Navigating to a new hard drive

[jmt356]

Dear all,

I read recently in PC magazine that switching out one’s hard drive was a relatively quick operation and that restoring the information from the previous hard drive takes about 1 hour.

I recently switched computers and have probably spent 50 hours reconfiguring the new computer, adding all my documents, pictures, songs, etc., and installation my many, many programs, language settings, etc.

Is it really possible that a new hard drive can be installed and all of the information from the previous hard drive mounted in an hour? It takes me an hour just to install Microsoft Office with all of the language settings, keyboard settings, etc.!

Regards,

JMT

[jscher2000]

You need a program that can transfer applications "as installed" rather than just the files themselves. Did PC Magazine recommend any software to ease the process?

[JoeP517]

Setting up a new computer is an entirely different process than installing a disk drive. When upgrading/replacing the disk you would probably make an image backup of your system, install the new drive, and then restore the image. It could take only an hour but mostly likely would take a couple of hours. Certainly much less than the 50 hours you've spent on the new PC.

Joe

[DocWatson]

Just curious Joe, but if you were to use an image in this instance, migrating an image from one PC to another, is there any restriction based on the hardware configuration in relation to the OS ?? I seem to recall that the imaging software will allow this now, but wouldn't XP or Vista not allow it because of licensing restrictions ??

[JoeP517]

I'd not migrate an image from one PC to another unless I knew there were no licensing issues such as OEM software tied to a specific PC. And yes there may be issues with hardware configuration differences that might require a recovery install. The OP seemed to be saying that he read that he could upgrade an HD in an hour, that he had spent 50 hours on a new PC installing software and transferring data, and was wondering why he had to spend the 50 hours (which seems somewhat excessive to me) instead of just an hour or so. I was attempting to explain the difference in upgrading an HD and getting a new PC running.

Joe

[bigaldoc]

The last times when I used to do "bare metal" image restoration was during Win98 days. In my last job I had several master images that we used to setup new computers. When you'd fire it up the first time, Win98 would see that the hardware was different and start asking for the Windows CD so it could look for proper drivers. Failing that you would have to supply drivers when prompted.

I have no idea how XP or Vista would behave under those circumstances, but surely some Loungers have done it, right? I wouldn't think that MS would be a licensing problem but it might take a phone call to 'splain your situation.

Last but certainly not least, not all imaging programs will allow bare metal restoration, but that's a thread in itself.

Edited later to add: I figured I should add this for the possible benefit of searchers. In <post:=694,939>post 694,939</post:> and following, there is a good PC Magazine review of several imaging programs and even an additional product mentioned down towards the end of the thread.

[DocWatson]

That's what I thought. I suppose I misunderstood your post. Thanks for the clarification. <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>

[jmt356]

Jscher, I don’t think PC magazine made any recommendations.

Suppose I am switching from one hard drive to another. I have on my current hard drive both program installation applications (which I open up and run to install the actual program) as well as the software actually installed. You are saying that there are programs that can transfer the information to the new hard drive so that I not only get the installation application, but also, the installed program?

If that is the case, can Acronis True Image Home support such a feature?

Until now, I have been manually transferring files (copying and dragging hundreds of documents, photos, etc.) using the Acronis Image from the old to the new computer. Then I have been copying all of my program installation files (those saved on my old computer’s hard drive and those that are on cd’s). And as I said, it has taken much, much more than an hour.

[JoeP517]

You must differentiate between upgrading a hard drive and installing a new PC. If I'm reading this thread correctly you are installing a new PC. You can not just restore program files from a backup to a new PC and have them work. There are so many interactions with various operating system components that you must install your programs. There are tools such as Get Windows Vista: Windows Easy Transfer to help migrate your data, user information, and settings.

Joe

[StuartR]

If you are replacing your hard drive then a tool like Acronis True Image is ideal. It can take everything on the old hard drive and transfer it to the new one, even if the new drive is bigger than the old one.

This is assuming that you are going to use the new hard disk in the same PC as the old one.

StuartR

[jmt356]

Regarding migrating from one computer to another, will Windows Easy Transfer take any less time than just copying all of the information from my Acronis backup of my old computer to my new computer? Even if I use Windows Easy Transfer, I will still have to install all of the programs, update all the settings, etc., on the new computer, right?

If I am replacing the hard drive in my current computer, in as little as one hour, can I get all of the information from the old hard drive to the new hard drive using Acronis? Can Acronis also install my computer's operating system to the new hard drive or do I have to buy and install that separately?

Regards,

JMT

[StuartR]

Sorry, I have never used "Windows easy transfer" and I don't know what it does or how well it does it.

I don't think that Acronis TrueImage is a suitable tool for helping you to migrate from one computer to another, obviously you could restore any backed up files, but you will still need to install the operating system and all your programs, and reapply all your configuration settings.

You may want to discuss this on another board, because this one deals specifically with security and backup.

StuartR

[rgrosz]

<hr>You must differentiate between upgrading a hard drive and installing a new PC. If I'm reading this thread correctly you are installing a new PC. You can not just restore program files from a backup to a new PC and have them work. There are so many interactions with various operating system components that you must install your programs. There are tools such as Get Windows Vista: Windows Easy Transfer to help migrate your data, user information, and settings. <hr>

There is a higher end product from Acronis (True Image Echo Workstation + Acronis Universal Restore) that promises to move EVERYTHING from one PC to another:

$80 - Acronis True Image Echo Workstation
$30 - Acronis Universal Restore

You have to buy both products in order to backup one system, and then turn around and restore everything to a completely different computer.

[JoeP517]

Yet another reason to look at different products. <img src=/S/grin.gif border=0 alt=grin width=15 height=15>

Joe

[Rebel]

Another alternative (which several of us are currently using) is Storagecraft's ShadowProtect Desktop Edition. A single license is $79.95 and a three license pack is available for $189.99.

The ability to perform a "bare metal restore" (restore to a completely different computer with different hardware) is one compelling feature of this product. The product was originally developed for the corporate environment but has evolved into a desktop solution as well.