Vista - How do I transfer data from hard drive to new computer?

I went to Fry's to have my computer (HP Windows XP) looked at because it wouldn't turn on. I was told that my mother board was fried. So, I bought a new computer (HP pavillion with vista) and a hard drive enclosure and the guys at Fry's put my hard drive in it and told me that I would just need to hook it up, turn it on and drag and drop my files. I've tried that but it's not working. Could someone please take pitty on me and tell me how to do this. I've got very simple computer skills. I appreciate any and all advice!! Thanks in advance. Jen

Hi, Jen, and welcome to the forums.

First off, some info:

1. What was your old OS?
2. What OS are you running now?
3. What have you tried to do, and what happened when you tried that?
4. Have you gotten any error messages?

Make sure your user name and password on new computer are same as your old.

Turn on both devices before you connect via USB. Then wait for drivers to load.

If they don't load, you have to download drivers from manufacturer's website

good luck!

geezer10
do i understand i can tranfer files from my WP computer to my vista computer by just using a USB cable??

Why put it in an enclosure? Can you boot it in safe mode and a master drive.

hi nicki, and welcome,

the hd enclosure has the square usb connector, and your computer has the flat type.

so you can use a standard USB cable.

But to go to computer to computer (what is a WP computer?) you should first try the network, ie connect both computers to an ethernet switch (not with usb)

there are usb crossover cables (flat both ends) but I have not had much luck with them.

hope that makes some sense.

Hi try the easy method & purchase a belkin Easy transfer cable from PC World .Follow instructions, if you have big hard drives do over night .Worked for me very simple .