[billethkid]

I regularly back up my computer to a remote hard drive using Window's 7 back up.

When I get a new desk top and have Window's 7 installed on it will I be able to merely transfer from my remote hard drive to the new machine?

btk

[Geewiz]

Probably - but, many back-up programs just back-up documents and not executables. Transfering all data from one machine to another is more complex than most casual users can navigate. You might wish to bring both machines to a computer tech to do it...it will save you the need for several neck massages and a bunch of asprin. I transfered my data (and I'm a lan tech)...it took several days to resolve all the problems. The issue is that programs like Norton Ghost are hard to use to transfer executables as you need to have the original executable to make the required registry changes. An easier option (if you want to do it yourself) is to just transfer documents and reload all the programs you want from the original discs (assuming you have them and the keys). Remember to update each program from its home website. This will take a bunch of time; but, it's easier than trying to correct the registry if the mirror back-up messes up.

[Geewiz]

Oh - and Windows 7 can be used in 32bit or 64bit mode. These are 2 different animals...32 bit apps generally (like never) work in a 64bit mode and you want to run in a 64 bit mode. Just call me Mary Sunshine.

[zcaveman]

Both posts by Geewiz pretty much sum it up. Anytime I upgrade I reinstall all of the programs and copy over all of the backed up files to the correct locations.

When I bought a laptop with Windows 7 I forgot to check and it was the 64-bit mode configuration. There are several apps that run on my W7/32-bit system that do not run on the W7/64 bit system.

Z

[rjm1cc]

Windows 8 is coming out very soon. Might want to look into it.

[Virtual Geezer]

I use to use Norton Ghost a lot when working in IT and had lot of good luck with it. One thing that made it easier was the the two drive were the same size. Going from one size to another can cause some issues. I have not done any ghosting in a few years and have not even kept up with what software is now out there to do it. There were always a few other sources other than Norton / Symantic. In the months before leaving IT they had a way to copy the hard drive up to the company server and then ghost it back to any size hard drive (same size or larger) and that system worked great.

VG

Originally Posted by billethkid

I regularly back up my computer to a remote hard drive using Window's 7 back up.

When I get a new desk top and have Window's 7 installed on it will I be able to merely transfer from my remote hard drive to the new machine?

btk