New computer-partial transfer

harwilk · 16 Apr 2011

I am having a new computer built, specifically for HD video editing, for which I need W7x64. This will have : motherboard Asus P6X58D-E, Intel core i7-960, 12GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM , 1GB Nvidia Geforce GTS450, 500 GB WD Caviar Black SATA6 Gb/s (partioned into 250GB and 250GB) and a 1TB WD Caviar Black.

I have Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade X32 and X64 DVDs (upgrade from Windows XP - which, in turn, was an upgrade from Windows 98SE (all retail editions).

What I would like to do would be to install my existing Maxtor system drive HD(W7X32) on to the new computer, so that I do not have to re-install all my programs which are on it, and also worried that some might not work with W7X64: then install W7X64 on the partioned 250GB Caviar Black, or perhaps reverse this order of installation.

I suppose that if this were to be feasible, I would have to re-activate with Microsoft the W7X32.
I would then continue to use that for all purposes, other than video editing. Thus the new installtion of W7X64 would be used exclusively for video editing and only using tapes from my own Canon HV30 camcorder. So it would not be exposed to any possible virus or malware. Thus it would not need any separate Microsoft activation for subsequent updates, etc. Again, I don`t know if this is feasible, or desirable.

I would welcome any advice on the possibility of this way of achieving installation and dual booting, or am I just making life difficult for myself now and perhaps in the future and I should just forget the whole idea and just install W7X64 only. I have found, since installing W7 that my old programs which will not run on that, do so satisfactorily in Windows XP compatibility mode, although the virtual machine XP system I found not to work very well. I presume that
XP compatibility mode is available in the 64 bit version, as well as the 32bit?

All help much appreciated.

theog · 16 Apr 2011

One Microsoft Windows 7 licence key = One install.(32 or 64)
Two Microsoft Windows 7 licence key = Two installs.(32 or 64)

For your old HD take a look at this tutorial:
Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer

harwilk · 17 Apr 2011

Many thanks theog. You have advanced my knowlege. However, I now appreciate that transferring a disk + its
operating system would not benifit me if I would still be wanting X64, which it seems can only be achieved
by losing existing installed programs and doing a clean installation.

gregrocker · 17 Apr 2011

You can transfer your existing Win7 to new hardware by SysPrepping the HD on the old hardware first to remove all drivers, activation and hardware ID's: SysPrep to move HD to another computer

Then when you start it up in the new hardware it will install all drivers (requiring several restarts) and reactivate at Computer>Properties, possibly requiring a quick registry workaround given here if it rejects Upgrade key on reactivation: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version. Either way it should require a robocall to MS to record the changed hardware signature for that key.

The best method to Dual Boot with separate HD's is via the BIOS, by unplugging the existing Win7 HD during install of the other one. Then after install, plug back in the original Win7 HD, set preferred OS HD as first to boot in BIOS setup, boot the other one using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key which on Asus is F8.

This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please, whereas a Windows-managed Dual Boot Menu interlocks them and requires one to be marked Active and repaired later to recover it's System files.

harwilk · 18 Apr 2011

Thanks again, but I am now not thinking of attempting dual booting. This leaves me unsure of the proper sequence. Should I do the sysprep first to install me old drive in the new computer, or should I install Windows
7X64 first in my new computer (using my upgrade DVD)?

gregrocker · 18 Apr 2011

You'll need to dual boot if you're planning to have both 32 bit and 64 bit Win7 in the same computer.

I gave you the steps to follow in my last post.

If you have changed your plans, then explain it better.

theog · 19 Apr 2011

Make sure you backup your data first.
Backup User and System Files
Restore Backup User and System Files

Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

Than install with Upgrade DVD:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

harwilk · 19 Apr 2011

I am sorry if I had not made my intentions clear. I had originally thought that it might be possible to dual boot 7X32 and 7X64, but I have now realized that my one W7 licence only permits me to have one installation. So I decided that in my new computer the only one will be Windows 7X64 and in consequence, I would have no wish to dual boot.
This left me to only have to consider whether my existing programs and files could be transfered to the new computer. I appreciate the information given to me, particularly the possibility of using sysprep to transfer my existing system hard disk,(W7X32) to the new computer. It was the possibility of doing this which left me unsure as to sequence; whether I should do this before or after installing W7X64 in the new computer. I realize that I may be falling into the trap of too little knowledge being a dangerous thing and that this method might not be appropriate, if I intend to have only W7X64 in the new computer.
I was thinking of trying to avoid having to re-install all of my existing programs, but this seems unlikely to be possible. In my now only slightly less confused state, it appears likely that I shall have to follow the latest advice from "theog" and resign myself to having to re-install my programs on the new computer, having brought this on myself by buying W7 and upgrading from WindowsXP only last December and in April deciding to have a new computer!

gregrocker · 19 Apr 2011

You would be SysPrepping the existing 32 bit installation only if you planned to move it, but since you've decided to use 64 bit with no Dual Boot with the 32 bit then there is no need to SysPrep.

Just clean install 64 bit Win7. Clean Install Windows 7

If you're installing to a new HD, leave the Product Key blank during install then afterwards do the quick workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a clean HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Other tips for getting a perfect install, which you can then back up as an image and never have to reinstall again:

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates several times.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger after adding it's Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

harwilk · 19 Apr 2011

Many thanks to both gregrocker and theog for taking the time to put me right by giving me comprehensive instructions. As I said, I was trying to avoid the lengthy process of re-installing, for the second time in four
months, but that is my own fault and I know that to utilise the 12GB RAM which I shall be getting, I need X64.