Transfer to new computer

Hi,

I am planning to buy a new computer. The old one is going to go to my father. I am very happy with my present operating system configuration and I don't want to install windows, all the drivers and my actual settings again. I have two hard disks. One has three partitions (C,F,G) , the other one doesn't have any partition (I). I am planning to transfer my second hard disk (I) to my new computer. I'll leave the first one (C,F,G) to my father (after formatting it). As my operating system is in drive C, I also want to copy all of the contents of C,F and G to a new harddisk. What is the best way to copy all of the content of a hard disk to a new one? I thougt about adding the new hard disk to my actual setup, using windows explorer to copy all the partitions (well, of course after creating the same partitions on the new drive). But I am not sure if I can add a new hard disk because I have 2 SATA disks, 1 DVD writer and one CD writer. Removing (I) may be a solution but I am not sure about it. I heard about Norton Ghost. Will it be helpful in my situation?
To summarize:
What is the best way to copy an entire harddisk's contents to be able to use the same software configuration.

Thanks...

 

I am confused. I think I understand your aims but wonder if you will not end up making more difficulty and work for yourself than you will save. You did not mention which version of Windows you have. You will also need to move the Windows sticker to the case of your new pc.

Firstly a straight answer to your question. You can not use windows explorer to achieve your aim. Copying files is not the same as disk imaging or 'cloning', which is the technique you require. Programs like Ghost are not really appropriate for your purpose and will cost as much as a new copy of Windows! You can get cheaper from ACRONIS (true image). Or you can download one of the cloning programs from MG, some are free.

Having said all that, you will find that these programs are meant to reload windows after a crash or to copy windows to a lager hard drive for upgrade purposes. Moving windows to a new pc altogether will certainly require loading many new drivers at the very best. Next you may have to perform a restore install of the windows to make the new pc run because it is so different. At worst Windows may simply refuse to run at all and if you do a clean install you will have to convince Microsoft at the Activation stage. You will also need to source these drivers.

It is actually quite dificult to buy pc without Windows these days; buying Windows included is much cheaper than buying Windows without a pc so you could save your father money that way and club together?

Hope this helps

Studio T

 

Hi studiot,

Thanks for your reply.

I have Windows XP Professional.

Some clarifications: I am not going to buy a branded PC. I'll buy the components and make one myself (I also did it for my actual PC). I'll buy a mainboard, a new CPU, a new graphics adapter, 2 Gigs of ram, and a 300 gb harddisk. I'll use my second harddisk (I), my sound card (X-Fi), my ADSL modem and my dvd writer from my actual computer. Before the cloning process I may uninstall the display adapter's drivers to reduce the incompatibility issues with the new card.I may also have to uninstall the mainboard's network adapter. I don't have any other hardware installed other than my printer and scanner, which I'll also use with my new computer. Do you think I may still have problems? In fact what I am trying to do is to make this process as close to a big update as possible (You have a PC and you want to upgrade its mainboard, CPU, graphics adapter and memory. Can't you do it all together?). You are right about Window's pricing but as I am not planning to buy a whole computer I don't have any other choice than buying a stand-alone version of Windows for my father. The sticker thing won't be a problem because I intend to use my actual case for my new computer. If it requires a reactivation, I think I can communicate with MS guys to solve this problem.

I hope I am able to describe what I want to achieve and I think it should be possible.

Thanks again...

 

Since you are merely repairing (ugrading) you computer (case) you should not have any problems with microsoft if you need reactivation, which you almost certainly will. Go for the telephone process it's a freephone number and explain you have upgrade your mobo etc. Do this BEFORE you move th hard drive on to your father i.e fit your new mobo, processor, ram, graphics etc and see what happens. Then clone the drive.

As regards your dad, as an OEM, which you will be officially, you qualify to buy OEM windows with a new mothrboard its much much cheaper that way. Get one with the new board and install it in your Dad's new pc which you will build out of your old mobo, processor etc.

Some people buy a mouse and build it into an new (OEM) pc by adding other components (an existing base unit). That is enough to qualify. It's just a question of lateral thinking.

You can of course follow you original plan, using the details already supplied. You will then have a period with no working pc.Remember if you have any problems during construction you can always post on Major Geeks.

Happy building

Studio T