Help migrate SSD + spinner to new computer (OEM OS)

Hi all,
I am new to the forum, but after searching I could find no help for my predicament.

I built my wife a new i7 box thinking I cud just move the SSD+spinner to the new build... Not! MS won't allow the migration!

So, the question is this: how to migrate spinner with installed progs from old i5? Can I just install the spinner and point Win7 to it? I am guessing that it won't work...

Any suggestions would be appreciated, but please don't suggest reinstalling all the progs to the spinner again, as that is no help! I know I can do that... Have been around computers for decades, just not SSDs for OS and spinners for programs.

Thanks in advance.

Phil in CA

Is the old computer a brand name/OEM? If so the Windows EULA/End User License Agreement stipulates that the installed version of Windows has to stay with that computer. Most times the Retail or Upgrade version of Windows can be installed a second time but only on a Replacement computer, can't be on two machines at the same time.

Another issue in moving a drive is the difference between the hardware such as the motherboard and CPU, drivers for devices would all be different.

Since you already have the OS installed the Registry will not have the necessary entries for the programs not actually installed, will not have the Start menu items/icons created and will not have the required support files for the programs installed where needed, some such are .dll files each program needs.

If the spinner is only for storage of data there would be no problem but the drive letter may change from what it was before, e.g. the Optical drive may be D: and the HDD would go to E:, or maybe the other way around. The only reason I've found to assure the correct Optical drive letter assignment in Disk Management was to accommodate a few programs that were installed that kept reference data on a CD or DVD, easier than changing all the Registry entries referencing that drive.

PHILinCA said:

Hi Berton,
Yeah, it's an i5 to i7 conversion with new MB, for my wife. She's currently using the i5.

The real question is can I migrate the spinner from i5 with SSD to i7 with SSD. I just don't want to be forced to reinstall all her programs... I already have a new OEM of Win 7 Home Premium for the i7 installed.

Both machines are my custom builds. .

Take a look at this tutorial for Paragon Adaptive Restore.

Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

Leaving aside any licensing issues you would face.

Thanks for replies one and all. I prolly will have to bite the bullet and install all her software and restore the data.

Best wishes to all,
Phil