Do I have to reinstall windows? The Answers HERE!

[JackMDS]

This is Not a Free method (cost about $60) but it relatively inexpensive, easy and fast and leaves you with excellent backup tool, and few other interesting features.

Get Acronis True Image 2010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-012-_-Product

Get the new Ad-On , http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/plus-pack.html

Install the programs and make a Backup Recovery CD (it is part of the tools in the program).

Boot the computer form the CD. Backup the Hard Drive into an External Drive or through Wire Network (If you have one). The application would sense any external Drive, and or the Network.

Build the new computer.

Boot after build from the True Image CD, and Restore the HD choosing the “Restore to Dissimilar Hardware”.

What it does? During the Restore process It strips all the former drivers, and restores the OS to the HD with generic Chipset and Generic Drivers.

When you boot it would take some time to organize and Auto reinstall whatever is available in the OS.
When it is done, boot, look at the Device Manage, and reinstall Update the residual Hardware that need it own drivers.
Typically, it is the Audio, Network, and Video that need new drivers. But YMMV.
P.S. I usually get all the drivers that the new system needs and save then on the HD before the initial Backup in a special folder. After the restore whatever is needed would be easily accessible in the special folder.

 

[ingeborgdot]

Would acronis 11 work?

 

[Aqeel1]

it is a very easy work to re install a window and then reconfigration of my computer is really easy process.

 

[DigitalJack]

Just a reminder if you end up needing to do an install from scratch save yourself a bunch of time and slipstream your install disc to include the latest service pack and all the current updates since that service pack. Basic how-to is located here http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

The RVM Integrator assists with the slipstreaming of drivers, updates and etc and I highly recommend using it when creating your image.
http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php

 

[Gillbot]

You can do it within windows itself: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

Or use one of the many utilities out there, I use nLite.

 

[spinejam]

my hardware swap (plug & pray method) from c2q on p45 mb to an i5 on a p55 mb was successful in windows 7. yippie!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

So you ended up selling your platform?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Got a quick question: Say I format a drive through windows manager and its ready for install on either an X58 or P45 board, I install XP Pro on it on the P45 platform WITHOUT installing the INF drivers, Can I still choose, at that point, the X58 to use it on?

 

[spinejam]

So you ended up selling your platform?

yes, i'm working on this i5-750 o/c now.

 

[Ozark_86]

Have you tried the imageX program noted here? http://www.windows-noob.com/forums/index.php?/topic/195-how-can-i-sysprep-windows-vista/

 

[micechow]

actually, i dont quite understand what you are talking about....

 

[ReDevil]

Stick this please :thumbsup:

It's already stuck?

 

[boren]

Lets dive into Sysprep:
Basically, Sysprep is a Microsoft tool that "resets" the configuration data on the machine to allow OEM's and system manufacturers the ability to create a master image to be used on multiple similar machine configurations.

Is it possible to run this tool from the Recovery Console? My old board is dead, so there's no way for me to do it from Windows.

Also, here's a relevant guide (which unfortunately doesn't answer my question):

http://shsc.info/MovingWindowsToNewHardware

 

[Gillbot]

Is it possible to run this tool from the Recovery Console? My old board is dead, so there's no way for me to do it from Windows.

Also, here's a relevant guide (which unfortunately doesn't answer my question):

http://shsc.info/MovingWindowsToNewHardware

I'm not 100% sure, perhaps post a thread in the OS section and yu may get some good info

 

[boren]

Good idea. I just opened a new thread about this:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=30229614#post30229614

 

[poohbear]

has any of this changed w/ windows 7? Is it more capable of accommodating "plug and pray"? My understanding is the mobo chipset drivers are the most hassling part of a transfer, so if we just uninstall those and move the system it should still work, no?

 

[jaydeee]

great info here!

Acronis is good and I am using it in the office but at home I just use ntbackup, dont have extra money to buy

 

[Gillbot]

acronis has free versions available from many HDD manufacturers as well. ;-)

 

[Gillbot]

after a couple of swaps on Win7, I have to say that the plug-n-pray method works MUCH better so far. Only had one tanked install out of dozens of swap-overs.

 

[zagood]

Just did a PnP from P45/Q6600 to H55/i5-760, Windows 7 x64, so far so good.

 

[Elcs]

If there was a thread containing the most awesome threads on Anandtech, this would be in there.

Bookmarked/Favourited for the next time I am able to afford an upgrade

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Plug and pray worked for me. Win7 x64 going from an ASUS M2A-VM to a Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H. It didn't need any extra drivers and everything was up and running after one reboot.

 

[Nietzsche-san]

So a resolution didn't come clear to me; if I'm building a new computer but re-using only a DVD Drive and an old HDD, do I reinstall Windows using my old computer before I put it in the new one, or do so after I install everything?

 

[SemperFi]

Just upgraded my box. Amd 6 core from a quad core. Quad core went into the kids machine which was running Amd Opteron. Win 7 64 bit on both. Just took boards out of both and put in new one. Couple of reboots and all is back up and running in short order.

I was not able to do this in the past when I was running xp.

This thread is definately helpful for me.

 

[Gillbot]

So a resolution didn't come clear to me; if I'm building a new computer but re-using only a DVD Drive and an old HDD, do I reinstall Windows using my old computer before I put it in the new one, or do so after I install everything?

After, rebuild the PC then reinstall using the new hardware.