Verified answer

Copy your My Documents folder to an external hard drive and them move them to the new computer.

One option, use Easy Transfer from Vista (old machine) to the HP (new machine) with both on the same network and a password that Windows will generate for you. There is a special USB cable that will let you hook the two together to do the same thing, if you don't have a network at your house.

Same thing can be done with an external hard drive large enough to hold the entire Easy Transfer file or a DVD, CD, or flash drive - but it will take longer unless you have few files & settings to transfer or a HUGE flash drive.

Second option, copy the files that you want to transfer onto any media that you have on hand and then copy them off that media onto the new laptop.

Third option, pay somebody to do it.

It's not hard - it just takes TIME to do the transfer, no matter what method you pick.

You can use an external hard drive, flash drive, burn them to DVD etc.

The fastest way (for actual copying) is to have both computers connected over your local network. Plug them both into your router and share the folder on your old computer where the documents are located. It will then be visible to the new computer and you'd be able to copy them.

If you don't have a rouuter or switch, you'd need a crossover cable to connect them directly.

If you wanted to transfer EVERYTHING (files, installed software etc) then you could use a program like Laplink's PCMover. It's not fast compared to just copying the specific files you need, but it's a complete migration.

http://www.laplink.com/

easier to just get a USB Flash Drive and copy your files using that. an 8GB one is about $15 at walmart, and you can find larger for less on eBay.

if you want to use an ethernet cable, you would either need to connect them to the same router and enable file sharing on both, or use a crossover ethernet cable and connect them together.