File and settings transfer with only an external backup available?

[Guest]

My old computer won't boot at all. I'll be looking into why when I can but
for now I need to get my new computer up and running. I've got a mirror copy
of my old computer's hard drive on an external backup hard drive.

1. Is there a way to make the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to use the
external backup drive as the 'old computer'? I can't find anything on how to
do this.

2. If not, is there a way to find the settings on my backup (i.e., are
there specific files that have that info, and if so, what file extensions are
they?) for Windows XP. I'd like to get as much of my settings transfered
instead of spending days to get the computer just the way the five people in
my family want each of their accounts!

3. I can find the files I want to move, that won't be a problem. And I've
got access to moving e-mail specifically.

4. I'd used Retrospect Express for backing up the old computer. I haven't
re-loaded that onto the new computer yet. Is anyone familiar with this
program and would it do a lot of what I'm asking? I'm honestly not familiar
with it - just enough to get the weekly backups going - and wasn't too
impressed with it anyway.

Thanks for any help, I have had no luck finding any posts pertaining to this
particular situation, which I found interesting as the only time I buy a new
computer is when it's so messed up it won't start

Eric

 

[Guest]

A mirrored copy works great if one wants to transfer to a diffrent hd,
but expecting it to function on a diffrent board as a boot drive,forget it.
Why not just get the new computer running,boot to xp cd,install xp,you
can use file transfer wizard once xp is up and running.