How can I network with an old computer?

[MicWayWal]

I retired an old Windows NT Server from my business in 2006. I thought I went through the hard drives and took everything off, but on a check before I threw it away I found a lot of files that I want to archive.
How can I network this server with my Vista PC on my current network, so I can easily move the files off the server?

Particulars:
This server used to be my network admin and image server for my network. It has multiple hard drives, most are in a RAID5 configuration that appearers as one hard drive. Although I connect it wired to my network, it does not see my current computers (no surprise) but the odd thing is my current computers do not 'see' the server.
It does NOT have a CD or DVD burner. It does have a USB but it is the old kind and I don't think the current flash drives will work on it.

My current network setup: From my cable modem, I have a network linksys wireless hub that has all my PCs and laptops networked together.

[photosteve]

Make sure all are in the same work group so they can see each other. In addition, yes new usbs can see old ones there backwards compatible.


PhotoSteve

[Flea77]

NT Server eh? Well first off that probably is not a workgroup, more like a domain, a little different. Next, your USB on the NT machine is probably 1.1 instead of 2.0 so it will be very slow and many USB drives on older OSs require special drivers which I would bet are not made.

Vista may still "see" the server by making sure everyone has a IP address on the same subnet. Assuming the NT server is set up as the Primary Domain Controller it will not be DHCP, this means it will have a static IP address assigned that may not be in the same subnet as your home network and therefor no one will see anyone else.

Allan

[prncfarquad]

I bought a USB to SATA/IDE and keep it around the office for file transfers. I bet frys or some other local shop carries something like this. Pull the old drive, plug it in to this device and pull the files I need.

I don't know what is on the drive but when I retire a computer the hard drive stays with me and/or is destroyed. way too much customer info on them to allow out into the public. and way to many ways to get information off of drives even after formatting.

[TXAvi8tor]

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

I bought a USB to SATA/IDE and keep it around the office for file transfers. I bet frys or some other local shop carries something like this. Pull the old drive, plug it in to this device and pull the files I need.

Typically, I agree completely. You're not messing around with domains, workgroups, subnets, authenticating, etc. But RAID 5 stripes the data & parity information across multiple drives - AFAIK, you're locked into mounting the array. Slow as USB 1.1 is, I'd still consider plugging in a USB drive & copying files - if NT sees the USB ports. XXcopy (free for personal use) is my tool of choice cause it's capable and highly reliable.

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

I don't know what is on the drive but when I retire a computer the hard drive stays with me and/or is destroyed. way too much customer info on them to allow out into the public. and way to many ways to get information off of drives even after formatting.

Many low-cost / free programs wipe drives beyond any hope of reasonable recovery. CCleaner, formerly Crap Cleaner, does DoD5220.22-M, NSA, and Gutman drive wiping. If someone wants your customer database after one of these, they're gonna have to work for it.