System Swapper

cormie

Hi,
I'm getting a new laptop soon and will continue using XP Pro on it. To set up XP the way I like it usually takes HOURS so I'm just wondering is there anything out there that will filter through my current set up, copy all the files needed and leave the ones that aren't?

My current laptop is an Acer, so I don't want to be installing a load of hardware files that are required for my Acer on the new Dell and leaving out files needed for the Dell. So is there anything out there that I can just copy an image of my current set up to a DVD/external HD, then put that image on the new HD, reboot and it then installs XP whatever way I have it set up on my Acer (including Service pack 2, down to the little details like the icons in my system tray and keeping all the third party programs exactly the way they are, my firefox bookmarks and settings etc) and of course personal files too.

Basically, I want to be able to turn on my new laptop and have everything exactly the way it is on my current one, without any excess, unnecessary files that are only required for my Acer, and without any problems from not having installed files required for the Dell

I have Norton Ghost 2003 but as far as I know, this wont filter through anything so I may run into problems with the new Dell booting with the Acer configurations.

I'm surely not the first person who this could save HOURS and HOURS of work for so hopefully there's something that can just do it all

Any feedback appreciated

irlrobins

What you're taking about is ghosting one hard drive to another. But ghosting will only work on machines that are the same type. You'd never be able to take a direct copy of the Acer file system and expect it to work on the Dell.

You could try using Windows File and Settings transfer to copy across some of your setup. Office also has a transfer app (save my settings wizard) that will transfer your configurations across.

Personally, I'd do a fresh install of XP on the Dell of all the applications. After a few years of use your Acer is probably in a less than optimal state.

majiktripp

You could do the straight ghost image from one machine to the other, all you then have to do is carry out a repair install to windows which will install the basic drivers for the new machine, but will retain your old acer user accounts and programs etc. All you then have to do is update the relavent drivers and your new machine should be the exact same as the old.

cormie

Thanks for the replies. Pretty surprised there isn't a program to do this yet. I mean it would save hours for so many people if there was something that could just filter out whatever has been customised and installed.

Was thinking of just doing another fresh install, but it's so much effort! When you say after a few years it's probably not in an optimal state, do you reckon this is because the constant use, deleting/installing moving around various files. I know that I've seen systems slow down from when they were new, but would ghosting like above slow down the new system straight away if I was just copying everything straight across?

Also, is there anywhere you can get a direct download of Service Pack 2 with al installed updates? What I usually have to do is install XP, then install SP2, then install security updates through windows update. Would be handy if it could all be done in one go. Don't suppose you can download SP2 XP PRO that will just install the whole lot altogether and I just verify that with my serial number?

irlrobins

Well after installing and uninstalling programmes, updating applications, and moving/deleting files, there is bound to be dead files, invalid registry entries etc. So there's no need to copy these over onto the new system.

As for downloading a version of SP2 with all the latest updates, no, not from microsoft. Although there might be a third party app that will do it. I remember using a dos command application that downloaded all the updates from windows and slipstreamed them. Can't remember the name of it though.

Edit: found it http://smithii.com/slipstream_xpsp2

Also this is worth a read: http://juice.altiris.com/book/export/html/2504

Gadgetman496

Put the hard disc from the Acer into the Dell (Only joking)

XP Pro has a handy feature called ASR Backup & I use it when I build a new machine & have it tweaked to exactly the way I want it.

It's great in the event of a disaster. It puts everything back as it was.

I know it doesn't fully meet your needs but it's no harm to be aware of it.

ASR Backup:
http://www.petri.co.il/what's_asr_in_windows_xp_2003.htm

Guidelines:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/ec2605a5-22b0-4f01-83e7-171bc4cbdf041033.mspx?mfr=true


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cormie

Show time, I got my new laptop today and it's got Vista on it, so I'm going to install XP asap.

So there's still no way to just get a copy of XP and all my programs the way I have them set up

Majiktripps suggestion seems the best option to go for I think But will it still install a load of ****e from my acer laptop? Is there any way to filter through it?

Does each program store it's saved info in the same kind of place and would it be possible to say copy the folder that has all the program info stored, like the way I have the menu set up on Firefox and the add ons etc.

I can't believe there's not a program out for this task yet

Thanks for the help so far everyone. Hopefully I wont have to start from scratch. Not too fond of the idea of having a load of dead and unused files on my new laptop though.

majiktripp

If you went for the way I described most of your porgrams will be unaffected. Now I say most but some may still need to be reinstalled but I have never really had to many difficulties using the repair to windows trick.
I suggest doing a full backup of your system to a seperate external drive completely just to be safe.
Theres simple rules for jobs like this, backup,backup,backup.
Cos if it goes wrong, and in the computer world things go wrong all the time for no apparent reason...you'll be glad of that backup.
Now thats I've done the scare mongering, there's no real way to know how succesful the attempt would be until you have actually done the hard drive swap and do the repair to windows.
Best of luck with it! Keep us posted.