Transferring everything to a new computer?

[boone57]

Back up all your porn on to an external hard drive (better get 500 gig or more), it will prompt you with such an option upon plug in. Then have the place you buy your new PC from transfer everything else as part of the deal. Contrary to all the crap at this forum, when it comes to electronics anyway, the Thai's are not stupid, not even, not at all.

[MikeOwen]

Belkin do a USB lead for just this kinda thing , plug on end into "old computer" other into "New computer" a bit of software is installed then you tick box what you ant to transfer and bingo , all done , easy ,

[slipperylobster]

I just wanted to add something to this. Desktops just are not required anymore, unless you are the type to plug in new graphic cards, add memory, replace and upgrade the internal drives, or just love opening the back of the tower and peeking inside.

As far as laptops, I do not even care to use the cd rom at all. I just use usb flash drives and external hard drives. And since I do not play many of those popular games that require heavy 3d graphic capabilities, i just bought myself a little ASUS EEE PC netbook (yes the tiny screen). But it gives 8 hours of battery life and it takes up almost no space. I plug it in a 42 inch lcd screen (My tv) and its like heaven. Only cost me 7000 baht... but worth every penny. I use a remote mouse and keyboard, and can sit comfortable anywhere in the room and be comfortable.

Yes, I have other laptops for serious duties. But 90 percent of the time I am just on the internet with a browser. This saves wear and tear on my other laptops.

[giddyup]

I just wanted to add something to this. Desktops just are not required anymore, unless you are the type to plug in new graphic cards, add memory, replace and upgrade the internal drives, or just love opening the back of the tower and peeking inside.

As far as laptops, I do not even care to use the cd rom at all. I just use usb flash drives and external hard drives. And since I do not play many of those popular games that require heavy 3d graphic capabilities, i just bought myself a little ASUS EEE PC netbook (yes the tiny screen). But it gives 8 hours of battery life and it takes up almost no space. I plug it in a 42 inch lcd screen (My tv) and its like heaven. Only cost me 7000 baht... but worth every penny. I use a remote mouse and keyboard, and can sit comfortable anywhere in the room and be comfortable.

Yes, I have other laptops for serious duties. But 90 percent of the time I am just on the internet with a browser. This saves wear and tear on my other laptops.

You know you can buy desktops that are "all in one"? Towers are not necessary.

[Just1Voice]

i went from old pc to new all-in-1 with Win 8. Just saved to cd/dvd from old, copied on to new. Simple

[giddyup]

i went from old pc to new all-in-1 with Win 8. Just saved to cd/dvd from old, copied on to new. Simple

How does Win8 compare with Win7, and what all-in-one did you buy?

[slipperylobster]

I just wanted to add something to this. Desktops just are not required anymore, unless you are the type to plug in new graphic cards, add memory, replace and upgrade the internal drives, or just love opening the back of the tower and peeking inside.

As far as laptops, I do not even care to use the cd rom at all. I just use usb flash drives and external hard drives. And since I do not play many of those popular games that require heavy 3d graphic capabilities, i just bought myself a little ASUS EEE PC netbook (yes the tiny screen). But it gives 8 hours of battery life and it takes up almost no space. I plug it in a 42 inch lcd screen (My tv) and its like heaven. Only cost me 7000 baht... but worth every penny. I use a remote mouse and keyboard, and can sit comfortable anywhere in the room and be comfortable.

Yes, I have other laptops for serious duties. But 90 percent of the time I am just on the internet with a browser. This saves wear and tear on my other laptops.

You know you can buy desktops that are "all in one"? Towers are not necessary.

Yes.. now that you mentioned it. It has been quite a while since i have looked at any desktops, but I saw what you are mentioning. For my own personal preference, I do not need that setup, as plugging mine into my 42 inch screen is much better that having an ALL in One. You are paying a bit more for their monitor, when your home tv probably has hdmi capability. Nice to disconnect and bring my notebook when I travel.

