how to migrate everything to a new computer?

[siriusbliss]

I'm getting ready to buy a new laptop computer that has a 80Gig
harddrive vs. my current laptops' 40Gig.

I'm wondering what is the best, most thorough way to migrate my WHOLE
current drive contents over to the new PC? This would include drivers, etc.

My current laptop is running Win XP Pro SP1+, and the new machine will
be running WinXP Pro SP2.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm getting ready to buy a new laptop computer that has a 80Gig
harddrive vs. my current laptops' 40Gig.

I'm wondering what is the best, most thorough way to migrate my WHOLE
current drive contents over to the new PC? This would include
drivers, etc.

Unless the machines are otherwise identical, you may not be able to do this.

At the very least, you'd need a repair installation of Windows XP afterward,
and somnetimes that isn't enough, and a clean installation will be required.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm getting ready to buy a new laptop computer that has a 80Gig
harddrive vs. my current laptops' 40Gig.

I'm wondering what is the best, most thorough way to migrate my
WHOLE current drive contents over to the new PC? This would
include drivers, etc.
My current laptop is running Win XP Pro SP1+, and the new machine
will be running WinXP Pro SP2.

Migrating everything - including drivers, would *not* be the intelligent
thing to do since you said you are getting a whole new laptop. I doubt -
unless you found someone selling you or giving you an identical except for
hard drive size laptop - the same drivers will apply anyway.

You essentially (and to maintain your sanity) want to move your files and
folders only. You know where you save your stuff - burn it to CD/DVD or
when you get the new machine - hook them both up to the network and transfer
the files. Do not waste your time trying to ghost the old machine to the
new one just so you have the same look and feel without the effort. The new
machine has a whole service pack difference above the old - and that happens
to be one service pack that contains the most changes/enhancements that
Microsoft has ever put out. You'd be tainiting your new machine if you
attempted to transfer "everything".

Your applications - reinstall them from the installation media.
Your files and folder - copy them (somehow - external media source, network,
usb connection, etc) over to your new profile.
Your look and feel - redo it.

You'll be happier and learn more about the system so you stay that way than
with any other method out there.
Embrace the change - especially when it is one for the better.

 

[M Irusalimsky, MCSA]

one's you get your new laptop, you can use Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard. Reffer to the following link
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/mgrtfset.mspx

 

[siriusbliss]

Thanks everybody for the reply, input and suggestions.

I would be migrating/transferring over to a raw WinXP Pro install PRIOR
to updating to SP2.

I'll read up on the Files and Settings Transfer to see if there are any
issues with the different harddrive size issue and possible
driver/registry issues.

Most likely I will do fresh installations of the most critical
applications after updating to SP2.

Thanks,

Greg

*****

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Thanks everybody for the reply, input and suggestions.

I would be migrating/transferring over to a raw WinXP Pro install
PRIOR to updating to SP2.

I'll read up on the Files and Settings Transfer to see if there are
any issues with the different harddrive size issue and possible
driver/registry issues.

Most likely I will do fresh installations of the most critical
applications after updating to SP2.

From what you just said - I think you are not understanding what the F.A.S.T
wizard actually does. =)

If I am misunderstanding - my apologies.

If you plan on using F.A.S.T. (Files and Settings Transfer Wizard) to move
your files and settings to the new computer - you should know you will
likely have to use the installation CD that comes with the newer computer
(Windows XP SP2 integrated hopefully) to run the wizard FROM. This is
because of differences that *do* exists in SP1 and SP2 F.A.S.T. - making a
export from SP1, import to SP2 without using a common F.A.S.T. utility (ie:
the CD version) an impossibility.

Also - the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard will ONLY transfer your Files
and Settings. No applications - and only possibly their settings. And you
have to have those applications already installed or when you install them
after transferring your Files and Settings - it will overwrite them with
defaults.

Now - if you meant, "I will be making an image of my old laptop with
Symantec Ghost or Acronis TrueImage, applying that image to the new laptop,
performing a repair installation with my old SP1 integrated Windows XP CD,
installing SP2 and all other patches and then cleaning things up.." - that's
a different story all together and may not even work.

 

[siriusbliss]

From what you just said - I think you are not understanding what the F.A.S.T
wizard actually does. =)

If I am misunderstanding - my apologies.

If you plan on using F.A.S.T. (Files and Settings Transfer Wizard) to move
your files and settings to the new computer - you should know you will
likely have to use the installation CD that comes with the newer computer
(Windows XP SP2 integrated hopefully) to run the wizard FROM. This is
because of differences that *do* exists in SP1 and SP2 F.A.S.T. - making a
export from SP1, import to SP2 without using a common F.A.S.T. utility (ie:
the CD version) an impossibility.

Also - the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard will ONLY transfer your Files
and Settings. No applications - and only possibly their settings. And you
have to have those applications already installed or when you install them
after transferring your Files and Settings - it will overwrite them with
defaults.

Now - if you meant, "I will be making an image of my old laptop with
Symantec Ghost or Acronis TrueImage, applying that image to the new laptop,
performing a repair installation with my old SP1 integrated Windows XP CD,
installing SP2 and all other patches and then cleaning things up.." - that's
a different story all together and may not even work.

Thanks Shenan,

It's getting clearer to me now after reading the FAST website that I'll
probably be doing things manually.

I only have my original pre-SP1 WinXP Pro installation CD.

My other consideration WAS to load an image from Acronis and try the
repair option, but I was hesitant due to the potential issues that would
arise.

Thanks again,

Greg