Can anyone help?

My old laptops HD crashed on me for the 2nd time in a year last Sept so I got myself a new one, the old one was running XP the new one runs Vista! Upstairs I have an old dinosaur desktop running Windows 98 with a cable connection to my internet router (and I still use this one more lol)

I can't access anything on my old laptop HD and would like to transfer some programmes I had on there that are also on the one running 98, can I do this with a cable from the old desktop to the new laptop? and can I transfer programs as well as FILES? Any help would be gratefully appreciated... I can't even network through my internet connection as I'd have to make a DISK from the old pc to do it (apparently?) but it doesn't even have a DVDRW just a CD player (thats how old the thing is) but I do need my accounting package desperately on my laptop (and my MS Office package which I have the disk for but the blooming key codes worn off of the case and I can't read it lol)

Also is there any way I can access the HD on old laptop, can't even GET windows screen up it just asks what mode to start in - waits a minute and then re-boots itself

Thanx

KathyYou can't transfer programs, you'll need to install them in the new computer. I suggest you contact Microsoft re: your Office disk. I believe it has a serial # ENGRAVED in tiny characters and Microsoft can give you the key code by getting that serial # from you.

To transfer files, I think your best option is probably an external enclosure to put your old laptop hard drive and then connect it to your new laptop via USB port. Here one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159091 I'm assuming your old laptop hard drive still works. If not, then then won't work.