[Just1Voice]

i went from old pc to new all-in-1 with Win 8. Just saved to cd/dvd from old, copied on to new. Simple

How does Win8 compare with Win7, and what all-in-one did you buy?

8 can be 'tricky' at first takes a while to get used to. Once you do, it's much better than 7. All-i-1 is HP. Love it!

[giddyup]

i went from old pc to new all-in-1 with Win 8. Just saved to cd/dvd from old, copied on to new. Simple

How does Win8 compare with Win7, and what all-in-one did you buy?

8 can be 'tricky' at first takes a while to get used to. Once you do, it's much better than 7. All-i-1 is HP. Love it!

What model HP?

[DGIE]

ask the people where you bought your new computer who can do what you want them to do and pay of course

[unanimosity]

If i was you i would create a system backup and then restore it onto the new PC, check out this video to see if its something you can do..

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/back-up-your-programs-system-settings-and-files

Thank, it looks like I should buy an external hard drive first though.

Sounds like you've never backed up your computer. You do like to live dangerously, huh?

You definitely need to take your present computer to where ever you buy your new computer and have a professional do the transfer for you. BUT, no matter who does what, make sure you backup everything on a separate drive before you do anything.

And, FWIW, why buy a desktop computer? Fewer and fewer people are doing so because there's no real need anymore. You can easily buy a laptop that's as powerful as 95% of any desktop out there.

Myself, I have a fully-decked-out MacBook Pro with which I travel back and forth between the USA and Thailand .. plus several other countries ... and on my desks in Thailand and in USA I have a 30" display which I very easily hook up to my laptop. Also, have a small 1 terabyte hard disk for backing up. It's the best of all worlds.

I already have a laptop but I wanted something with a bigger screen. Besides, the computer only gets used at home so a I really don't need anything portable.

You may want to look at an all-in-one like this as available at IT City or Banana IT in Central Bangna.

You will do very well and save money if you take your current laptop to Infinity on level 2 at Mega Bangna, near Photo Hut, and speak with the tall owner, otherwise you will need to have some proficiency in speaking Thai.

[Muhendis]

"I'd like to get a new desktop computer as my laptop is over 3 years old and starting to develop a couple of problems. However the thought of trying to transfer all my files and programmes onto a new computer is a bit daunting for a novice like me. Is it something that I can do myself or should I leave it to an expert?"

Apologies for not reading all the other replies beyond the first few but, at risk of repeating what others may have already said, my first reaction is to ask, why do you, as a self confessed novice, feel such an overwhelming need to buy a new computer? The machine you have is only three years old and has yet to reach its prime. If you have some problems, it would be far better to address them and get them fixed rather than fork out for a new machine. With a new computer you will have to go through the rigmarole of setting it up from scratch. Copying your files is not a problem if you have a flash drive (USB memory stick) but you will need to reload all your programs (if you still have the source discs) for your new operating system to understand where they, and all their components, are.

There are plenty of computer repair shops that will sort out your problems for you for a fraction of the cost of a new machine and you don't need to do anything except wait for a day or two.

If all you have is a desire to own a desktop computer all you will need to do is load all your favorite programs from your discs and copy over all you files (USB memory stick). If your laptop was supplied with preloaded windows office etc. then try to make sure your new machine has something similar installed before you buy it.

Hope this helps

[unanimosity]

i went from old pc to new all-in-1 with Win 8. Just saved to cd/dvd from old, copied on to new. Simple

How does Win8 compare with Win7, and what all-in-one did you buy?

8 can be 'tricky' at first takes a while to get used to. Once you do, it's much better than 7. All-i-1 is HP. Love it!

What model HP?

Just answered that in a post above but you can see an HP all-in-one like this here.

[hellodolly]

To be honest usually that does not work that way. Usually it means reinstalling the programs again and put the settings back they were. That way things work smoothly, you can of course back up things like your documents and emails. Programs is usually something you have to install again.

I am certainly no novice but its still a big task (time consuming) but doable if you know what your doing.

