ftp between computers on lan

I've just been brought a computer to "fix".

It's a p3, 128MB ram running W98se with 6GB hdd, 4.48GB unused.
Problems were unspecified other than the browsers (IE & firefox)
didn't work. There was no firewall or AV software. I loaded AVG and
some instances of Startpage virus were found and healed but firefox
is not visible when launched despite showing up in task manager.

As this computer is only used for e-mail, browsing and writing
word.docs I cannot see an option other than a re install as the pc is
worthless and too small for XP.

So before I do my normal removal of hard drive to extract the "my
documents" folder prior to the re install is there a simple way to ftp
the folder to my pc running xp via the adsl router, without altering
the network configurations?

Is there anything else I should back up that is outside the "my
documents". I'll have to assume she has the M$ office disk somewhere
otherwise she'll have to cope with openoffice.

AJH

(E-Mail Removed) declared for all the world to hear...
> I've just been brought a computer to "fix".
>
> It's a p3, 128MB ram running W98se with 6GB hdd, 4.48GB unused.
> Problems were unspecified other than the browsers (IE & firefox)
> didn't work. There was no firewall or AV software. I loaded AVG and
> some instances of Startpage virus were found and healed but firefox
> is not visible when launched despite showing up in task manager.
>
> As this computer is only used for e-mail, browsing and writing
> word.docs I cannot see an option other than a re install as the pc is
> worthless and too small for XP.
>
> So before I do my normal removal of hard drive to extract the "my
> documents" folder prior to the re install is there a simple way to ftp
> the folder to my pc running xp via the adsl router, without altering
> the network configurations?

I think you're over complicating things a bit here. Plug in the machine
to your LAN, make it on the same workgroup as your XP machine, share the
C: and copy away. Just make sure that the duff box is set to obtain IP
by DHCP (if you use DHCP on your home LAN that is). You don't need to
use FTP, just go to "my network places" on the XP machine and the shares
will show up after a minute or two.

> Is there anything else I should back up that is outside the "my
> documents". I'll have to assume she has the M$ office disk somewhere
> otherwise she'll have to cope with openoffice.

Maybe run a product key grabber to extract the office product key, then
re--install a downloaded copy using her valid key to register? I would
also pull out favourites and cookies.
--
Regards
Jon

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:33:38 +0100, (E-Mail Removed) mused:

>I've just been brought a computer to "fix".
>
>It's a p3, 128MB ram running W98se with 6GB hdd, 4.48GB unused.
>Problems were unspecified other than the browsers (IE & firefox)
>didn't work. There was no firewall or AV software. I loaded AVG and
>some instances of Startpage virus were found and healed but firefox
>is not visible when launched despite showing up in task manager.
>
>As this computer is only used for e-mail, browsing and writing
>word.docs I cannot see an option other than a re install as the pc is
>worthless and too small for XP.
>
I'd try a bit harder to get it working first. Uninstall all the crap
that has invaribaly been installed, toolbars, games, free utilities
etc..., get some spyware\adware cleaners on it (like AdAware SE and
SpyWareBlaster) and uninstall\reinstall IE and Firefox.

I hate reinstalling W98, it's not quite as automated as I like things
to be and usually you have a nightmare of a time finding drivers again
for everything that doesn't work, IME anyway.

>So before I do my normal removal of hard drive to extract the "my
>documents" folder prior to the re install is there a simple way to ftp
>the folder to my pc running xp via the adsl router, without altering
>the network configurations?
>
As mentioned, this is way too over complicated, I do as Alex suggests
and just share the C: drive on the network and copy relevant files to
the server as and when required.

>Is there anything else I should back up that is outside the "my
>documents". I'll have to assume she has the M$ office disk somewhere
>otherwise she'll have to cope with openoffice.
>
Depends on what they want back, if you do do a reinstall ask them if
they have everything set just how they want it or if most of it's
unused crap. If they want it to work how it did then keep the OE
settings and favourites and bookmarks from IE\Firefox.

I'd try and get them to use Firefox personally, and ditch IE
altogether on theis machine if possible.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:01:05 +0100, Lurch
<(E-Mail Removed)> mused:

>I do as Alex suggests

Or Jon, I get confused easily, it's my age I think.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:48:47 +0100, Jon <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I think you're over complicating things a bit here. Plug in the machine
>to your LAN, make it on the same workgroup as your XP machine, share the
>C: and copy away. Just make sure that the duff box is set to obtain IP
>by DHCP (if you use DHCP on your home LAN that is). You don't need to
>use FTP, just go to "my network places" on the XP machine and the shares
>will show up after a minute or two.

