Hi, I'd like to transfer all of my data from a Windows 2000 operating system onto an external harddrive. If my W2k OS fails, I'd like to get a new computer with a newer operating system. Is it easy to transfer data from the external harddrive, which is formatted for W2k, to the new computer? Are there any external harddrives you would recommend? Thanks! -J

I'd stay clear of XP, but to answer the question, it should be straightforward to access data in XP. Be sure your data is not passworded or encrypted. And you may need to 'take ownership', preferably as administrator. ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

Win2K isn't a format or file system. Your machine is probably NTFS, which won't pose a problem when transferring data to another computer. Depending on where the data originally resided, you may need to take ownership, as Mechanix said. Life's more painless for the brainless.

If you are simply speaking of your personal files then you should have no problem with the exception jennifer mentions. A link below will explain how to take ownership. If you were thinking of copying everything to a new computer that isn't going to work. If you are going to trash the old computer you should be able to install the old drive into the new computer to access the personal files. No programs or Win2000 will work though.

Thanks for your input- so as I understand, if my computer dies and I have everything backed up onto an external harddrive, I will be able to access them even though they originally were on a Windows 2000 OS. Would I only be able to access them from another Windows computer or could I access them from an Apple? As far as ownership, do I need to declare the ownership of the files as administrator on the external harddrive? Is there a link that easily explains what's going on? Thanks so much for your comments! I've been trying to find other references online but this is so much better!

Sorry, forgot the link. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Mac OSX will usually read a drive formatted in windows. [but not vice-versa] ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2