Hi. My husband bought a new PC two years ago (Windows XP, I think) and for reasons I won't go into here, it's still in the box. Meanwhile we've both been using my 8-yr-old system that runs on Windows 98.

We're finally going to join the new millennium and ditch dial-up. I want to connect the "new" system at the same time. However, I have a real block/fear when it comes to copying/moving all those years worth of files, photos, etc. from the old system to the new.

My question: are there cables available that would allow me to connect the keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer to BOTH towers? Until I get up the nerve and spend the time moving everything, we could use the new system for the most part but still have access to the old when necessary.

If all else fails I know I can just place the towers side by side in an easy-to-get-to-spot, and plug into one or the other as needed, but it would be much easier to be connected to both and just power-up whichever one we'd be using.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Hello,

There is a cable that will allow you to connect two systems to the same keyboard mouse and monitor, http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=...802&doy=4m4

However, you might consider buying an external hard drive, you can use it to copy files to the external hard drive, then copy from the external hard drive over to the new system. this will mean that you have a permanent copy if either machine is damaged.

Hope this helps

Thanks very much, Alan. So, using an external drive would take the place of copying/moving files via CDs? Appreciate your help.

Cindy

Yes thats correct,
the external hard drive in this situation would be used to copy all your files for example pictures music and so on, on to the external hard drive. once they are there, you can simply unplug the external hard drive and plug it into another computer, once it is recognized as an external hard drive you can cut or copy files off the external hard drive and on to the new computer. I would recommend copying as then you will have a back up of all your files if either of the computers are damaged.

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/...HNQZXJQYWdlPSY= is a site that sells computer parts, at good prices.

Hope this helps

If you're going to use a KVM switch, the computers will HAVE to be resonably close together. Check the cable lengths If you want them in separate rooms you need a router, either wireless or hard-wired. With both computers connected to the router via network cards, both machines can be on the internet and with printer and file sharing enabled both use whats on the other machine
Mark