File and Settings Transfer conundrum

Hello All -

I recently purchased a new computer from Dell. In the 'build' process I didn't have a floppy drive included because I haven't used a floppy disk for more than four years for anything other than to mark a place in an encyclopedia. It's still there, btw.

Now I find myself needing a floppy drive if for no other reason than to make a "Wizard Disk" to accomplish the transfer of files and settings from the old box to the new one. I wish I'd spent the $30 for the drive now because the frustration level has already topped the $500 mark.

Questions: Is the information that needs to be put on the floppy disk unique to each computer on the planet or is there somewhere I can download it? I've been told that I can do the transfer with a USB cable instead of my home network. When I asked "How?" all I got for the effort was a very blank stare.

So here I sit, prepared to do all of this the "loo-o-o-ng hard way ", but wanting to do it with the Transfer feature in XP and not knowing how I can accomplish it without a $.15 floppy disk. As always, any and all help will be greatly appreciated. TIA

Mike

 

Thank you for the posts, Steve and Arie. As usual, WindowsBBS has saved my bacon again. I guess I was just making a simple task harder than it needed to be.

The transfer was made in about 30 minutes from start to finish and the network is now complete. Thanks again.

Mike