Tansporting XP install from Dell Dimension 4500 to 4550 system?

[DaveH]

I've got a fairly elaborate XP install on my dimension 4500. I'd like to move it straight over to a new 4550 which has an identical video card, sound card, modem, etc.

I thought about using Drive Image 2002 and restoring on the other machine, but with somewhat different motherboards, that might not be a good idea. Any suggestions as to how to best go about this?

TIA, Dave

 

[Praetor]

Is it possible to just do a HD transfer? Either that or use a Ghost/Partition Magic trick to copy your old system format to your new box and resize the partitions if you want.

Otherwise, there are software programs out that will allow you to hook up both computers via USB or Parallel and transfer your files & settings that way. Dell actually sells this little kit to boot.

 

[kursplat]

doesn't XP have a transfer wizard to move all your old settings to a new comp? i've never used it , but maybe somone else here has. it might have problems with any tweeking software though.good luck

 

[UrbanAchiever]

this is easy, swap the harddrives dude

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: UrbanAchiever
this is easy, swap the harddrives dude

Depending on how much hardware is different on the newer 4550, this is surely guaranteed a non-boot if you go this route..It may be possible, but I would most definitely make a copy of the 4500 HDD using Ghost/Drive image. That way, if anything goes awry, a restore is just a cd away..

 

[DaveH]

Thanks for the answers folks...


Praetor and GonzoDaGr8, I actually tried using drive image 2002 to save the whole boot partition to CD, then moved the CDs over the to the new machine, but when I tried a restore, I got a "not a valid drive image file" error message. I would hope there's a way around this, but I have no idea how straightforward it would be...advice on this welcome too...

chuck340, it does, but I have no idea how well it works. I know I tried using it once a year ago, and got all kinds of error messages. I haven't tried it since. perhaps SP1 has improved its functionality? Anyone have experience using it?

I don't want to move the hard drives because I want the old machine to keep working as a backup too...besides, I do think that with a different MB, etc., I might be asking for trouble.

Thanks again for your replies, and I'd sure appreciate any follow-ups anyone has.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

drive image 2002 also has a drive-copy utility..You could put the 4550 hdd in the 4500 and copy it straight over. Then try installing it back in the 4550 machine and see what happens.

 

[Abzstrak]

yea, pop the newer drive in the old system and do a drive to drive copy... going to CD takes forever, drive to drive should be done inside of 30 minutes (depending on amount of data of course)

 

[DaveH]

GonzoDaGr8 and Abzstrak, good idea..I didn't know this.

It will be a bit of a pain because I have two drives installed on each machine, and no free IDE devices available (4 total), but as long as that doesn't make XP wig out it shouldn't be too bad.

Any other thoughts before I give it a whirl?

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: DaveH
GonzoDaGr8 and Abzstrak, good idea..I didn't know this.

It will be a bit of a pain because I have two drives installed on each machine, and no free IDE devices available (4 total), but as long as that doesn't make XP wig out it shouldn't be too bad.

Any other thoughts before I give it a whirl?

It wont matter..Remove the slave drive from the 4500, set the 4550 drive to slave, Boot to the Drive image2002 floppies, copy disk-to-disk. When done, remove the 4550 drive from the IDE cable, Put the device you removed back on, boot up ok..Set the 4550 drive back to master and put it in the new machine..

 

[DaveH]

Ah yes, I didn't realize you meant using the floppy version of Drive image...as I recall, partition magic 7 has this same functionality. Might be as good a way to go as any...

Thanks again, Dave

 

[DaveH]

OK, I just tried the clone as described. Installed the drive in the 4550, and am getting all-clear on the hardware.

But after the hard drive is accessed, I only get a blinking cursor in the upper left corner of a black screen. Any suggestions? Apologies for my naivette....

 

[Plester]

this doesn't work with win2k, so i can only assume it won't with xp. i used to delete the enum registry key and move win98 drives between machines with great success, but it no workee with 2k and obviously with xp based on what you have tried already. with all the time spent looking for a quick and easy way, you prolly could have started fresh and installed software, moved data, and been up and running by now - the story of a tweakers life.

 

[DaveH]

Thanks Plester, did you get a similar hang, or did something different happen?

Your point is well-taken about how a reinstall might not be much slower. The thing is, I have dozens of programs and tons of tweaks..it would take MANY hours to duplicate this...

Any other ideas?