Number 250 - March 2004

Configuring a New PC
excerpted from Fred Langa's Jan 29 & Feb 2, 2004 columns
Restoring An Image To A Different PC...    Reader Bill Ramsey asked:    "...Do you think I would be causing myself any problems if I simply loaded an image of my current XP drive on a formatted new drive? I still want two hard drives but I certainly no longer need 98SE.    Fred Responded:    "Restoring an image works best when there are no hardware changes at all. In fact, this is how most software vendors set up new PCs on an assembly line: Any number of identical PCs can be set up from one master image, copied over and over onto successive PCs.    "So if you were replacing one system with an identical new unit, then yes, you could move the image from one to the other. Minor differences also might be OK: If all you're doing is changing the hard drive inside a system, then yes, you can restore the image from the old hard drive to the new. In both cases, you might have to re-activate your software, but that would probably just be a minor speed bump.    "Things get dicier when you introduce many or major hardware changes. Restoring an image of one PC's setup to a completely different PC might work to a point, in that the PC might boot and run, but things would not be optimal.    "I actually did this as a test a long time ago, when I was first experimenting with disk imaging. I wanted to test a worst-case scenario, so I tried restoring a disk image from machine "A" to machine "B" which was totally different (different vendor, different cpu and speed, different hard drive, video, etc.).    "To Windows' credit, it worked: When the operating system woke up, it saw that the hardware was different and launched the "Found New Hardware" wizard, installing what it could on its own and asking for driver disks or CDs for the rest. When it was done, Windows was operating: I could access my files and use the system. The test convinced me of the value of imaging even in the worst possible circumstances--you can indeed restore Windows even to a totally different PC, and regain at least basic access to your data.    "But the resulting setup was far from optimal, and suitable for emergency use only. ... the registry and file system contained many items left over from the first system--useless baggage carried over from the previous setup. So this kind of move can be OK to try in extreme circumstances such as when your PC is trashed, lost in a fire or to theft, or otherwise unavailable. Then, you can restore an image to a new PC, and at least get your files back. But the less alike the two systems are, the messier the final setup will be. So: I wouldn't recommend trying to reuse one system's image for setting up a new system. There's a better way for that. See next item. And Transferring Files To A New PC    "In setting up new system files, it helps to break things down conceptually into two major parts: the files for the system itself, and your user files and preferences.    "The former really should be done from scratch because it involves drivers for the motherboard, video card, modem, network card, and so on. These vary from PC to PC. Likewise, setting up your major applications is usually best done from scratch so they'll be properly matched to the OS, file system, user name, etc., on the new system.    "But your own files--your documents, spreadsheets, photos, email, etc--are much easier to transport, and usually can be done in a flash.	Likewise, many personal preferences also can be copied from PC to PC safely and easily.    "For example, in older versions of Windows, you often can lift the full contents of the "My Documents" folder, including all subfolders, and drop it all into the "My Documents" folder on the new PC, simple as that. You can do this by cable, network, disk to disk, CD or even by floppy. (Of course, if you've placed your personal files someplace other than "My Documents," you need to copy them from where ever they are.) You can do the same thing with your Cookies, Favorites, History, and similar folders.    "But XP makes it even easier via the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard." The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard helps you move your data files and personal settings from your old computer to your new one, without having to go through much of the same configuration you did with your old computer. For example, you can take your personal display properties, folder and taskbar options, and Internet browser and mail settings from your old computer and place them on the new one. The wizard will also move specific files or entire folders, such as My Documents, My Pictures, and Favorites....    "To open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.    "I'm usually suspicious of "Wizard" applications, but this one seems to work pretty well: I recently used it to move my files from my old PC to my new one, and the Wizard did everything I asked it to.    "Either way--manually or via a Wizard--when you're done, you should end up with your old familiar files on a new, freshly-set up PC. The final result is much cleaner than trying to restore the complete old setup onto a new PC, and helps ensure that your new PC gets of to the best possible start. Tools To Transfer Files And Settings    "... there are other tools available, and ... readers were eager to share their favorites. This one got more references than any other by far.    "Here's a representative letter:    "...I have been using a product called PC Relocator Ultra from www.alohabob.com for several months now, and it works great! The only caveat is that you must be moving to the same or newer version of Windows. The fastest method is over a network, but you can use USB and parallel cables too. It gives you full control over what gets moved too. It just works...--Bruce Waldie    "And on the subject of cables, here's an example letter:    "...I just bought a new computer and transferred my documents from my old computer to new one using a direct transfer cable http://shop.store.yahoo.com/meritline/direct-link-cable-usb-to-usb.html. I was very skeptical at first but the software and cable allowed me to actually see my old computer files and transfer them through an open window on my new computer. The transfer process was also very fast. I dreaded the fact of having to transfer everything to disk and then copy it from disk, and this system worked very well for me for small self-contained programs, all my personal information, graphics, pictures, quicken files, you name it...--Mike McKeever    "Any way you slice it, moving your files from PC to PC isn't the hassle it used to be. Either with built-in tools, or add-on products, it's faster and easier than ever."
Number 250 - March 2004