[Wayno2k8]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a new system shortly and would like some advice on the best way to change my operating system over and also all my programs and other stuff(video's,files etc) in my documents. I have done a back up of the whole system using Karens replicator but it never seems to back up all my avi's and other important stuff so I do that manually(copy and paste lol). So pretty much everything is backed up on that external drive, its only I have never changed over an operating system and I assume that you would have to delete your existing one before you can install and register the same one although I maybe wrong, any help would be appecciated. Thank you all.

[Albert Lionheart]

If you have XP then there is a files and settings transfer wizard - go to
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Files and Settings Transfer Wizard - just follow instructions!
At least you will be able to keep the old system running while you check you have captured everything!

[Wayno2k8]

Hi Albert, Yes I am running XP pro. How does that work does it just transfer everything to a backup ahrd drive or simple transfer everything via usb or something?

[Albert Lionheart]

It will transfer to almost anything - best to use an external drive that the system will recognise automatically so that when you reconnect it to the new build it will run without installing drivers.
When I am doing this I just copy the following:

My Documents
Email folders
Email Profiles
Email address book
Favourites

Anything else is best reinstalled fresh for the new build.
hope this helps!

[Wayno2k8]

Ok so your saying its best to do a fresh install of my XP, will my xp install onto a new system even though I havent uninstalled the existing one from my old system? Wont I have to enter the product key to the xp which will be recognized as already being used by my old machine?

Obviously I will have to update xp as there will be alot of updates needed. As for programs I have on my old comp, can I just copy those onto my external drive and install them from there or do I need to download and install all them fresh from the net? Pretty much everything in My docs I will transfer just by simply using copy and paste, I know this way maybe more time consuming but I know this way and I dont wanna risk losing anything. I'll use the transfer wizard for everything else email, favourites.

[Albert Lionheart]

Correct - and you do not have to activate XP with Microsoft at once so you can run the two in parallel for a while. Strictly speaking you are not supposed to do this!

All programs will have to be reinstalled onto the new system, and all your windows updates will have to be rerun as well.
You can cherry pick to some degree with the transfer wizard - best run that first just in case it misses something you need!

Cheers

[Wayno2k8]

So if I already have run a back up with Karens Replicator and also copied anything that was missing from the original back up as well, so absolutely nothing is missing on my external drive compared to my C: drive then I should still run the transfer wizard just to make sure that indeed everything is ready????

[Albert Lionheart]

If you are content that the backups have captured everything then I would not bother with the wizard. In any event, from what you have said you will still have the old system available (or at least the hard drive) should you find something didn't make it across.

[Wayno2k8]

Yep no need to make a backup of a backup lol

[Albert Lionheart]

Well - did you put your weekend to good use??