Does anyone know of a good tool, to migrate user settings, applications and
other files, from an older Windows XP Pro system to a new one? (Going from
IDE to SATA drives?)

I'd like to be able to migrate the system without having to re-install every
application.

Thanks.

Kevin Antel wrote:

> Does anyone know of a good tool, to migrate user settings, applications and
> other files, from an older Windows XP Pro system to a new one? (Going from
> IDE to SATA drives?)
>
> I'd like to be able to migrate the system without having to re-install every
> application.
>
> Thanks.
>
>

I would suggest Ghost.

--
The reader should exercise normal caution and backup the Registry and
data files regularly, and especially before making any changes to their
PC, as well as performing regular virus and spyware scans. I am not
liable for problems or mishaps that occur from the reader using advice
posted here. No warranty, express or implied, is given with the posting
of this message.

"Kevin Antel" <kevina@cqlcorp.com> wrote:

>Does anyone know of a good tool, to migrate user settings, applications and
>other files, from an older Windows XP Pro system to a new one? (Going from
>IDE to SATA drives?)
>
>I'd like to be able to migrate the system without having to re-install every
>application.
>
>Thanks.
>

Applications will be the big problem. There is no software available
that I am aware that can reliably do this, although there are some
commercial products that claim to have this capability. But I have
yet to try them or to see any reports from users who have. You might
want to check out Laplink's PCMover as they have a free trial
available at present. http://www.laplink.com/FreeLaplinkPCmover/

Other than that your best option would be to use the Files and
Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP to migrate your user data files
and configuration settings. FASTW does not move installed
applications so these would have to be installed on the new system.
See http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

> "Kevin Antel" <kevina@cqlcorp.com> wrote:
>
>>Does anyone know of a good tool, to migrate user settings, applications
>>and
>>other files, from an older Windows XP Pro system to a new one? (Going
>>from
>>IDE to SATA drives?)
>>
>>I'd like to be able to migrate the system without having to re-install
>>every
>>application.
>>
>>Thanks.


"Ron Martell" <ron.martell@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:hdeoj19mfe5tvgof2svkdj3kd30kalqff1@4ax.com...
> Applications will be the big problem. There is no software available
> that I am aware that can reliably do this, although there are some
> commercial products that claim to have this capability. But I have
> yet to try them or to see any reports from users who have. You might
> want to check out Laplink's PCMover as they have a free trial
> available at present. http://www.laplink.com/FreeLaplinkPCmover/
>
> Other than that your best option would be to use the Files and
> Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP to migrate your user data files
> and configuration settings. FASTW does not move installed
> applications so these would have to be installed on the new system.
> See http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm
>
> Good luck
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
> --
> Microsoft MVP
> On-Line Help Computer Service
> http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
>
> In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
> http://aumha.org/alex.htm


Kevin:
As Ron indicates, there are a number of so-called "data migration" programs
on the market (you can do a Google search for info on them) but my
experience parallels Ron's. They're very iffy so we rarely work with them
any more.

What you should consider is a disk imaging program such as Symantec's Norton
Ghost (I prefer the 2003 version) or Acronis True Image. There are other
programs as well. I assume you're unfamiliar with these types of programs.
Their basic function in your kind of situation is that they will "clone" the
contents of your old drive to the new one so that you will have, in effect,
an exact duplicate of the old drive on your new one. This includes the
operating system, registry settings, all your programs and data, in short
everything that's on your old drive. Now in most cases following the cloning
operation you will need to install whatever drivers are necessary for your
new system. Presumably these will be available from the new motherboard's
installation CD (I'm assuming your new system has a different MB than your
old machine) or other sources, however in many cases the XP OS will pick up
some or all of the needed drivers upon the initial boot of your new drive.

After you use that disk imaging program to copy the contents of your old
drive to the new one, you can use that program time & time again for routine
backups, perhaps using the "old" drive as recipient of these backups.
Anna