Back Up Query

MathsParMathsPar New
edited August 2007 in Science & Tech
I'm moving my Hard Drive over to a new PC I'm building, if I back up all the hard drive onto an external hard drive would I be able to get the Windows XP and stuff on the original hard drive again after it's installed?

I'm guessing the answers no, I've never used backup software before but I assume it just saves programmes not operating systems. My original plan was just to save any files I wanted to an external hard drive then install a new OS onto my new build then drag the files back across later but my mum keeps nagging me to actually use backup software.

Comments

  • deicistdeicist Manchester, UK
    edited August 2007
    one way to do this would be to use a disk imaging program like Norton Ghost to make an image of your old hard drive, then write that image onto your new hard drive. You can then run a repair install on your 'new' installation which should fix your driver problems (since the new PC is unlikely to have the same motherboard etc as the old motherboard) while leaving all your settings, programs etc untouched. I've used this method myself in the past with some success, however I can't guarantee it'll work.

    There's also the Xp files and settings transfer wizard thing, which might be worth a look. Never used it myself though.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited August 2007
    The ghost/repair install method should work. The transfer wizard is a pain in the ass and for the most part pretty much requires you to reinstall every program anyway onto the new machine, it just prompts you as it's doing it and will bring over your old settings.

    Personally though I would suggest just doing a clean install and then copying off your data (documents, pics, music, etc...) Windows gets bogged down overtime and you collect crap along the way constantly. New machines are a fantastic time to get a fresh start. Then just reinstall programs as you actually need them. It's like spring cleaning for all the old clothes you have sitting around but never actually wear anymore.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited August 2007
    This might be a silly question but is it possible to move a hard drive from one computer to another without even formatting? Like will the hard drive just recognise all the nice new enhancements on the new PC and run fine after installing some drivers with all the OS and everything still on it?
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited August 2007
    MathsPar wrote:
    This might be a silly question but is it possible to move a hard drive from one computer to another without even formatting? Like will the hard drive just recognise all the nice new enhancements on the new PC and run fine after installing some drivers with all the OS and everything still on it?

    No. Modern OSs have to be installed onto the drive while it's connected to the MoBo it will be run with, at least.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited August 2007
    MathsPar wrote:
    This might be a silly question but is it possible to move a hard drive from one computer to another without even formatting? Like will the hard drive just recognise all the nice new enhancements on the new PC and run fine after installing some drivers with all the OS and everything still on it?


    CB is partially correct. Generally speaking you can't. However, you can some times pull it off depending on what your old hardware is and what the new hardware you are going to is. If they are based on the same or similar chipsets, even if they are different MOBO's you sometimes just do the flip. Usually though after moving it to get things going you'd have to do a repair install like Deicist mentioned in his post.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited August 2007
    "Usually though after moving it to get things going you'd have to do a repair install like Deicist mentioned in his post."

    Would I need an XP disc for this? The XP disc I currently have came on a recovery disc for my PC so don't know if it's specific to that motherboard.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited August 2007
    MathsPar wrote:
    "Usually though after moving it to get things going you'd have to do a repair install like Deicist mentioned in his post."

    Would I need an XP disc for this? The XP disc I currently have came on a recovery disc for my PC so don't know if it's specific to that motherboard.

    Yes you would need an XP Cd to do a repair install. Most recovery discs can't do repair installs and will only work on the hardware they were original shipped with.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited August 2007
    Hmm seems like I may need to buy a new OS then. Had a friend who could get Vista for me but think it's best to go legit.

    The normal price in UK seems £170 for Vista Premium but I found this,

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Vista-Premium-OEM/dp/B000MFDJ1A/ref=pd_bbs_9/026-6301654-5314026?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1187817198&sr=8-9

    Now I thought OEM is only what was given to manufacturers, would this work for me?

    If not I'm just going to buy XP again cause I'm not shelling out over £100 for Vista.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited August 2007
    Personally, I would still stick with XP, and the Vista OEM license won't allow you to install the OS once you change motherboards the first time.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited August 2007
    Somebody at Hexus said about the same, that it's one system only, so I ordered it earlier from Scan for £10 cheaper. Hopefully Microsoft will sort out all these Vista bugs I've been hearing about but I probably wont be changing my new PC at all for another 5 years (maybe RAM upgrades) so OEM suits me perfectly.
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