There are several software products, some even come with new pcs, that enable you to copy files and even programs  over various types of  cable connections - parallel, crossover, etc.  I don't recall the names exactly, I think  PcCopy is one, Laplink/PcMover I think is another.  I'm pretty sure one or the other allows copying files and not the entire drive.   I have found that some older pcs will not support the usb drives - I have a 900mhz HP celeron with WIN98SE that will not support a Sandisk usb drive - drivers won't install and/or the computer freezes.  
Depending on how large/many files there are, files can be emailed as attachments (painful).  The hard drive from the old computer can be removed and added to the new one as a slave.  Files can then be copied thru windows explorer.   Some new computers only support SATA hard drives, most older computer are ATA/PATA, so you would have to attach the hard drive thru an extrnal usb hard drive setup or purchase an ATA pci card that would allow the hard drive to function inside the new computer.  Just some other options.
Paul Hachmeyer

----- Original Message -----
From: Sybilgal <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, August 7, 2007 11:01 am
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] transferring files
To: [log in to unmask]

> Hello all, 
> 
> My mother just purchased a new Dell, and wants to remove some of the
> documents from her OLD hard drive to her new.
> 
> We had purchased PC to PC (I think that's what it's called) but 
> it won't
> allow you to selectively copy documents.
> 
> What options do we have as far as removing some files from the 
> old hard
> drive to the new?
> 
> Thank you for your help, 
> 
> Kathleen LaValley

            Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to
                    Digest mode - visit our web site:
                   http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml