Transferring OS

MagicSean

I'm getting a new computer with no OS installed. Ideally I'd like to transfer the entire contents (OS included) of my current computer onto the new one. Is there a way to do this without installing the old hard drive in the new computer?

FSL

Clone the old drive to the new one.

You could create a linux live distro on a USB put the new drive in your old computer boot from the USB and just use the dd command to clone the drive.

Look at http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/ It runs on Windows and is very simple to use.

If you do use YUMI I would also add a virus scanner and a rescue disk, in case you need them any time in the future.

MagicSean

I was looking to do it without opening the new computer. It usually voids the warranty. I thought I might be able to dock the old drive and boot from it as an external hard drive. But i wasn't sure how to clone it onto the new one.

FSL

Is it a tower or a laptop? If it's a laptop you can get a cable with a connector for a laptop hard drive one end and a USB the other. You can connect the old hard drive to the new computer via USB.

You would need to boot from a USB or live CD to then clone the drive.

MagicSean

It's a tower. It looks like the warranty won't be voided if I open it so I can install the old drive before I boot up. Then i should be able to clone it and remove it. Or am i oversimplifying it?

FSL

Yes That's all you need to do. You may need to make sure in the Bios that the second hard drive is in the boot sequence. It doesn't have to be the first hard drive in the sequence as if the new one doesn't have an OS on it, it will automatically try the next one.

If you do need to alter the BIOS I would set the first boot device to the optical drive, the second to removable, the third to first hard drive and the fourth to second hard drive.

That way if you ever need to boot from an operating system disc or a USB you won't need to go into the BIOS first.

I've never tried cloning a drive using a Windows utility so I don't know how good they are.

kc66

Is one of the HDs (current or new) made by Western Digital? If so they have a licensed copy of Acronis software that will clone the drive very easily. Its available for download on the WD website.
Other manufacturers may provide other software.

MagicSean

kc66 wrote: »

Is one of the HDs (current or new) made by Western Digital? If so they have a licensed copy of Acronis software that will clone the drive very easily. Its available for download on the WD website.
Other manufacturers may provide other software.

Yes the one i want to clone is Western Digital.

ScumLord

Will it not be a bit of a mess using all the wrong drivers? I'd always prefer a clean install if possible.

the_syco

ScumLord wrote: »

Will it not be a bit of a mess using all the wrong drivers? I'd always prefer a clean install if possible.

I agree with this. Also, is the Windows license an OEM version (Dell,HP, etc), or a Professional version? If the former, it may not boot if it sees it's on different hardware, but if the latter, it may ask to be reactivated.

visual

Simple answer is no !

when you in stall a windows OS it detects hardware and installs drivers, it also notes network card mother board BIOS CPU etc...

If you move hard drive or use clone hard drive in new machine it will have the following problems

One it will have all the wrong drivers
Two more important it will detect its not the same machine and will seek to be validated by microsoft..

If you bought the original copy of windows on CD with Key you can use CD to reinstall and if necessary can have it validated by Microsoft.

Most computers OS is sold pre-installed, with a recovery disk at best and it will not work on new machine

Hope this saves you hours of fruitless effort