How to Migrate to new Hardware

[Lyn]

OK, I've had my current PC long enough that it's time to
get a new one. However, I don't want to re-install all
the software that is on my current machine. In the past,
with Win98 I was able to use Norton Ghost to copy my old
partition to my new hardware, boot into Safe Mode, remove
all the drivers in Device Manager, and then boot in normal
mode and Win98 would re-detect and load the proper drivers
for the new hardware.

Is the same true for WinXP? Or is there a migration tool
I can use to move my existing XP installation from one PC
to another? And recommendations would be welcome.

 

[Ron Martell]

OK, I've had my current PC long enough that it's time to
get a new one. However, I don't want to re-install all
the software that is on my current machine. In the past,
with Win98 I was able to use Norton Ghost to copy my old
partition to my new hardware, boot into Safe Mode, remove
all the drivers in Device Manager, and then boot in normal
mode and Win98 would re-detect and load the proper drivers
for the new hardware.

Is the same true for WinXP? Or is there a migration tool
I can use to move my existing XP installation from one PC
to another? And recommendations would be welcome.

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard included with Windows XP
facilitates the transfer of user data files and configuration
settings, but not installed applications, from an old computer to a
new computer.

Is your current PC also running Windows XP? And are you planning on
transferring the Windows XP License from the old computer to the new
one? If the answer is yes to both questions, and if your Windows XP
is a retail (not OEM) version then you probably can do pretty much the
same thing as you did with Windows 98, with some changes.

Copy the existing partition to the new hard drive using Ghost. The
boot the computer with the Windows XP CDROM and do a "repair install"
as per the instructions at
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
That will preserve your installed applications, user data files, and
all configuration settings. However all repeat all Windows Updates
will have to be reinstalled, and if your Windows XP CD does not have
Service Pack 1 integrated into it then you will have to take
precautions to prevent your computer from immediately getting infected
with the Blaster virus and its variants.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Kelly]

Welcome back, Ron!!! <hugs>

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Hey Ron, welcome back!! I'll leave the hugs to Kelly, but will definitely offer a handshake <G>