Cloning an XP Pro config to an XP Home install--possible? Advisable?

[DaveH]

We run a home LAN that has two of my machines, wife's work machine, a home theater PC, and a notebook.

All of these boxes are licesened for XP Home. I've recently decided to make my machine a server, so I'm upgrading to XP Pro for the sake of Remote Desktop and other goodies.

What I'd ideally like to do is get the XP Pro setup exactly how I want it, then copy that EXACT configuration to my backup machine and HTPC (which has essentially identical componets--both are Dell 4600 boxes.)

I have the latest drive image utilities, and have not used (and don't know) the limits of XP's "file and transfer" wizard--that would be another possibility.

TIA for any guidence on the best way to accomplish this. Plese LMK if what I'm after is unclear in any way.

 

[CTho9305]

edit2: see replies to this post first

You could clone the Pro setup and then do a repair install of home... it's wont be exact, but the vast majority of settings should be maintained.

But what "other goodies" are you referring to? NTFS is good, but if it is just for your home, I don't think you'd really need the security it offers. VNC isn't fast, but works fine for remote access to a machine.

edit: hmm, cloning back would require that your Pro setup run FAT32 (at least initially)... which defeats one of its main advantages.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: CTho9305
You could clone the Pro setup and then do a repair install of home... it's wont be exact, but the vast majority of settings should be maintained.
But what "other goodies" are you referring to? NTFS is good, but if it is just for your home, I don't think you'd really need the security it offers. VNC isn't fast, but works fine for remote access to a machine.
edit: hmm, cloning back would require that your Pro setup run FAT32 (at least initially)... which defeats one of its main advantages.

It seems your suggesting that XP Home doesn't support NTFS, it does (where you thinking of Millenium?)

Bill

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: CTho9305
You could clone the Pro setup and then do a repair install of home... it's wont be exact, but the vast majority of settings should be maintained.
But what "other goodies" are you referring to? NTFS is good, but if it is just for your home, I don't think you'd really need the security it offers. VNC isn't fast, but works fine for remote access to a machine.
edit: hmm, cloning back would require that your Pro setup run FAT32 (at least initially)... which defeats one of its main advantages.

It seems your suggesting that XP Home doesn't support NTFS, it does (where you thinking of Millenium?)

Bill

Interesting. Guess I interpreted EFS as NTFS. Ok, in that case, a repair install should work. (MS)

 

[DaveH]

Restoring and repairing w/ XP home is an interesting idea, thanks.

I'd just be worried that this might cause subtle problems later--that's really the only reason I hesitate...anyone have more info on this or tried it?

 

[leolaw]

Cant you just upgrade to windows xp pro? As long as it is not a clean installation, it will perserve whatever the configuration you have before.

 

[DaveH]

I have already been working with Pro on the main machine--if there were a way to downgrade rather than upgrade, that would be perfect...but I doubt there is one...?