A full system backup/restore will put your machine exactly as it was program settings documents file structure the only question is is it reliable cross hardware

That is what I am talking about cross hardware.. its great as a backup.. but not when you got a totally new computer.

I have a 2 Tera byte external hard drive can I not just put it on there and use it to download into my new machine?

[unanimosity]

You really should backup all data and take your laptop to the shop mentioned above and let them show you how to run maintenance on it with:

• Revo Uninstaller (download and install) - use this to uninstall programs you never use.
• CCleaner (download and install) - use this to clean out unnecessary files. If you use it in Registry mode, be sure to say yes to backup registry.
• Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools .... and run disk cleanup (including system files) and run disk defragmenter.
• Malwarebytes - Scan and remove malware
• SuperAntiSpyware - Scan and remove malware
• All of the above are freeware and should be done once a month with average use.
• Install Avast or AVG for solid free anti-virus protection but use Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware to scan at least monthy for malware detection and removal.

[JackJD]

I have used carbonite.com for years to automatically back up all files. I highly recommend it @ $60 a year. Within seconds, a file is backed up. For $100 yearly, you get other features, including backing up external hard drives and CLONING THE HARD DRIVE. You buy a new computer and download ALL PRGRAMS and files, including movies.

[jjablonsky]

A system backup and restore onto a new computer is probably not a good idea.

1. Because the system you are using now is a laptop and has a mobile processor albeit an Intel chip or an AMD chip, as well as depending on what your using to backup with. For example if you are using what is built into Windows they are not always backward compatible with the newer operating system. e.g. 98-XP, XP-win 7 64bit etc….

2. There is the driver and operating system incompatibility issue especially if for example the laptop you are using is Intel based and you are buying an AMD based computer or 32 bit OS to a 64 bit OS as well as the different type of hardware.

3. If you are buying the computer here in Thailand the likelihood of you getting an Operating system CD or method to build your own is likely nill so if something goes wrong you would have no way to recover.

Transferring your data (pictures, video music, documents etc…) is a straight forward process easy enough you should be able to do yourself with no problem. Just copy onto flash drive and paste into your new documents folders. One thing many people forget about when transfering data are Internet shortcuts, saved passwords for websites and some other minor things.

Programs on the other hand may be a bit tricky if you are using some specialty programs, e.g. Quickbooks or some such something, if not the computer you buy here will most likely have most of the software you need MS Office (most likely bootleg), video players, music players and many others. If it does not, check out this link for plenty of free software. http://ninite.com

Other recommendations A. Clean off the spyware that will come with the new computer, you could use Adaware, PCdecrapifier available here http://pcdecrapifier.com/ or Spybot for that. B. Install either Avast or AVG anti-virus software, available at the above ninite link. The new computer will come with one can’t remember the name but I’ve cleaned up a lot of computers for people because it does not work well and in some cases it’s the pro version but bootleg so the update feature is disabled or will not work

[MickGC]

Your advice might work or it might not. I am not sure with the current hardware.

It totally works. Did 3 PCs just recently, with lots of programs installed, using Paragon. Love that program. And they have all been running great since. One of them runs 24/7.

So I'm sure.

In your case, though, there is ONE AND ONLY ONE WAY you can be sure.

Until then, you must suffer in a state of doubt, I'm afraid. So I'm not sure what your contribution to this thread is, except perhaps to add your support to the reinstall brigade. Yes, we all know that a new reinstall works. The OP knows that already.

Sixpack is spot on. As long as you want to run the same OS on the new machine, cloning is the only way to go. I have a couple of high end laptops I use for work. Oldest one I use when travelling. After the initial cloning and re-installation of a couple of drivers (usually graphics) I have two identical machines. Then it is only a matter of using incremental backups (FreeFileSync) to keep both in sync. I use free cloning software "Macrium Reflect"

[manarak]

To be honest usually that does not work that way. Usually it means reinstalling the programs again and put the settings back they were. That way things work smoothly, you can of course back up things like your documents and emails. Programs is usually something you have to install again.

