How to transfer 'image' from old to new laptop ?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by akm, Aug 22, 2007.

  1. akm

    akm Sergeant

    Just purchased a new laptop (Dell Latitude D830 with XPpro) and am trying to decide how best to transfer the data and software (configurations, etc) files from my old laptop (Dell Inspiron 8200).

    Have so far loaded the main licensed software (bare bones, ie no configuration files from old laptop) like Microsoft (MS) Office 2003 from the original MS CDs to the D830.

    Still have a lot of related data and other non-MS software (eg licensed shareware, freeware, Adobe Acrobat, etc) to transfer.

    Have been using an uncompressed backup program (Karens Replicator) and also have 'imaged' the old laptop hard-drive with Acronis True Image 10.0 to an external hard-drive.

    Suggestions, any other things to 'look out' for, etc ?
     
  2. jimmy_iz_god

    jimmy_iz_god Private E-2

    not really... you will more than likely have to install all your programs again, however if your old laptop is XP, then you could try 'fasting' it to get all your settings, my docs, desktop preferences, favourites etc etc transfered to the new laptop.
    start, programs, accessories, system tools, file & settings transfer.
    just follow the guides after that, its pretty basic
     
  3. akm

    akm Sergeant

    What is "'fasting' it" ?
     
  4. jimmy_iz_god

    jimmy_iz_god Private E-2

    A 'FAST" stands for "files and settings transfer'
    it is unique to windows xp and basically transfers all your internet & desktop settings (favourites, dialup connections, desktop settings etc) as well as your my docs, email and a few other things into one big file.
    once this is done you run the FAST program on the new computer, point it to the file & it will import all those settings & files
     
  5. akm

    akm Sergeant

    Thanks much for the feedback.
    Tried the 'old' laptop (with XPpro) FAST process to 'collect' files to a Maxtor external HD.
    Took literally all day to 'collect' the files .
    The folder created was named USMT2.UNC, and the (6) files in it were named IMG00001, IMG00002, IMG00003, IMG00004, and IMG00005 ('DAT Files') at about 2GB each, and, a ' status' file at about 1GB.
    When tried to use the 'new' laptop (with XPpro) FAST to get files from the USMT2.UNC folder at the EHD, it gave an error message "the location that you specified does not contain stored information. Please type a valid folder path into the edit box."
    Ideas ???
     
  6. akm

    akm Sergeant

    PS: Guess 'worst case' (?) is 're-image' the new computer from an Acronis True Image 10.0 EHD backup of the 'old' laptop (all of the main MicroSoft programs, Office 2003 etc, have been installed from the original licensed CDs onto the 'new' laptop) ???
     
  7. akm

    akm Sergeant

    PS-2: PS: Just got off phone with Dell support and it seems like there may be a problem between versions of the 'FAST Wizard', so am using the 'new' laptop XPpro CD to re-run (for another 8hrs+ :) ) on the 'old' laptop to see if running off of same disk (same FAST Wizard version) will work. Stay tuned. :)
     
  8. jimmy_iz_god

    jimmy_iz_god Private E-2

    lol that sucks dude.
    good luck.
    i havn't heard of different FAST versions though.
    frankly, i wouldnt bother doing that if its too much trouble. its probably just easier to manually move everything, export your emails then import them on your new laptop, copy your favourites etc etc.

    Up to you though.
     
  9. akm

    akm Sergeant

    Thanks again for the reply.
    Well, it appears the Dell guy was right (or at least his MicroSoft info was accurate), apparantly there are different versions FAST, this time it worked with only 3-4hrs to 'collect' and 'transfer'.
    But now am thinking about using 'Acronis True Image' to transfer (image) additional data and files that didnt seem to get done with the FAST process.
    Think will do a little checking on the ATL forum b4 go to crazy.
    Thoughts ???
     

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