Salta al contenuto principale

Transfer to another computer.

Thread needs solution

I am about to upgrade the hardware on the wifes computer, which is running W7 Home premium.
I have True Image 10 installed on it , but I would like to know the best way to transfer everything to the new computer.
I have a recent back up but that would take across all the old drivers for the current set up, ( a possible DLL hell).
Do I do a clone of the drive or something else, any help would be appreciated.

0 Users found this helpful

You have described the problem alright and unfortunately whether you restore an image or do a clone you end up with the original drivers etc. You can use TI to just restore the data files but that doesn't do anything to move the OS and registry/apps.

TI does have a product called Universal Restore and I believe it is included in the Plus Pack for TI2010. Universal Restore is supposed to allow you move to different hardware. I've never used it.

Apart from UR, there are a couple of other options:
1. Reinstall Windows and the apps and then move the data files. Even though this takes more time it is probably the best solution and assumes you have the installation media for Windows and your apps. This is my method since I use it as a refresher and a chance to put back only the apps that I really need. I start with the ones I really know I want and then add the others when I find I require them. Surprising how much stuff you don't really need.

2. Change the video display driver to generic VGA on the old system before you make an image of it. This gets rid of the specialized software for the video at least. Restore the image to the new hardware (if a different disk is being used) and then do a Windows repair which should fix up the driver/dll issues. Others have done this method and it works - search the forum for posts containing perhaps more info.

Whatever you do, make sure your data files are well backed up just in case something goes terribly wrong!

Al,

You can backup the Win7 partition on your wife's computer with TI 10 or any imaging software you choose. Restore that image to the new computer. There is a good chance that the OS won't boot because it needs different storage controller drivers. You can install these drivers using the Pro version of TBOSDT. It is very easy. Just follow the prompts in the menu.

Win7 should then boot. Now you have to install drivers for the new hardware. Chipset, Video, Audio, Network, etc.

Seekforever, I know WinXP has a Repair Install function but I don't think this is available in Win7.

Win 7 does have a repair function though in my opinion it's ahorrid thing to use - it requires constant reboots as it can only fix one problem at a time, and then I think only booting problems.

I'm surprised W7 has allowed TI10 to be installed, unless you managed it before Microsoft and Acronis caught up with the banned program list. The Rescue CD probably would work after a fashion.

As has been mentioned, you will probably have to bite the bullet and re-install W7.

I don't think a clone will be of any benefit to you unless you have purchased the PowerPack.

An image would be better as you will then be able at some stage to mount or explore it to drag and drop documents etc.

One thing that might help, is to make sure in your BIOS that you ahve set the drive controller to IDE (if it's set to AHCI at the moment) and have legacy options enabled if they are offered. Do the same to the BIOS of your new computer. Ensure the last image you make on your old PC is one that has been run with these settings enabled in the BIOS and with Windows booted. This will minimise to some extent the disk drivers that might cause problems.

If by "upgrade the hardware" you intend to replace the motherboard, a re-installation of Windows 7 will be necessary. The repair option will most likely be UNABLE to recognize and install the chipset drivers for it. In short, I would not trust the repair option in Windows 7 to get the new configuration up & running. I would advise strongly to go this route rather than take shortcuts. In my experience taking shortcuts in these situations will only cause more headaches down the road.

As far as the personal data, depending on how much data there is to be saved, you may simply wish to burn (or archive) the files onto a recordable DVD. Or use Acronis True Image to backup specific user folders only.