I am certainly no novice but its still a big task (time consuming) but doable if you know what your doing.

A full system backup/restore will put your machine exactly as it was program settings documents file structure the only question is is it reliable cross hardware

it's not a question - it's guaranteed to fail, because the new machine won't use the same drivers

[manarak]

First, your Windows can't be OEM tied to your specific machine. You do have a Windows disk and you can install it on any machine.

Yes, you can fool around with sysprep, device manager, and registry tweaks and MIGHT be able to restore your current installation to different hardware. If it doesn't work, then you can use your Windows disk to do a "repair installation." Repair installations almost always work.

But me, I wouldn't so fool around. I'd just use something like Acronis, Paragon Hard Disk Manager, Macrium Redeploy (all payware) to image/restore or clone your current installation to the dissimilar hardware. Quick, easy, efficient, reliable. YES, the restoration works just fine--pay no attention to the reinstall fanatics here.

it can be tied - I had the case with a sony VIAO, the system refused to install on new harddisks, and I also tried swapping the harddisks on an identical system. I could boot, but many features didn't dowrk, it was weird. VAIO support had to send me new disks.

[Tywais]

I'm going to have to disagree with the transfer from one machine to another totally different architecture that there will not be problems. 1st thing comes to mind is the HAL (hardware abstract layer) compatibility and I've had problems when attempting to do such a transfer. Sure, it can be corrected (hopefully) by spending time fixing all the things that may not work correctly. This includes a lot of remnant garbage from drivers, registry entries, etc. Even Microsoft doesn't support it.

Of course you can try it and it may work but no 100% guarantee that there may not be complications that can be a nightmare for a novice to fix.

To recover from one of these problems, you can restore the Microsoft Windows operating system from a system state backup. You can restore a system state backup to the same physical computer from which the system state backup was created, or to a different physical computer that has the same make, model, and configuration (identical hardware).

However, we do not support restoring a system state backup from one computer to a second computer of a different make, model, or hardware configuration. We only provide commercially reasonable efforts to support this process. Even if the source and destination computers seem to be identical makes and models, the source computers may have different drivers, hardware, or firmware than the destination computers.

Microsoft

[JSixpack]

I'm going to have to disagree with the transfer from one machine to another totally different architecture that there will not be problems. 1st thing comes to mind is the HAL (hardware abstract layer) compatibility and I've had problems when attempting to do such a transfer. Sure, it can be corrected (hopefully) by spending time fixing all the things that may not work correctly. This includes a lot of remnant garbage from drivers, registry entries, etc. Even Microsoft doesn't support it.

Of course you can try it and it may work but no 100% guarantee that there may not be complications that can be a nightmare for a novice to fix.

To recover from one of these problems, you can restore the Microsoft Windows operating system from a system state backup. You can restore a system state backup to the same physical computer from which the system state backup was created, or to a different physical computer that has the same make, model, and configuration (identical hardware).

However, we do not support restoring a system state backup from one computer to a second computer of a different make, model, or hardware configuration. We only provide commercially reasonable efforts to support this process. Even if the source and destination computers seem to be identical makes and models, the source computers may have different drivers, hardware, or firmware than the destination computers.

Microsoft

Microsoft doesn't support it because it's not "commercially reasonable." Makes excellent sense from the M'soft point of view. Hardly means it can't be done--reliably.

Vendors such as Acronis, Paragon, and Macrium have been dealing with this issue of bare metal restore to totally different hardware for many years. They have it all figured out by now, removing old drivers etc. Transfers work extremely well. Even a naive user can do them. Why wouldn't they? How stupid do you think the Acronis International is?

I've done it on my own, using sysprep, device manager, reg tweaks, HAL repair, and repair reinstalls. I'm happy to save time by using a relatively inexpensive vendor solution. Then HAL issues don't arise at all. Clone the drive, run the prep for different hardware, boot up, install new drivers and you're done.