I wanted to avoid this as I've had trouble finding how to share a
drive on W98. I thought ftp might be a simple command from IE.
>
>> Is there anything else I should back up that is outside the "my
>> documents". I'll have to assume she has the M$ office disk somewhere
>> otherwise she'll have to cope with openoffice.
>
>Maybe run a product key grabber to extract the office product key, then
>re--install a downloaded copy using her valid key to register?

Any pointers to a free one?

>I would
>also pull out favourites and cookies.

I suspect that's where here problems arose from, visiting a dodgy
website so I won't keep these.

Thanks

AJH

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:01:05 +0100, Lurch
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'd try a bit harder to get it working first. Uninstall all the crap
>that has invaribaly been installed, toolbars, games, free utilities
>etc..., get some spyware\adware cleaners on it (like AdAware SE and
>SpyWareBlaster) and uninstall\reinstall IE and Firefox.

There's actually little on it, I put the firefox on some months ago to
wean her off IE and outlook express. Which reminds me how do I back up
outlook express e-mails?

>I'd try and get them to use Firefox personally, and ditch IE
>altogether on theis machine if possible.

I didn't know you could ditch IE6 completely??

Anyway I did try to move her to firefox but some sites still won't
work with it (waitrose home delivery being one she uses).

Thanks for your help.

AJH

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 12:24:20 +0100, (E-Mail Removed) mused:

>On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:01:05 +0100, Lurch
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>I'd try a bit harder to get it working first. Uninstall all the crap
>>that has invaribaly been installed, toolbars, games, free utilities
>>etc..., get some spyware\adware cleaners on it (like AdAware SE and
>>SpyWareBlaster) and uninstall\reinstall IE and Firefox.
>
>There's actually little on it, I put the firefox on some months ago to
>wean her off IE and outlook express. Which reminds me how do I back up
>outlook express e-mails?
>
Firefox won't replace OE, you need Thunderbird for that.

I can never remember exactly how to back up OE mails, best bet is
Google it, works for me every time. Use words like export, transfer
and user profiles as well rather than just backup if you don't get it
at first.

>>I'd try and get them to use Firefox personally, and ditch IE
>>altogether on theis machine if possible.
>
>I didn't know you could ditch IE6 completely??
>
Well, not ditch it completely as such because it is still used for
Windows Explorer and other things. You can unsinstall it, which
basically reoves most of the shortcuts, whcih you can do yourself
anyway.

>Anyway I did try to move her to firefox but some sites still won't
>work with it (waitrose home delivery being one she uses).
>
My view on that is that if it doesn't work with Firefox then they
clearly don't want her custom.
--
Regards,
Stuart.

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, felt he had
to say
> On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:48:47 +0100, Jon <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
> >I think you're over complicating things a bit here. Plug in the machine
> >to your LAN, make it on the same workgroup as your XP machine, share the
> >C: and copy away. Just make sure that the duff box is set to obtain IP
> >by DHCP (if you use DHCP on your home LAN that is). You don't need to
> >use FTP, just go to "my network places" on the XP machine and the shares
> >will show up after a minute or two.
>
> I wanted to avoid this as I've had trouble finding how to share a
> drive on W98. I thought ftp might be a simple command from IE.

Fuck me, if you can't even work out how to enable the simplest file
sharing that there is in the computing world, what chance do you have
of re-installing the OS?

Give the computer back and tell the owner to take it to someone
competent.

--
Conor

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 12:58:03 +0100, Lurch
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Firefox won't replace OE, you need Thunderbird for that.

Yes, I added that too but you can take a horse to water....

>
>>Anyway I did try to move her to firefox but some sites still won't
>>work with it (waitrose home delivery being one she uses).
>>
>My view on that is that if it doesn't work with Firefox then they
>clearly don't want her custom.

It's the view I take also but people are used to it. In her case she
has a laptop with OE and IE on it so wants the same on each.

In fact because she will not be secure in what she browses or opens
and her use is so basic I'm sure a linux distro would fill her needs
but she won't have that.

I think a missing vserver.vxd file is what is causing me difficulties
with the networking.

AJH

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:48:47 +0100, Jon <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

<snipped>
>
>Maybe run a product key grabber to extract the office product key, then
>re--install a downloaded copy using her valid key to register? I would
>also pull out favourites and cookies.

Look at Belarc Advisor (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html)
which will list all sorts, including Product keys.

HTH