Vista - Transferring files from XP to Vista

I've been using WindowsXP on an Inspiron510m but had serious overheating problems. Dell supplied a 1525 (free of charge as comp for the 510 burning me!)running Vista. All I want to do is transfer files from the 510m to 1525. I cannot and Dell have told me to hire a technician. Is it that complicated? I've tried hard wire connection, wireless..nada !

Concede that I am end user but I can follow instructions.

By the way and to vent my spleen........if I buy a car why should I have to learn the workings of the internal combustion engine...that's what MSoft expect from their products. MSoft products remind me of 1960's cars...unreliable, limited life, and a knowledge of every aspect from brakes to engine timing were essential to avoid garage bills.

Hello jack, welcomr to the vista forums,

vista comes supplied with the Windows Easy Transfer application

this is a wizard interface so is self guiding.

What you will need to do is connect the two computers for this to work.

If you can post back and let us know if you have and existing network or are starting from scratch it will enable us to assist you further.

Recently transfering files myself and found the easiest way was transfering everything onto an external HDD via USB then on to new computer. Probably a bit to simplistic for what you're wanting to do but it worked for me. Any files that were not compatible because of the x64 architecture, Vista put up a notice. Some office files required updated software but everything else worked fine as long as I had the x64 relevant program for vista.

God does that make sense to anyone.

Cheers VB