How do I transfer pics from old laptop to new one?

[0987]

I went to two stores thinking I'd just buy a CD and copy them onto the CD. But, staff at the store recommended memory sticks, memory drives and other devices ranging in cost to the very expensive.

Someone suggested that I just email them to myself, but I don't want them hiding out in email.  I want to be able to use the browse function on many sites to find and upload my pics to those sites (like on Myspace and Ebay).

I just want the easiest and cheapest way to have access to all my pictures.  THey're on a 6yr old laptop with XP, whereas my new one has Vista (in case that matters).

[patio]

Burning them to CD for use on either machine is the easiest solution...
There are also file sharing/storage sites you could upload them to as well...but for safekeeping i'd recommend burning them so you at least have a hard copy case anything goes awry.

[zodiacmaster]

Or if you do not have a burning software buy a flash drive wal-mart sells them cheap and they are easy to use I got on for less than 20 bucks and I transfer pics from computer to computer for my sons computer .

[cruisin702]

Has anyone tried transfer cables?

[t_blake07]

Has anyone tried transfer cables?

Hey I got this insane idea just now... Transfer Cables!!!   

Easy as 1 2 3. Might be more expensive than a CD, but a lot easier and i'm sure you'll need it again in the future.

[0987]

First of all, I apologize for taking so long to update and respond. 

Second, thank you all for the great ideas and solutions!
After I read what everyone said, I took a look online for the cables mentioned.  WalMart and Target had them, but I thought it would be quicker to just buy in a store.  However, I just couldn't find a store that had them in-store.  I was just about to order them, but  turned on my old computer and, lo and behold, it appears to have passed away in it's sleep while waiting for me to make a decision. 

I'm not entirely sure it's dead. I've read a couple of other threads regarding the same problems.  I know of people who've had long delays and expensive service at Geek Squad, but I went there anyway.  I stood in line with three other people, then the line grew, and no one ever came out from behind the wall to help us, so I went to a smaller place.  A guy there suggested I get a hard drive enclosure at another store because they didn't carry any.  He didn't know my computer isn't fully booting.
So, I went back to Best Buys, but theirs was $50 and he said I shouldn't pay more than $20.  I then went to Fry's (I"d never been and had been wondering what it was) and found several different ones for $15, so I bought one.  Only problem now is figuring out whether I should even open it and bother trying since I think the computer has crashed. 
I think I need a pute-savvy housemate. Anyone want a cheap room? 

[patio]

In the enclosure the drive will just show up as an external HDD in Windows Explorer if hooked up to a working machine...
And...you should be able to access all the data on that drive.
A common misconception is that Windows needs to be working on a drive in order to get the data...not so.

PS how does the one you bought connect ? ?

[0987]

hmmmm....well.......I'm wondering that myself. 
I haven't opened it yet, but on the back is a boxed in area titled "how it works".  There are pictures going left to right.  The first is a black rectangle labeled "IDE drives (not included)" then an arrow pointing to the right, then a black rectangle not labeled which I assume is the enclosure, then another arrow pointing to the words "notebook" on top and "PC" on the bottom. 
I sure hope the directions inside are less vague than that. 

Are you thinking I've gotten the wrong item?  Or maybe should have bought something along with it? 

[patio]

Post the item Name and model #...sounds like a laptop drive enclosure...you can tell this by how big the package is without opening it...

[0987]

  It's a Sabrent 2.5" IDE hard drive enclosure, high speed USB 2.0 to IDE, ITEM:SBT-EKUU25, 8821800051.
 And yes, I am trying to transfer from laptop to laptop.

[patio]

That will work...
Does it have an A/C adapter that powers it ?
If noty...no big deal...

[0987]

the box contains the hard drive enclosure, a USB cable, and a screw set.  No power cord.

[patio]

It'll work.
2 things you need to remember:
1) Use the "Safely Remove icon in the tray when disconnecting the drive otherwise you risk data loss...
2) In Device manager right clik all your USB Hubs and under Power de-select "let windows turn power off for this device"...

[0987]

2). done
1.)  I don't think I know which is the "safely remove" icon, or which tray it's in.   

[patio]

Green arrow in the System Tray = the Taskbar on the right by the time; running background apps etc.

Pics Here  although they're small you will notice it.