Windows 7: Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer

That sounds like the problem I encountered in my last sysprep transfer. It also suggested I use the install disk and try to repair the installation. I wish I could have known of this little trick, as I would have liked to try it. The repair found and repaired a problem with the boot, but even after that it was unable to repair whatever was wrong and it actually gave up. So did I, so I just re-installed. No big deal in this case, as the pc is secondary and gets very limited use. But I hate having to go through all those updates again!

I'll keep this tip handy in case I need it in the future. Funny, I expected problems when going from an Intel combo to an AMD, but that transfer worked without a single problem. Didn't even have to re-activate...with an OEM retail version!

Just found this tutorial and was excited, since I'll be installing a Windows 7 Pro x64 upgrade OS this week on my home PC (upgrading from XP by doing a fresh install), but then in the near future will be doing major hardware upgrades. Thought this might make that future process a little easier, but then I read on the previous page about sysprep not working with upgrade OS versions. Is that true and confirmed? If so then it should be added as a note to the tutorial I think.

Sysprep does work with an upgrade version, but it requires a minor mod in the registry. It's a simple process, even I did it. I believe my failure of upgrading hardware (on a system that was upgraded from XP) had to do with the drastic change from a normal cpu/gpu chipset to an apu setup. I probably could have gotten past the problems I encountered had I read more tips on this forum, but this particular pc didn't have anything worth saving at that point. I had already backed up my files (back when I did the upgrade), so it was just easier to move on to a clean install. I missed an opportunity to learn more about sysprep workarounds, but I was eager to see how the APU performed.

Hi all. I've registered on this forum simply to say "thank you" to Kari for such a useful post. I used the first method in order to change my motherboard and it worked beautifully: I saved all the hassle of re-installing windows. Brilliant. I did need to use the "Safe Mode" trick though as it just kept re-booting. )It actually said it couldn't finish the installation in Safe Mode, re-booted and then.. worked!) Great stuff.

Great work and welcome wildski

Well done and welcome wildski.

Now you have to read the Bible -

Optimize Windows 7[2]=Performance Maintenance > chapter and verse and I want it done by tomorrow

Would you mind sharing the details about the hardware changes you made? And also, if you can remember exactly what happened after changing your hardware and powering up for the first time?

Actually now that I think about it, I will be moving from 32-bit to 64-bit OS when I change out all the hardware, so I don't think sysprep would work for me anyway.

I just wanted to say that I did this going from an optiplex 960 to an optiplex 7010, running win 7 x64 pro sp1...worked great. Just needed to get the latest chipset/video/NIC drivers!

Thanks Kari

This worked out so well for me after a MB and Processor swap, including the Fatal Error tip durring sysprep. Straight easy to follow and to the point.

Great Job with this

Z