Teh n00b- Dell replacing my 8200 with either an 8600 or 9100, best way to tx data from lappy to lappy?

[Hayabusa Rider]

Like it says.

Old unit functions on AC power, so I can hook up a crossover cable, but I dont want to wipe new programs off the drive yet have data files all over the place. How best can I do this?

 

[TitanDiddly]

Search eBay for "laptop hard drive adaprt*r", which will turn up a ton of auctions for a device which will basically let you mount your lappy hard drive in your desktop(different pin count+spacing). Just pop the old one in as a slave, copy your files to your desktop, then pop the new one in and transfer to it.