7) Camera memory, 8) external drive

XP comes with a transfer utility. You can connect both computers with a special parallel or USB cable (both ends identical) and transfer directly. If you don't have or want to buy the special cable needed to do the direct transfer, you can just save the data on the old computer on a CD, zip disk or floppies and then just add them into the new computer. Obviously if you don't have a writable CD or a Zip drive, the next choice is floppies. The problem here is that some files may be too big to fit on a floppy or you may just have too many files requiring too many floppies. (Example: if you have 60 MB of data, you will need from 40 to 50 floppies!)

You can probably borrow a Zip drive from a friend. There are lots of them around. If the old computer does not have USB, be sure to get a parallel type Zip. If it has USB, you might consider getting an external drive and just add it to your new computer when done.

External CD writers have dropped in price drastically now that DVD writers are dropping in price. External USB Zip drives are really handy for regular backups. Much easier to use that writing CD’s and the 100 MB USB model sells for under $50 if you can find one. I even found a 250 MB model for under $50 on www.pricewatch.com and they read and write on the 100 disks which are cheaper than the 250’s.

If the old machine has USB, consider getting a jump drive. These are inexpensive. If you have a digital camera, the memory can be used to store files for transfer. Using a reader, memory slots in new printers or the camera, you can copy files from your old computer onto the memory and then copy them into the new computer. Depending on the amount of memory and amount of files you have, you may need to do the transfer in steps. If you have more memory than files, you can do it in one step. To do it in multiple steps, have both computers running. Copy files from the old computer to memory, switch to the new computer and move the files from memory to the new computer. Then repeat the process.

Another alternative is an external hard drive. They also have dropped in price and make a good addition to the new computer as well. If you have a Best Buy, Office Max, Office Depot, CompUSA or Fry’s Electronics in your area, check the Sunday ads.

After you have saved and transferred all the data and are convinced you no longer need the old computer, you can clean off the old computer a couple of ways. The easiest way is if you have a restore/recovery CD that came with it originally, just restore it to factory specs and all your data and personal information is destroyed.

CAUTION: BEFORE YOU WIPE OUT THE OLD COMPUTER, BE SURE YOU HAVE THE CD KEY NUMBER FOR THE VERSION OF WINDOWS YOU WILL REINSTALL. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS NUMBER THE COMPUTER MAY BECOME UNUSABLE. If you don't have the number, follow the instructions below to get it before you start.

YOU CAN GET THE CD KEY NUMBER FROM THE REGISTRY. Go to www.bear-it.com/regedit.html to learn how to access the registry. Then access this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, MICROSOFT, WINDOWS,CURRENT VERSION and highlight CURRENT VERSION. The CD key should be listed. There may be 2 numbers. If there is a 25 digit number in 5 segments of 5 each, that is the one to note.

An easier way is to download belarc advisor from www.belarc.com. Run it & it will list all your registration numbers. Save it and print it.

If you don't have the recovery CD, then you need to format the drive and reinstall 98 (assuming you have the 98 CD).

If this is not the case, then you need to uninstall any personal programs (genealogy, financial, etc.) using the Add/remove in Control Panel. Then delete all documents. Remove all references to your name in the registry and clean up all temporary files and delete all history. Then you need to remove any personal data in your e-mail program and Internet Explorer. You might want to search the hard drive for any file extensions that can carry personal information such as .doc, .jpg, .pst, .pwl. Also search for any personal or company name(s) that may be in the computer and delete them.

Sound like a big job? It is. Print out the chart below & look at all programs you use to determine if any data should be saved.