My new IMAC 20

My problem with the old PC is that the monitor does not show my desktop when the computer loads.....so I can not burn cd's becasue I am blind as far as the old computer is concerned.....that's why I was hoping I could go directly from one machine to another.....sadly the old system is only 18 months old......I'll make note of your help...I really appreciate your help.

Thanks!

B1

it might be impossible to configure it as part as a network, even as an FTP-server. That leaves only the option to mount the hard disk in the Mac. But I really can't tell you if a Mac would be able to read a Windows XP NTFS formatted disk; maybe go to the Mac forum for that question. I don't even know if the electronics is compatible.

Moreover: if the desktop doesn't come up, it's quite possible it won't work in a network either (if there's a virus causing the trouble), as suggested by Jackson Dougless. That's certainly information that you should have told in your top level post.

The best thing might be to get your old PC up and running again. You're not clear at all about what's wrong with it (could be a broken video card as well as virus having taken over the desktop, for all we know, but I think the last is more likely). Then a clean install of Windows XP might be all that needs to be done to have access to your files at least. So much easier indeed if you can see what you do.

I'm not telling you that a switch to a Mac is a bad idea. I'm neutral in that respect. All I'm saying is that it might be worthwhile to get the old PC in a workable state. And, depending on the cause of the problem and on the system specs, you should be able to sell it secondhand then for anything in the USD 200 (basic PC) to USD 800 (top PC) range. You don't want to throw that money away, would you?

Kees

I'm pretty careful about running ad-aware and spy-bot and resgistry cleaners on a regular basis....so I'm tempted to say it is not a virus but might be as you said a problem with the video card....when I just tried to boot the old PC it goes to a system recovery and then just stays there scrolling the blue dots across the screen and doing nothing....

I usually keep my computer on at all times....I decided to turn it off the other day and encountered this problem.....

maybe removing the HD and doing what Robert Proffitt suggested and placing it in an enclosure of its own and plug it into the IMAC as an external HD may be the way to go.....I just would like an easier procedure to follow....

Thanks again.....

And you end with a external hard disk that's very well suited for backing up your iMac data. Although it will fail some day (and you don't know when) so it's not a good idea to have data ONLY on that device and not also on the Mac.

Kees

Thanks jackson, but getting access to view what's on my old PC would make all of your help work without flaw, but by being blinded on the old PC it limits my ability to work from the crossover cable....I do not know the number (admin) of my old PC, so I'm foiled again....

I would like to make this transition on my own without involving someone else (like a computer store) charging me at least $100 US for the transfer I thought I'd be able to do on my own....maybe not.

I really apreciate your help...any other thoughts, please let me know......

That would seem to be about your only option if using the old system is hindered in some way.

Any 3.5" external USB enclosure should do the trick just fine. You pull the hard drive out of the HP, put it in the enclosure, plug the enclosure into the Mac... A few seconds later you'll see a new icon appear on the desktop of the Mac, which will be the contents of your HP drive. Then you just copy them over to wherever you want them on the Mac's drive.

Thanks Jackson...that may be my only way to access the info....never having been inside a computer before, (I am pretty good at fixing things) is it a difficult procedure?

If you know how to use a screwdriver, you're pretty much good to go. Just remember to touch something metal to discharge any static electricity before digging around in the case, and then not to walk around on shag carpet or anything like that while holding the drive.

For me, the hardest part about working on HP systems is figuring out how the get the bloody case open to begin with, and finding where they hid all the screws so you can get at things.

I'll go with the enclosure...thanks to all who responded.

Thanks for going the extra mile.....I love the new computer, but still on the learning curve with the new machine....I am going with the external case for the HD....keeping my fingers crossed....going to attempt it this weekend....wish me luck! Thanks again....

iMacs use laptop parts for heat and space reasons, so a 3.5" desktop IDE drive would never fit in an iMac that is only 2" thick (and that's only the 20" models).

With some creative engineering you might be able to get it to work by leaving part of the case off... But in my experiences with the latest style iMacs, they weren't designed to come apart without a serious fight.

I'm going with your original advice and making the HD an external device, and will place it into the enclosure....just hope it works after I've been into my old computer and removed it and installed it in its new home!!

If you have a blow by blow description of how I should proceed, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for all your help.