I'm not sure if this is possible, but how easy would it be, if I bought a replacement tower only desktop PC, to just copy everything on my current PC over to it, verbatum. everything.... ?

I guess in theory I could link the two via LAN cable, but beyond that, I will need help I think. I have a second HDD which I guess I could literally just plug in as it is a storage device only. Just not too clued up on how the C: will work....

I'm glad you asked that Jase - I'd like to do something similar as my current desktop is slower than my driving, so will keep a look out for the responses

I'm in the same position, thinking of changing my pc tower, and not wanting to lose any info, already on it, looking forward to any answers.

It's possible to clone a hard drive (Ghost, Acronis, etc) , but the problem is that your OS install, all of your drivers and the like will be geared towards the original machine. When you place an existing installation in a new environment it'll throw an almighty strop. I'd say it's always worth running a fresh install, and then picking up an external hard drive to sling all the data from your old machine onto - that way, you can copy it all across and create a major backup by doing so.

With regards to your second hard drive, that'll work fine too as long as your new machine supports it. If your boot drive has been set up the second one should just fall into place without any major fiddling. 

Another way it to 'Virtualise' your existing pc using something like Virtual Pc(free MS download) and then copy the Virtual image onto new pc and run it in Virtual mode within new OS.

That way you get to keep your old system within the new PC?

what is it you want to transfer? just files and settings or apps as well? there are ways to transfer the entire system over but I think I'd be inclined to go for a fresh install and transfer my files over (over the network, with an external drive or plugging the old drive into the new system) myself

I'd put your old HDD into the new computer and then copy all your documents etc over from that. Providing there's some backwards compatibility, some boards dont come with IDE these days..

There's also other options, external HDD's, Networking, Virtualisation etc. It's just knowing what files and where they are that need copying..

Kev

It's possible to clone a hard drive (Ghost, Acronis, etc) , but the problem is that your OS install, all of your drivers and the like will be geared towards the original machine. When you place an existing installation in a new environment it'll throw an almighty strop. I'd say it's always worth running a fresh install, and then picking up an external hard drive to sling all the data from your old machine onto - that way, you can copy it all across and create a major backup by doing so.

With regards to your second hard drive, that'll work fine too as long as your new machine supports it. If your boot drive has been set up the second one should just fall into place without any major fiddling. 

What this guy says is super - I find Acronis is by far the best to Clone hard drives

using a sytem cleaner like "cleanup!" or "CCleaner" can help to speed things up a bit

Cleanup!

CCleaner

Both free - but be careful - read how to use them first

I'm not worried about files like all briskoda camera shots, etc, its the programs side of things. Just wanted to avoid having to download any programs again, etc. I probably haven't got many of the program CDs I used to have, however can probably find most online.

Other little things like Internet Explorer favourites - would be a pain for me to have to write them all down and re-log them on the new computer. Maybe its just one of those things.

So, anyone recommend a good value source to get a decent tower from? Nothing too high spec but just reliable and fairly quick.

I'll send u a PM Jason..

In ref to favourites.. If it's XP, they're in c:\documents and settings\xxx\favourites

Where xxx is your username

You can then say copy this to Win7 where it'd be c:\users\xxx\favourites

I wouldn't recommend throwing your old drive in a new machine, always best to stick with a new install and re-install programs. Sounds like a lot of work, but will reward you in the long run..

Kev

if your new PC is windows 7, you can use the easy transfer wizard. it copies all your documents, favorites emails etc. it's part of windows 7 and can be found in the accessories menu. Create the installer for your old pc on the windows 7 machine and follow the simple instructions.

The transfer can be done by network, external hard drive or by burning cds/DVDs

Imho Kev is on the right track, the other suggestions sound a little advanced for the average home user.

I'd would go with the slave drive option and drag it all over from there.

Go for for a fresh OS install otherwise it could end in tears lol

If you're going to use a network cable (cat5/6) you'll need a crossover cable unless you've a switch or hub in between.

Cloning can be tricky unless you are moving to very similar hardware. All your drivers etc will be wrong. It can be done but it's a bit of a pain.

Good time to do a clean install on the new box and just copy across the files you need.

Double check you've got everything before you bin/format the old box.

I'm not worried about files like all briskoda camera shots, etc, its the programs side of things. Just wanted to avoid having to download any programs again, etc. I probably haven't got many of the program CDs I used to have, however can probably find most online.

So, anyone recommend a good value source to get a decent tower from? Nothing too high spec but just reliable and fairly quick.

Its generally much easier to reinstall programs than to try and copy them across....they will then probably try and find files that aren't there or won't be in the right place and other complications.

Also the "old" programs may not be able to work on your "new" operating system (ie if your old computer is Windows XP and the new one is Windows 7 for example). In this case you need to find the latest versions (if they exist)

I would buy from a local supplier. Not being funny but its sounds like you might need a bit of support.

Edited 9 December, 201015 yr by juan27

With a Mac, all you need to do is connect the two computers with a Firewire cable and follow the instructions. I did it about 4 weeks ago and job done in about 5 minutes, with all my accounts, software, preferences, bookmarks, music, everything, ready to go on the new iMac.

Sorry, I know this doesn't help, but thought I'd mention it

Last time I tried this (I too am not great with computers), I tried accessing my original HDD with the new computer via an external USB HDD dock. The only problem I found was that I could not access docs/music that was stored within my user profile i.e. in My documents on the original computer.

There seems to be a way to access them but its seemed like hard work. I would suggest you transfer your "stuff" onto a ext HDD or put them in a normal C: drive folder on the HDD before you dismantle/swap it if you want to do it directly that way.

As has been said your favourites are saved as little files and are easy to find and transfer across so you don't lose them.

Edited 9 December, 201015 yr by 'daiking'

Last time I tried this (I too am not great with computers), I tried accessing my original HDD with the new computer via an external USB HDD dock. The only problem I found was that I could not access docs/music that was stored within my user profile i.e. in My documents on the original computer.

Once when I had to do this for a friend, I found who needed am emergency wedding play list (machine had blown up due to a PSU failure), so I did not want to mess up the permissions by taking ownership, I run the MS Backup tool, and then restored the files back to my PC (with the option of 'no security' or something like that).

Go in as 'Administrator' that'll often let you into most things.

Or copy them to a drive formatted as FAT32 that removes the security you get on NTFS drives.

All pretty much sorted now.