Backup from old PC to new PC
Hi
I do a full backup image of my old current PC every month and have had to reinstall on it a few occasions easily but now I will be gettng new upgraded PC with ALL new components. A straight transfer Im assuming will not work especially since I never have partitioned the OS which will also be different on the new PC. So should I do a special kind of backup of just files/folders prior to transfering to the new PC. Im really confused and lost. I'd like to be able to transfer as much data from my old PC to new (6 years of data saved).
TIA
Well yes which Im assuming my legal copy OEM XP can be transfered to th new PC.
Um, you answered "yes" but then said you want to transfer XP to the new PC, which would be "no". Which is it? You have XP on the old PC. You plan to install the same version of Windows XP on the new PC (rather than, say, installing Windows 7)?
In general, OEM copies of windows cannot be transferred to new hardware, even if the original computer "breaks". A replacement MB (identical or manufacturer equivlent) that's being replaced from a defect falls outside of this. However, a call to MS customer support for activating windows manually usually allows one around this requirement. MS doesn't seem to be too stringent about enforcing this as long as the copy of windows is only installed and in use on one machine. Interpretation can vary.
Um, you answered "yes" but then said you want to transfer XP to the new PC, which would be "no". Which is it? You have XP on the old PC. You plan to install the same version of Windows XP on the new PC (rather than, say, installing Windows 7)?
Yeah that was the plan because Im on a budget and Im use to XP (I know its dated). So I guess it will have to be a new OS...Windows 7. Btw thank you for your patients with me. I really do appreciate it.
I think you're better off getting Win7, as it's a brand new computer. Support for new hardware and drivers may be better in Win7. Plus, software support will be better for modern applications. XP is over ten years old.
Since the operating systems will be different, you won't be able to do a full system restoration using Acronis True Image. What you can do is make a file-based backup, backing up all your user directories (e.g. My Documents, etc.), Internet browser bookmarks/favorites, e-mail files, etc. Once Acronis True Image is installed on the new PC, you'll be able to mount the backup archive and, in Windows Explorer, drag the stuff you want from the backup to the new drive.
However, for simple file backup which we're discussing here (as opposed to the normal Acronis full disk or partition system backup), you may want to use a different tool. For file backups I prefer to use a file-based backup tool, which backs up files in their original file formats to a backup drive. I've used two free Microsoft's tools, SyncToy and Robocopy. Each has pros and cons, but either should do what you need. You can of course use Acronis True Image to backup the files, but you'll need it installed on the new system to do the restore.
Thank you. You have been extremely helpful!