>>scbs29 wrote:
>>> I have just been given a pc with a better spec than my present one
>>> (Pentium 4 dual core 3GHz instead of Athlon 2800XP, GeForce 7895 GT
>>> instead of GeForce 7600 GS) and want to transfer my XP Pro (Full
>>> version, not OEM, not upgrade) to the new one.
>>> From the Microsoft website I gather that I can transfer as long as I
>>> format the hard disk on the old machine.
>>> I thought that I could create an image with Acronis True Image, copy
>>> this to a usb hdd, connect this to the new machine (after installing
>>> just a 'bare bones' XP and then install this image onto the new
>>> machine as the OS. Then uninstall the sound driver, motherboard
>>> drivers and graphics driver and install the new ones.
>>> Is this reasonable ?
>>> Am I likely to have any problems reactivating XP ?
>>> TIA
"scbs29" wrote in message
news:gqi2n5lpj8tk9lbcj71tjsj47a3ro0e47r@4ax.com...
> Thanks to all for the advice.
> Looks as if a complete installation on the new pc would be the best
> bet, so that is what I will do when I get chance.
>
> remove fred before emailing
> Registered Linux User 490858
scbs...:
While a fresh install of the XP OS onto your new PC together with your
programs/applications & personal data is *always* an option why not at least
consider another approach involving the transfer of your old system to the
new one? At the very least it will be a good learning experience for you
(even if it's not successful) and an interesting way to (possibly)
accomplish the objective you're seeking.
Before I get into the details of some possible options a few points...
1. I'm assuming that you would be reasonably comfortable uninstalling &
reinstalling a HDD from your desktop PCs. Obviously this means getting
inside the "guts" of your desktop PC's case to accomplish this. The process
is generally reasonably simple & straightforward but obviously many users
are loathe to do so.
2. Note that the Microsoft cautionary note you mentioned re the need to
format the "old" HDD following the transfer of the system to the new machine
(and its subsequent activation) is (apparently) MS's way of emphasizing that
since you have only a single retail license you can install/utilize the XP
OS contained on your XP installation CD only on a single PC using the
Product Key (Product ID) associated with that OS CD. Under the terms of the
retail license agreement you are not permitted to install/utilize the OS on
two or more different PCs using the same Product Key. I trust you understand
that.
3. It (nearly) goes without saying that the "old" system being transferred
to the new machine is bootable without incident and fully functional, i.e.,
completely free of any problems. If there are *any* problems with the old
system do not go any further.
Hopefully the following options will be practical in your situation. In any
event see if they're worth considering...
1. Since apparently your new PC is a desktop machine why not install your
old HDD in the new machine and use your Acronis True Image's disk-cloning
capability to clone the contents of your old HDD to the new one? Assuming
you have no plans to return the old HDD to its original "home" perhaps
following the disk-cloning operation you might decide to retain the old HDD
in the new machine as a secondary HDD for backup and/or other purposes.
Following the activation of the new system (using the original Product Key)
should you reinstall the old HDD back to its original machine you would not
be permitted to utilize the XP OS (using the same Product Key) contained on
that disk under the terms of the MS licensing agreement as noted above.
or,
2. Assuming your USB external enclosure does not already contain a HDD,
alternatively you could install your old HDD in your USB external enclosure,
connect it to the new PC, clone its contents to the new HDD, and then
reinstall the disk back in its original machine. Or if your USBEHD already
contains an installed HDD simply clone the contents from your old (AMD)
machine's HDD to that HDD and then clone its contents to your new HDD. The
latter option obviously avoids the need to disconnect the HDD from the old
machine.
In any event the likelihood is that following the disk-cloning operation (to
the new machine's HDD) you will need to undertake a Repair install of the XP
OS using, of course, your XP OS installation CD. While there's a chance that
this will not be necessary, i.e., the new system will boot straightaway -
it's only a slim chance. The fact that you're going from an AMD to an Intel
system does not in & of itself negate that possibility. If you're not
familiar with the Repair process see...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx
Should there be a need for the Repair install of the OS it's a rather simple
& straightforward procedure, virtually identical to making a fresh install
of the OS. Assuming you then have a bootable system and as you are aware,
you will need to install the necessary motherboard drivers and other drivers
such as the sound & graphics drivers that you mentioned. And of course
install any later Service Packs should they be needed together with updated
MS critical updates. Actually it would be best if you would use a
"slipstreamed" XP OS installation CD containing SP3 to undertake the Repair
install. While you could use an XP OS installation CD containing an earlier
SP to undertake the Repair install presumably you would later be installing
SP3.
And as you are aware, following the system transfer you will most likely
need to activate the system.
3. One thing more. If you do decide to undertake any of the preceding
approaches it is *always* prudent to first copy (backup) any important or
critical data from your old HDD before proceeding with the transfer/cloning
operations as described above. While it would be extremely unlikely that
loss or corruption of the *original* data might occur as a result of these
operations it's always a possibility, rare as it might be. So keep that in
mind.
Anna