If your old one crashed, chances are that it was the hard drive. The new e-machine has a migration program factory installed and files can be transferred by way of a USB cable, IF, IF the hard drive on the old machine is still running and it will boot up in any mode. The only way the type of connection would matter is if you intended to open the new machine and plug in the old hard drive. BAD IDEA! If the old machine crash was caused by a faulty HD why wouldn’t it crash the new machine?
Better idea if the hard drive is suspect, have a tech or savy friend attempt to download from old HD. There are companies who specialize in recovering lost data but they are super expensive and usually cost much more than the actual value of your old files. Why is it that everybody agrees you should back up everything but few do?
One last thought, if the hard drive from the old puter still runs, buy a 3.5″ usb hard drive enclosure (about $20.00) and the hard drive plugs in (standard ribbon connections) and the external HD connects to your new unit via USB and is recognized as a removable drive (like a flash drive) then you could move files to new unit or keep it attached for additional memory. If the old HD runs, that’s the way to go.
LOL

This adapter will convert your PATA (IDE) drive to SATA connectors.

The new one is SATA. The old one is IDE. You could buy an external enclosure for the old one. The processor in your new one is garbage dude. we can help you find an upgrade when you want to. here are the specs…

CPU: AMD Sempron™ LE-1250 single-core processor
(2.2GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 1600MHz system bus)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic with SP11
Chipset: NVIDIA® GeForce® 6100
Memory: 1024MB 667MHz DDR2 dual-channel memory (1 × 1024MB)
Expandable to 2GB
2 DDR2 slots total, 1 DDR2 slots available
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA II (7200rpm, 8MB cache)2
Optical Drives: 16x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive
Up to 8.5GB with dual-layer media
Write max: 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD±RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x CD-R, 40x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM, 48x CD-ROM, 8x DVD-ROM DL
Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® 6100 integrated graphics
Up to 128MB shared video memory
PCI Express (PCIe x8) slot available for upgrade
Sound: 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Communications: 56K ITU v.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
Peripherals: Multifunction keyboard
2-button wheel mouse (PS/2)
Amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)
Ports/Other: 6 - USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear)
1 - VGA
1 - Parallel port
1 - Serial port
2 - PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse)
3 - Audio (rear): line-in/side (stereo), front/headphone (stereo), microphone
2 - Audio (front): microphone, front/headphone (stereo)
1 - RJ-45 Ethernet port
1 - RJ-11 modem port
Dimensions: 14.5″H x 7.2″W x 16.1″D3
Weight: 21.5 lbs4 (system unit only)
Warranty: 1-year parts and labor limited warranty5
Software:

* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic with SP11
* Productivity Software
o Microsoft Works® 9.0
o Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day complimentary trial period)6
o Adobe® Reader
* Digital Media Software
o Vista® integrated DVD playback with 6-channel audio
o CyberLink® Power2Go™ (DVD burn)
o Napster music service (30-day trial)7
* Connectivity/Utilities
o Microsoft Internet Explorer
o AOL® 9.0 (90-day risk-free offer)8
o NetZero Internet access9
o Google Toolbar™ search bar and Google Desktop Search™ search tool
o eMachines® Connect™
* eMachines® Comprehensive Security
o Norton Internet Security™ (60-day live updates)10
o BigFix®: helps identify and solve problems
* Game Software
o eMachines® Games Powered by: WildTangent® (preinstalled with 10 demo games with 60 minutes of game play)11

but a connector that lets you plug your old hard drive into your new computer, for around 20 dollars on

most of the new motherboards with a SATA drive connector, also have a DVD or CD or both, so you can use one of these ribbons to connect the old hard drive.

Then you can just move files at your convenience. You might (often not necessary) have to enable the other hard drive in the BIOS setup (the prompt when you first start the PC. But likely it will already be there. Once it installs in the BIOS, windows will automatically mount the drive.