Did the deed, Bought a new computer--but, like the head--didn't tell the wife

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I've bought a new computer, got the advice and leadership of the Company IT guys, but like shaving I didn't tell the wife.  My hope is to be able to intercept the UPS delivery, and get the boxes into my library before I tell her that I also am switching from dial up and get that work done too, kids gone, their telephone line is toasted--[yes there are some of us out there] to DSL.  That is going to be another hurdle.  If I can still operate a keyboard after the fact when she finds out that I went directly against her ideas on this--leaning on my sly experience--how TF do I transfer all the old Sh_t from the current Dell, circa 2000, to the new machine, a HP P6277c?  Instructions in baby steps please, I might be seriously physically impaired after "She Who Must Be Obeyed" finds out.  I've been told to use "OpenWord" or "OpenOffice", but I want to be able to work seamless from my work 2007 Office enviornment.  Oh, and anyone have any ideas on transfering my WordPerfect8 address book--I really like WP8, but, I realize it's a Bill Gates world and I don't want to reenter more than 300 addresses--I still have one daughter to marry off--and unless she accepts a white ladder to elope with a big bribe, I have another wedding to do.
I'm in deep sh*t, I thought I could get her a little more "receptive" at the Derby party, but she decides, she's going to be careful w/ the Jullipes this year, why this year Lord, why this year??

[Razor X]

I had the shop where I bought my PC copy my old hard drive over to the new one so I can't help you there.

Isn't DSL more or less obsolete now?  A cable modem will be faster.

[Sgt. Pate]

I just upgraded from DSL (1.1Mbps) to Uverse (6.0Mbps) for $5.00 more a month!    If it's available it's pretty darn nice.  A friend just got Cable and he's running 7Mbps.
DSL is going the way of dial up!  

So... what's the PC you're getting?  Can I have it if the wife kills you? 

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Well, in New Orleans we have Cox Cable--lousy company.  After Katrina, we get back electricity at the house, cable running--everything is okay. 
Two days later they disconnect everyone--system needs "repair".  Well more than three months later they finally are back up.  They're undependable, over priced and under serviced.  We've got DishTV now.  I will never put my fate in the hands of Cox again.  So it's DSL or the satillite.  That's why I chose it. 

[Mikekoz13]

Dude!!! Be a Man dammit!!!! Tell her it is what it is and if she doesn't like it, tough sh*t.............




...and then beg for forgiveness.................

[Gambrinus]

I just upgraded from DSL (1.1Mbps) to Uverse (6.0Mbps) for $5.00 more a month!    If it's available it's pretty darn nice.  A friend just got Cable and he's running 7Mbps.
DSL is going the way of dial up!  

So... what's the PC you're getting?  Can I have it if the wife kills you? 

Not to rub salt in the wound, but my cable modem is rated at 20 Mbps and clocks at 19.2 Mbps 

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Dude!!! Be a Man dammit!!!! Tell her it is what it is and if she doesn't like it, tough sh*t.............




...and then beg for forgiveness.................

Yeah, I think that's how it's going to have to be.  Then, once I can move my arms again, I worry about how to hook it up.  I wonder what hospital I'll be in next week?

[CraftyGuy]

Dude!!! Be a Man dammit!!!! Tell her it is what it is and if she doesn't like it, tough sh*t.............




...and then beg for forgiveness.................

[marcx]

Yikes--I hope it deosn't go too badly for you!

What Operating system is the new system? If it is windows 7 64 bit a lot of the old software will not run on it...(Just got a new PC myself and made the leep from XP to Windos 7)...

AS far as transfering stuff I am assuming yuou do not have any external hardrive? If not that you can either put the data on a dc, dvd ofr flash drive to move it over, or upload it to some virtual storage space....

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Yikes--I hope it deosn't go too badly for you!

What Operating system is the new system? If it is windows 7 64 bit a lot of the old software will not run on it...(Just got a new PC myself and made the leep from XP to Windos 7)...

AS far as transfering stuff I am assuming yuou do not have any external hardrive? If not that you can either put the data on a dc, dvd ofr flash drive to move it over, or upload it to some virtual storage space....

Oh, most of my software is so old anyway 2000.  I knew that would be Kaput--I would love to see if it will operate my WordPerfect8--it's so easy to use.  Word, especially 2007 is an exercise in torture, as is Excell 2007.    It is Windows 7 64 bit--whatever bits are?

I was sort of hoping I could connect the old computer and access the stuff as an external drive--is that real or am I totally in space?  i guess I could go get a flash drive--a biggiy and move stuff--what a pain. 

Getting DSL & changing the phone lines took forever--no wonder ATT is flatfooted whoever organized the sales force really blew it, no one call number at all.  But, it's that or Cox Cable & I am never going to be at that bunch of morons' mercy ever again. 

[BReady]

If the new computer has an IDE controller (big white plugs for the harddrives) in stead of SATA (small black plugs)... pull the harddrive out, switch the dipswitches to "autoselect," plug it into the secondary cable and the HDD should mount.  Then you could either keep it on there as another hardrive to store stuff in, or drag whatever you want onto the new computer.

OR... get one of those IDE to USB converters.  I have a couple of these at work and they work great.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

OR... get one of those IDE to USB converters.  I have a couple of these at work and they work great.

Do they sell those at Office Depot, etc. or is that a special order business?

[Tyler]

OR... get one of those IDE to USB converters.  I have a couple of these at work and they work great.

Do they sell those at Office Depot, etc. or is that a special order business?

You can get one at Radio Shack or Best Buy.  Rocketfish makes the one that I use - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+Hard+Drive+Enclosure+Kit+for+3.5%22+SATA+Hard+Drives/8800639.p?id=1206141490782&skuId=8800639&st=enclosure&cp=1&lp=15

[BReady]

Saintc,

You can get the enclosures, like Tyler suggested or get the adapter only.  Just go to Bestbuy, Fryes, Radioshack or whatever and tell them, "I need an IDE to USB adapter."

Easy to use, it will mount just like a USB memory stick.

[BReady]

I am guessing since it's a computer made in 2000, it will not be SATA, it will be IDE.  To be sure, bring the hard drive with you and tell them you what to "connect this harddrive to your usb port on your new computer."  Any half competent sales guy will know what you need.