Migration Software

[corkyg]

Was looking at PC Mover by Laplink. Anyone use it? Are there other choices?

This is to migrate programs and data from a fully functional XP Pro/SP2 laptop to another XP Pro/SP2 laptop.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Was looking at PC Mover by Laplink. Anyone use it? Are there other choices?

This is to migrate programs and data from a fully functional XP Pro/SP2 laptop to another XP Pro/SP2 laptop.

If the laptops are identical, just create an image of a CD/DVD and then re-image the new system.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
If the laptops are identical, just create an image of a CD/DVD and then re-image the new system.

No need for that. If that would work, I could simply put the old HDD into the new laptop. The OS will be different in that it will have seen and registered different hardware.

I already have a duplicate HDD of the old system - do you realize how many CDRs or DVDs it would take for 50 GB of stuff? Sheesh! Get real!

 

[ActuaryTm]

As in user-data? URLs/Favorites, Mail, Documents, Application Data, etc?

Some particular reason to avoid the manual route of backing up said files to some sort of external storage (LAN, 1394/USB, CD-RW/DVD+/-RW, etc), and manually restoring?

Of course, having a routine that encompassed this type of backup in place prior to this juncture may have expedited the process, but certainly couldn't warrant use of an application for this.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
As in user-data? URLs/Favorites, Mail, Documents, Application Data, etc?

Some particular reason to avoid the manual route of backing up said files to some sort of external storage (LAN, 1394/USB, CD-RW/DVD+/-RW, etc), and manually restoring?

Part 1 - all of the above. To rebuild a new system that equals the old is about a 2-3 day job. I have the old systems HDD duplicated, so it would be very easy to just drop it in the new system and see what happens. Usually, XP has a hissy fit if there are lots of hardware changes.

Part 2 - I don't back up those files externall - the primary location is external. That is no problem. Simply move the external drive to the new system and all that is there. This is done so I can instantly change HDDs if one fails and not lose a lick. Oh yes, the external data drive is also backed up.

Looks like Laplink's PC Mover is worth a shot. Can't be a great risk at only $39.95.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Part 1 - all of the above. To rebuild a new system that equals the old is about a 2-3 day job.

Cannot see the feasibility of such. 2-3 hours, perhaps - including the operating system reinstallation.

Very simple batch jobs make quick work of such.

That is no problem. Simply move the external drive to the new system and all that is there. This is done so I can instantly change HDDs if one fails and not lose a lick.

As mentioned prior, drive imaging works rather well for this (especially those that offer incremental backups and/or allow images to be created "live" via a Shadow Copy-esque type technology); and hopefully you are aware that said image can be stored to virtually any medium, not just CD/DVD.

Good luck.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
Cannot see the feasibility of such. 2-3 hours, perhaps - including the operating system reinstallation. As mentioned prior, drive imaging works rather well for this (especially those that offer incremental backups and/or allow images to be created "live" via a Shadow Copy-esque type technology); and hopefully you are aware that said image can be stored to virtually any medium, not just CD/DVD. Good luck.

It's a lot more than just installing software. That is easy. I have over 40 active programs installed, and I can probably do that in a few hours. But then, the detailed customized tweaking is what takes time.

Yeah - I know about other media - that's what I use - duplicate HDDs. It is called planned redundancy.

Thanks anyway for the tips, etc. I'll let you all know how it works out.

Cheers!