Upgrade Mandrake 7.0 To 2009

Hi,

Now I use Mandrake 7.0(Air)
Kernel 2.2.14-15mdk
on a 400Mhz AMD K6-2 with 127 Mb Ram

There is a software I need to use on it but I fear the computer might not work sooner or later.

So I want to use that software on a better computer

And I want to make a backup with the USB port because the only backup the software allow is a zip that doesn't work anymore.

But I think that those who installed the software made a way that nobody can upgrade the operating system, use USB ports... other than their own zip.

So I thought, If I upgrade, it keeps everything: users, software...

And I can use the USB Port to make backups

Then I tried to upgrade Mandrake 7.0 to 2009
but it doesn't work.

there is a message :

An error occured
mkinitrd failed: (mkinitrd -v -f /boot/initrd-2.2.14-15mdk.img --if needed 2.2.14-15mdk)

Is there anyway I can upgrade manually or fix that error?

I already tried to install Mandrake 2009 on another hard drive, but I don't know how to transfer the software, and all the users

Thank you very much
Best regards.

I think your task is nearly impossible. You would like to bridge a gap of at least 5 years in Linux! You can only do a fresh install. It is better to try to install the required software on a newer version.

I forgot to say that there is no new software because they closed already

Impossible missions are in my blood.

I'm willing to do it

But I need help on how to do it
Even little things might help

Thank you.

Which software is it?
Have you tried to install it under Mandriva 2009?