New PC - old image or fresh start?

[dogoftheunderworld]

Well, after updating and upgrading the same PC for 8 years I am looking at getting a new PC. I am looking at a mid-level Dell, nothing fancy, but with drive and space for add-ons.

Here's my question: I have so much stuff on my old PC, the thought of re-installing all the old programs, settings, etc. is killing me. I am thinking of imaging my old drive (Win XP, up to date) and re-formatting the new drive (Vista) and re-imaging.

Is that just crazy-talk? Would I be better off starting from scratch?

On a side note (if I start from scratch, application-wise), does anyone have any experience with file transfer products to move data files from old PC to new (windows settings tranfer wizard, laplink, belkin usb transfer, etc)?

Thanks!

Brian
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[Rackhir]

Well, after updating and upgrading the same PC for 8 years I am looking at getting a new PC. I am looking at a mid-level Dell, nothing fancy, but with drive and space for add-ons.

Here's my question: I have so much stuff on my old PC, the thought of re-installing all the old programs, settings, etc. is killing me. I am thinking of imaging my old drive (Win XP, up to date) and re-formatting the new drive (Vista) and re-imaging.

Is that just crazy-talk? Would I be better off starting from scratch?

On a side note (if I start from scratch, application-wise), does anyone have any experience with file transfer products to move data files from old PC to new (windows settings tranfer wizard, laplink, belkin usb transfer, etc)?

Thanks!

Brian
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Yes, it's crazy talk. Especially if you are talking about a machine with completely different hardware. While it might be possible to do it, it's going to trip the reactivation at least and if your license is an OEM from the old machine it's not going to be valid on the new machine. I would also order the new machine with XP unless you have some compelling reason to go with vista.

 

[GlassJaw]

Definitely start from scratch. It might be time-consuming but well worth it.

I would recommend getting your new system and make sure everything is working. Then, add your old drive as a slave. You'll be able to transfer any files you want to your new HDD. Just make sure you boot sequence is right so you don't boot from your old HDD.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Definitely start from scratch. It might be time-consuming but well worth it.

I would recommend getting your new system and make sure everything is working. Then, add your old drive as a slave. You'll be able to transfer any files you want to your new HDD. Just make sure you boot sequence is right so you don't boot from your old HDD.

Actually set up a Boot from Menu, some days you might want to go back to that XP.

As far as transfering, I would just go buy a decent size USB Drive.

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Yeah, that's what I thought... As far as Vista vs. XP, it looks like Vista is now standard on most PCs (at least Dell, alienware, gateway...). XP is available still on Dell's high-end gaming PCs, but I don't want to spend $400 more to downgrade the OS

Any luck finding a new PC with XP still on it?

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Actually set up a Boot from Menu, some days you might want to go back to that XP.

What is considered good dual-boot software these days? (I haven't looked since the days of Disk Commander.)

 

[Rackhir]

Yeah, that's what I thought... As far as Vista vs. XP, it looks like Vista is now standard on most PCs (at least Dell, alienware, gateway...). XP is available still on Dell's high-end gaming PCs, but I don't want to spend $400 more to downgrade the OS

Any luck finding a new PC with XP still on it?

You do realize that a lot of games and such run worse under Vista than under XP? So it's not likely to be a downgrade at least if you use it for gaming. If Dell won't sell you a machine without Vista I'd look else where. You might want to try checking their buisness machines, though. You might be able to get XP on one of them and their buisness tech support is vastly superior to their consumer tech support.

 

[XCorvis]

Yes, it's crazy talk. Especially if you are talking about a machine with completely different hardware. While it might be possible to do it, it's going to trip the reactivation at least and if your license is an OEM from the old machine it's not going to be valid on the new machine. I would also order the new machine with XP unless you have some compelling reason to go with vista.

What he said. XP doesn't handle changing hardware very well. Better than previous versions, definitely, but it will freak out on a whole new system. Just start from scratch and install stuff when you need it. You'll find that maybe you don't need all the stuff you think you do.

 

[GlassJaw]

What is considered good dual-boot software these days? (I haven't looked since the days of Disk Commander.)

I wouldn't dual-boot at all. Plus, you aren't going to be able to dual-boot off your old HDD very well if you update your hardware.

Like I said, just hook it up as a slave and pull what you need off as needed. You can always reformat it eventually and use it for more storate.

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Thanks everyone. I can get Win XP on any Dell, I just have to call, instead of doing it online.

Looks like I'm heading off to XP-land and then start moving data.

Thanks again,

Brian
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