Using old drive in new computer

At this time there is nothing wrong with my drive or OS(7) but my machine seems to be short on power for running my CAD/CAM programming. Screen will lock up and churn fora bit, then take off and run. I have 4g memory, but it says it only recognizes 3.5g. Fellow machinist running same program said I need a better graphics card and more CPU power, so the search is on. I do not wish to start over from scratch with my programs and would simply love to just put my drive into a new computer, either buy a barebones or store the takeout drive.
I tried this once before with another 7 machine I have and it would not boot and run, return original drive and it was happy again.
Can this be done without investing in some expensive, time consuming data transfer program?

Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

Moving an OS drive to a new computer isn't child's play, so it's not surprising you had problems in previous attempts.

You could try Paragon Adaptive Restore from the above link.

I see that you are using 32 bit Windows 7.

If you decide to go to 64 bit Windows and want to use more than 3.5 GB of RAM, I don't think you have any choice but to do a completely clean new install.

Would the 64 bit in a new machine be better for graphics and such than my 32 in same machine? I do realize using 64 I can upgrade to lots more memory.
How about just installing 64 bit into my existing machine, any benefit there?
Yes, i am informatively challenged on computers, give me a machining problem and i am golden though

Bob Myers said:

Would the 64 bit in a new machine be better for graphics and such than my 32 in same machine? I do realize using 64 I can upgrade to lots more memory.
How about just installing 64 bit into my existing machine, any benefit there?
Yes, i am informatively challenged on computers, give me a machining problem and i am golden though

I assume that CPU you have is an AMD Sempron LE-1640.

It's quite puny, scoring 759 on the Passmark CPU benchmark.

By way of comparison, a mid level machine from around 2010 would score 4,000 to 6,000.

I'm wondering how old that PC is?

What CPUs do your fellow machinists use when using the same CAD/CAM program? For all I know, that program requires very little CPU muscle. Or it may be quite demanding.

A typical PC user probably would not notice any difference by simply changing from 32 bit to 64 bit. There may be some peculiarity with your CAD/CAM program that might make it more efficient on 64 bit. I don't know. But more CPU power would certainly help.

Are your fellow machinists using more than 4 GB of RAM? It's hard to say if more RAM alone would help you without knowing details of the programs you use.

When doing your CAD/CAM work, have you looked at Task Manager to see how much RAM you are actually using at that moment?

My offhand recommendation would be to change to a much stronger CPU for certain. And quite possibly going to 64 bit if you have any reason at all to believe that your current 4 GB of RAM is insufficient.

You may be able to use Paragon Adaptive Restore successfully if you are willing to stay with 32 bit, but you must face the prospect that it will fail and you would need to do a clean install. Are you willing to do that if push comes to shove?

Great advice above.

I also watch the Task manager Performance tab or Resource Monitor to compare the CPU to Memory use in heavy tasks like that. It will clue you quickly which is deficient, or in this case possible which is more deficient. For example on this Lenovo notebook my CPU rarely gets above 75% but the Memory hardly goes above 50%, telling me I'm overpowered for my uses, and that the RAM probably outmatches the CPU. Since I have a Core i5 I can calculate that I really probably only need 6gb instead of 8gb RAM. But having too much RAM is never a problem, only an example.

With just my normal stuff open the CPU is at 12%, memory fluctuates between 40 and 60%. If I start the CAD/CAM program in addition to all else that is open, and do a cutting demo the CPU jumps to 100%, memory jumps to 90-100% and fluctuates depending on how busy the tooling is.

So, at the least I need something 2 or 3 times as fast as my processor, and at least 50% more memory. May I presume to be correct with this?

compaq presario SR 5605F
Graphics=VIDIA GeForce 6150SE Graphics

When referring to 64 bit I meant if i bought a newer better machine, would it be advantageous at that point to upgrade to 64

Motherboard Specifications, M2N68-LA (Ivy8) | HP® Support

above link to your computer at HP says it supports these processors:

Socket type: AM2
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:

Athlon 64 up to 3800+
Athlon 64 X2 with Dual Core technology up to 4800+ (up to 65 watt TDP)
Sempron - All

The Passmark benchmark for the AMD 64 Dual Core 4800+ is 1370, less than double what you've got now from that LE 1640 Sempron.

I wouldn't bother upgrading it, but it's your call depending on your budget and willingness to do a clean install. The thing is about 7 years old and really outdated from the motherboard on up.

At the same link, it says max memory supported is 4 GB.