Looking for advice on switching computers. 1

[gbraden]

My friend has been using a eMachine for his business, loaded up with specialized software. The hard drive has become very noisy and sounds like it is ready to go.

He has purchased another computer and would like me to transfer everything to the new computer. The new computer has Vista on it. The old has XP Home (OEM).

I was thinking of reformating the new drive, and restore the new drive with images from the old drive created by DriveImage XML. I would also need to drop in a Windows XP install disk to 'repair' the restored (new) drive before I would be able to boot up with it. I have an extra install disk for Windows XP Pro but no install disk for Windows XP Home. Will this work? Is there any other gotchas I should be aware of? Has anyone else done this?

Thanks in advance


Glen Braden

 

[BadBigBen]

I have an extra install disk for Windows XP Pro but no install disk for Windows XP Home. Will this work?

No... You will need the XP HOME cd...

Is there any other gotchas I should be aware of?

Drivers!!! get the drivers for XP before you attempt to do what you are about to do...

There is also the gotcha of the Licensing, most if not all XP HOME are OEM, which means they are tied to the Hardware they where installed on in the first place and installing them on another PC will break the EULA...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[goombawaho]

Why swim upstream??? See if Vista will run his applications and try to move forward with the tide instead of against it. Don't have this knee jerk reaction to remove Vista and put XP on the new machine. Now, if you've already CONFIRMED that some of this programs are not compatible with Vista, then I withdraw my comments.

Yes - you are violating the XP EULA by moving a Windows license from one machine to another. They're going to get you too.

 

[gbraden]

I know I will violate XP EULA by moving his system from one machine to the next. I have an extra Windows XP Pro install disk, so the idea is to install the old system on the new machine and upgrade (legally) to the XP Pro.

This is his Business machine. He needs to be able to turn the machine on on the Monday morning after I do the install, be faster but be working too.

My customer does not want to go to VISTA, and I agree. The VISTA machines at work are at times, a lot of trouble.


Glen Braden

 

[linney]

If you wish to install your version of XP Professional on your friends machine then that is a possibility as long as the XP is not already installed elsewhere.

You may invalidate any Warranty on the new machine, so you might like to consider that. Does your friends machine have any option for a downgrade to XP via the manufacturer?

Some other considerations for you.

FILE & SETTINGS TRANSFER

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista_and_xp_with_vista_installed_first__the_stepbystep_guide.htm

Virtual PC 2007

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...3199-48a3-afa2-2dc0b40a73b6&displaylang=en&tm

Some clues and past stories here. Ben has already mentioned the driver problems.

How to install Windows XP over Vista
faq779-6713

Downgrading from Vista to XP
thread1583-1350480

Using DBAN
thread1583-1373898


XP Drivers for a Gateway w/Vista?
thread779-1329243: XP Drivers for a Gateway w/Vista?


How can I install Win XP Pro SP2 on a Vista Pre-installed PC ?
thread779-1373663

Vista OS to xp pro OS?
thread779-1375858

 

[BadBigBen]

With that added information, this is what I would do...

1. install PRO...

2. use linney's link to transfer settings and programs...

FILE & SETTINGS TRANSFER

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[goombawaho]

I question whether the original poster wants to TRY to make Vista work. I wouldn't tell a customer of mine that "I can't make Vista work for you" unless there was an underlying reason like application incompatibility. Plus it's costing him more for your time to remove Vista/Install XP.

Besides, have you checked that there are XP drivers for the new hardware?? That could be a show stopper.

 

[gbraden]

All my customer wants is a transfer of applications from old to new system without losing functionality.

The customer does not want VISTA. I make recommendations that include the pros and cons and the customer is free to make a decision.

His business includes several software packages that he needs up and running when we switch. Customer billing, accounting, appointment setter, CRM for auto repair customers, etc. While we have a list of all the serial numbers, we do not have all the software for reloading. Until I found out he had an eMachine, I thought all I needed to do was to use clonezilla to copy from old drive to new drive and put the new drive into the new machine.

Normally, I charge people to clean up their slow running systems, add hardware cards, and troubleshoot or 'fix' driver problems.

It looks like the advice BadBigBen gave is the way to go. Thanks again for everyone's response!!!!


Glen Braden

 

[wolluf]

While we have a list of all the serial numbers, we do not have all the software for reloading

In this case you really need to be moving the installation - file & settings transfer will not transfer applications (or it didn't last time I tried it - which was a long time ago, and that was reason I haven't tried it since).

Assuming you've still got the COA with key for the original machine, you should be able to find a copy of XP Home OEM (ebay?) - which you can repair the cloned drive with. You are allowed a reinstall/repair due to hardware failure (replace hard drive, mobo etc), which is effectively what you're doing. Alternatively, I'm sure you can find a licenced copy of XP on ebay (or elsewhere) as well as just the disk.

Other alternative - if that XP pro is ok, could upgrade the XP Home, then clone & repair it as pro (though if disk is failing, may be a bit risky. If both drives are SATA, could clone & upgrade clone in old machine... if old IDE, have you a working spare IDE drive to use for this purpose?)

As mentioned above - DRIVERS!

 

[gbraden]

HP had (good) instructions for the model PC to 'downgrade' to Windows XP. They do warn that doing so might void the warranty. There were no drivers on the site for windows XP compatibility. The instructions did not address it either.

I would image the new environment before I go off reformating, etc.

I just realized that the new machine is 64-bit and the old (as well as my XP Pro install) are for 32-bit. The FAST for 32 is incompatible to the 64. Instructions from another site is to obtain the 64bit FAST and use it to gather old system configuration in the 32 bit environment. Will compatibility mode run in reverse?

I think what I will do, is use an 40G drive I have laying around, do the clonezilla switch, and install the new hard drive into the old system. This will satisfy his need to be able to use it for his business, and since most of the original system intact, I should not break the OEM EULA. From there, I can try to install his stuff on the new system, keeping the VISTA intact, and present him with a turn key box. The only worry would be printer and interface.

I probably should not have taken the job, but at least, I will be able to give him choices, unlike the other PC shops and technicians.


Glen Braden

 

[linney]

Update for Windows XP (KB896344)

Brief Description

"The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard included in Windows XP SP2 does not support gathering data from a 32-bit Windows XP environment and applying it in a 64-bit Windows XP environment".

http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...18-cbdb-47c0-b7c2-77c4cc37a450&displaylang=en

Maybe the F.A.S.T. in SP3 is compatible?

 

[goombawaho]

I'm thinking that's an excellent idea - cloning the hard drive and running with his old system until you can prove/disprove Vista with his applications and then do a cutover when he feels comfortable.

 

[gbraden]

Final solution:

I decided to return the 64-bit machine. Instead I will clone his old drive to a new drive to solve any issue of his old hard drive crashing. After, I will build him a 32-bit turn-key system from scratch.

I go a lot of good information here (and elsewhere)!




Glen Braden