transfer Windows Installation from Laptop to Desktop ??

[phpdog]

Hi ,

Im about to sell my laptop and i want to transfer my Windows XP MCE 2005 to my Desktop .

The person im selling to has his own XP OS to install , so i wanted to tranfer all my data and apps without having to backup and reinstall everything on the new machine .

I have a an empty HDD sitting on the Desktop which is networked with the Laptop .

Is there a way to copy the whole OS to the desktop so i just have to reboot the desktop and install the desktop drivers etc ?

EDIT : Could i create a backup image of the OS using something like "DriveImage XML" on the second partition on the Laptop and then copy it to the desktop and restore it ?

 

[bruceb]

It would not work due to hardware being diifferent on the laptop and on the desktop.
Better to just do a full clean install on the new machine.
You could try an image and then do a repair install but it may be easier to do a clean install.
You may also need to call Microsoft to reactivate it after you move it to the new computer.
After you install the os and any apps you want, migrate all your data files to the new computer.
Then do a Zero Fill on the laptop drive so everything is wiped clean before you sell it.

 

[loup garou]

What bruce said, plus MCE is OEM only, so you'd be violating the license by installing it on another machine.

 

[phpdog]

I'll try removing the laptop drivers and update to the Standard DC PCI IDE Controller and VGA Driver etc .

I'll backup the important data incase really goes wrong then i can always reinstall .

EDIT : It worked great , I had to Re-Activate it but that wasn't a problem .