There's no 100% guarantee you won't have problems with your original Windows installation, now is there? Microsoft offers no such guarantee. A problem can develop at just any time--as indeed it did in the OP's case. In fact, there must be a million threads on thousands of forums, not to mention Usenet, devoted to trying to solve such problems.

So let's do be realistic and avoid feeding the general paranoia.

Edited October 20, 2013 by JSixpack

[maddas]

when it comes to electronics anyway, the Thai's are not stupid, not even, not at all.

iI beg to differ, many routers open in thailand

[DogNo1]

I'd advise a fresh install of the OS and all of your programs, followed by running WindowsUpdate until "Check for Updates" finds no more necessary. Also update all of the utilities and drivers that go with your motherboard and video card. Also, before or soon after connecting to the Internet, install a good Internet security suite. Personally, I use Norton Internet Security 2014. After that is done, install your old hard dish, either in the machine or in an external HDD enclosure and copy over all of your data to your new hard disk. Hard disks are pretty reliable these days but I also advise keeping a secondary drive in your machine and copying every program that you install and an extra copy of all of your data to it. I have two folders on my secondary drive: Programs and Data with the appropriate subdirectories in them, for example, under "Programs," I have "Adobe Reader XI." That way, when I get a new machine or when my system HDD goes down, I can easily reinstall my programs and restore my data. Of course, I make weekly copies of my secondary drive to an external HDD. It's a lot of work in the beginning but you only have to loose all of your stuff once to realize that it's worth it. Once I've copied a program and its key in a separate text file to my secondary and external drives, I never have to scramble for the original disks to reinstall any program. My data is all safe too since there are redundant copies of it. As I said, it only takes one incident of loosing irreplaceable data to make the value of the existence of redundant copies apparent. Good luck with your new computer and may you never lose your data!

[DogNo1]

Incidentally, I've cloned many drives from old machines to new ones, but after months of strange errors have always had to resort to the "Fresh Install.". It seems That there are just too many unique registry entries and leftover incompletely removed temporary or installation files on the cloned hard disk for the clone to run reliably in a new machine for very long.

[Bpuumike]

Back up all your porn on to an external hard drive (better get 500 gig or more), it will prompt you with such an option upon plug in. Then have the place you buy your new PC from transfer everything else as part of the deal. Contrary to all the crap at this forum, when it comes to electronics anyway, the Thai's are not stupid, not even, not at all.

Far from it, they will copy everything on your HD!

[giddyup]

Thanks for all the info guys. My head is spinning!

[ZeroIce]

Thanks for all the info guys. My head is spinning!

Download "DriveImage XML - Private Edition Version 2.44 - for home use only"

Backup, Restore, Image and Clone your drives. This is a simple and easy to use program, if you can read - you can use the program.

If you need more info, please contact me.

[ZeroIce]

Thanks for all the info guys. My head is spinning!

Download "DriveImage XML - Private Edition Version 2.44 - for home use only"

Backup, Restore, Image and Clone your drives. This is a simple and easy to use program, if you can read - you can use the program.

If you need more info, please contact me.

WebSite: www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

[2008bangkok]

To be honest usually that does not work that way. Usually it means reinstalling the programs again and put the settings back they were. That way things work smoothly, you can of course back up things like your documents and emails. Programs is usually something you have to install again.

I am certainly no novice but its still a big task (time consuming) but doable if you know what your doing.

A full system backup/restore will put your machine exactly as it was program settings documents file structure the only question is is it reliable cross hardware

it's not a question - it's guaranteed to fail, because the new machine won't use the same drivers

Just a very small lesson on PC history for you , prior to windows 2000 you put in some new hardware you had to provide the driver disk,2000 or after you pop in the hardware windows recognize it and install the drivers, so when you restore the image and start the machine it also recognizes the new hardware and installs the necessary drivers, it isn't going to use drivers for hardware that is not in the system that would be like saying you have an onboard soundcard and install a nice new one and it uses the on board sound drivers, doesn't work like that buddy lol