It is likely unwise to even attempt to transfer the programs from your "antique 300mhz ... Windows 98SE" pc.
Programs are tested with the operating systems available at the time of their creation.  As time passes, newer
operating systems attempt to avoid being compatible with ancient operating systems.  No offense meant, BUT in
computer years, anything before Windows XP is to be considered somewhat out of date.  You'll notice that
Microsoft recently released an upgrade (SP3) service pack three for Windows XP but has released no
upgrades for Windows 9x (95, 98, Me) for many years.  Often software must be installed on a computer
rather than simply copied over.  Many older setup programs will fail to successfully install older software
products on newer operating systems.

Using e-mail to transfer your photos and older e-mails that you wish to keep is working for you
and probably the simplist way.

USB works much better under the newer operating systems.  Anything you might want to buy should
be current with your new computer otherwise you are buying stuff to throw away.

You might try some of the external drive products from Western Digital (http://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=5).

I bought some black 160GB drives at a relatively low cost at Costco but WD writes:
     "Western Digital only supplies Windows 98 SE drivers for the Silver WD Passport portable hard drive
      If you have a black or colored WD Passport portable hard drive, you will not be able to install the drive under Windows 98 
SE.".

Mary, if you can live with your current method of transfer, it will probably be the least painful although
the most time consuming.  The good news is that once you have what you need on your new computer,
as long as you then back it up, you'll only have to suffer through the transfer once.

This may also be a good time for you to scrap some of the photos, e-mails, and other files that
you may never ever look at in the future unless you have some very good reason to keep them.

regards, gerry

vegan gerry lowry
wasaga beach ontario canada 

      "Hold No Punches.." Rode brings you great shareware/freeware
        programs with his honest opinions in this weekly column.
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