The last time I got a new computer 6 or 8 years ago it seemed like a real struggle and had to get my sister to even come help me, LOL.
I am getting off my old one (yes Andrew i know you could have built me a much better one). Mainly because of the XP thing. So I already have the new tower (8.1) and will be setting it up in a few weeks (painting the room the computer is in and waiting for new monitor to arrive).
I have bought a "Plugable" easy transfer cable which includes Easy Computer Synch software. That gets downloaded on to the XP computer and the 8.1 (new one) computer. So that should fix my up on getting music and pics on to the new computer.
So to back up a little, what will I need to do just to get the new one operating so I can download the software? I am happy enough using Outlook Express, the last time it seemed like a lot of hassle was prevented because my ISP had a CD which took care of everything except (IIRC)adding in my email address and password, so my email is downloaded more or less automatically. After that is when I feel I am "online" and can go to IE which takes me to my homepage. All pretty easy but getting the new one to do all this again is a little befuddling to me. ISP says they don't have those CDs like that anymore. Have things progressed to the point where really not much has to be done to get the new one to do all these complex things for me?

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

New Windows machines are simple as pie. The most user friendly computers ever made. Your monitor will practically plug itself in and the computer will recognize ALL your old programs and instantly find all your files, photos, music, everything and organize them so they're right at your fingertips. After that it'll make you a cocktail and rub your feet. It's true. I read it. Someplace.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

On the internet, I'll bet. That makes it true by definition.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

If it could be tricked into reinstalling every half hour that would be a fine deal

It was never really that hard.

If both computers have network access, I'd save the money for the network cable and just turn file sharing on the XP box on, copying files over WiFi. As far as mail, Windows 8 no longer has Outlook Express, but has the Mail applet (or for a more desktop-oriented experience, you can download Thunderbird). Either way, setup may be pretty much automatic if you know the email address and password. If it isn't, you can get the relevant settings from your Internet provider.

Or you can just move to your Internet provider's webmail and/or gmail like all of the cool kids. Though I still prefer dedicated email software to webmail, personally...

Lastly, for a tower/desktop, I'd STRONGLY prefer Windows 7 over Windows 8/8.1. The full-screen start menu and Metro(sexual) apps are pointless on a large desktop monitor. You can still order pre-built Windows 7 machines from Dell via their small-business web site, or from other makers like Asus.

Thanks. Well the tower is already here and I read (on the internet!) that 8.1 is the way to go, at least compared to 8. I'm not all that computer savvy, once it is set up I am good, and can handle minor problems, but setup is a bit of a challenge so that's why I'm asking.
I also like having the dedicated email software but don't really know why. I also have a gmail acct and also a yahoo acct. Didn't know outlook express was history, oh boy....

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Just use thunderbird and add your gmail and yahoo accounts and you'll have an "outlook esque" mail client

Computers have only really ever been difficult for those who don't understand them.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Just yank the hard drive from the old machine and put in the new one, presto...everything has been migrated.
Just don't boot from it. Unless you want to revisit XP...

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

One of Fallon's classic characters, Nick Burns

On the 8 machines I support I like to run:

Spybot Search & Destroy, run the immunizer thingy
Chrome or Firefox for internet browsing, and install Adblock.
MalWareBytes for scheduled scans.

Those three have kept all 8 fairly clean with almost no maintenance, and "normal users"(Hi Mom!) running them.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNy-7jv0XSc

Nah . . .

Mac PC Commercials

Just get an external hard disk to transfer your files with. You should have a backup anyway. And a backup to that backup. On XP most of your stuff will be in "documents and settings" and you will find your user folder in there. From there you can just copy and paste. Dont bother trying to transfer your programs over, get your docs/photos/etc.

Not sure with outlook express, but full outlook has a .pst file that will save all your emails/folders/calendars etc. This will be in appdata... which you will have to unhide and make visible. Might be a moot point since there is no outlook express for windows 8 anyway. You might be stuck using that mail app on the start screen.

8.1 isn't bad, you can set your PC to just boot to desktop instead of the tablet style interface.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

8.1 is still crap on a desktop, since you still are stuck with "Metrosexual" craplets that can't be run in windows, and a full-screen bag of fail that replaces your start menu. Fortunately, fixable with ModernMix and Start8.

Outlook Express doesn't use .psts. I think it used .dbx files that can be converted to .mbox files readable with Thunderbird fairly easily. I'd go with Thunderbird over the built-in mail craplet. It's free.