Migrate copy of XP from one system to another

[Ron Hinds]

I just built a new computer and wish to install XP Pro on it. I have a
legitimate copy of XP Pro installed on another machine. I intend to wipe
that machine's hard drive and install Windows Server 2003 Web Edition on it.
I will then install the copy of XP Pro currently in use on that machine to
my new machine. I remember reading somewhere that there is a process/utility
for accomplishing this. Can anyone point me to it? Thanks!

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I just built a new computer and wish to install XP Pro on it.
I have a legitimate copy of XP Pro installed on another machine.
I intend to wipe that machine's hard drive and install Windows
Server 2003 Web Edition on it. I will then install the copy of
XP Pro currently in use on that machine to my new machine.
I remember reading somewhere that there is a process/utility
for accomplishing this. Can anyone point me to it? Thanks!

The process is called "cloning". You want to clone your
old HD's contents onto your new HD. The cheap way:
Go to the website of your HD manufacturer and download
its cloning utility. The un-cheap way: Get/buy a copy of
Symantec's Ghost or Acronis's True Image or Future
Systems Solutions' Casper. The frustrating way: Use MS's
XCopy plus a zillion option flags. Then do a Google search
in the "microsoft.public.windowsxp.*" newsgroups for
"clone cloning hard drive HD" for details. You'll have to
re-activate the newly-cloned OS because it will see the new
underlying hardware, but that's not a problem.

*TimDaniels*

 

[DL]

You'll aslo have to run a repair install to correctly identify the new hw,
otherwise its unlikely to boot

 

[Ron Hinds]

Hi guys and thanks for the responses but I don't think you understand what I
want to do. I want to start over with a fresh install, but use my existing
licensed copy of XP Pro. It's sort of like when you move into a new place
and want to throw out a bunch of old junk you have accumulated in the old
place ;-). Basically what I want to migrate is the activation. I've done
this before at work and I seem to recall MS had a utility you run on the
existing system, it gives you a code of some sort, then you enter that code
on the new system to activate it. But I can't seem to find in on their site.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

[Jim]

Hi guys and thanks for the responses but I don't think you understand what
I
want to do. I want to start over with a fresh install, but use my existing
licensed copy of XP Pro. It's sort of like when you move into a new place
and want to throw out a bunch of old junk you have accumulated in the old
place ;-). Basically what I want to migrate is the activation. I've done
this before at work and I seem to recall MS had a utility you run on the
existing system, it gives you a code of some sort, then you enter that
code
on the new system to activate it. But I can't seem to find in on their
site.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Not exactly.
However, what you can do is install XP on the new computer with your XP CD.
Once that is done, you must install drivers for such things as the display,
printers, etc.
Then you will need to activate the new computer. You do this via the
telephone, and
be sure to mention that you have removed XP from your old computer

If you don't have an XP CD, I think you are out of luck because even after
cloning, you
will still need to perform a repair installation.
Jim

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Basically what I want to migrate is the activation.

Assuming that several months have passed since
you last activated your WinXP OS (4 months is the
time span according to folklore), the new activation can
be performed over the Internet, just like the 1st activation.
If the span of time has been less than 4 months (or so),
you'll just have to call Microsoft and explain that you're
doing a re-installation. It's all quite perfunctory either
way.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Ron Hinds]

Assuming that several months have passed since
you last activated your WinXP OS (4 months is the
time span according to folklore), the new activation can
be performed over the Internet, just like the 1st activation.
If the span of time has been less than 4 months (or so),
you'll just have to call Microsoft and explain that you're
doing a re-installation. It's all quite perfunctory either
way.

*TimDaniels*

Thank you!

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Thank you!

You're welcome. Go in peace and live well, my son.


*TimDaniels*