New HD

[JorgeO]

Hello,

I have 2 HDs in my PC - one is the system drive (C, D) and the other is used for backup.
When I upgrade the system drive the old one becomes the backup.

I make weekly image backups from the C: partition to the backup drive. It just happens the backup drive died, and I purchased a new one.

I would like to use this new drive as the system drive,

Should I just do an image restore (I upgraded from XP to 7 using PC Mover) or would it be better to do an fresh install in the new drive and then move the files from old C: to new C:?

Thanks for your help,

 

[Shadowjk]

I would do a Fresh install to be safe since the Image Restore may not work ...

What type of Install Disk do you have? Retail, Upgrade or OEM?

Josh

 

[TheReaper]

It's always better to start with a clean slate, so I'd reccommend a clean install. Better safe than sorry.

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 Backup imaging is specifically designed and intended to be able to reimage a replacement HD. System Image Recovery

Be sure to set the target HD as first HD to boot in BIOS setup. Unplug all other HD's during reimaging except image source HD.

 

[JorgeO]

One doubt I have - If I do a fresh install, will I be able to move my programs from one drive to the other or I would have to reinstall them one by one?

Thanks,

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.




No matter what you do, if you do a clean install you will have to reinstall all the programs/apps that you use as they integrate themselves into the Windows registry and are not moveable from one Windows installation to another so be sure to save the program activation keys where applicable.

 

[JorgeO]

To reinstall all the programs/apps would be too cumbersome.

Just suppose I have a laptop and decide to purchase a new one (both with Win 7).
Would I have to reinstall all the programs? In XP or Vista I could migrate the programs without a reinstall!

 

[theog]

Yes, one by one.

 

[Shadowjk]

You could use Windows Easy Transfer - This only works for some Programs etc

See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html

 

[JorgeO]

Ok, so now we have 2 possibilities for a clean install - the masochist way and Windows Easy transfer (besides PC Mover).

Comments, pls?

 

[Shadowjk]

Or the image

I would use the windows easy transfer way since this requires a clean install anyway

Josh

Sent from galaxy tab

 

[gregrocker]

To reinstall all the programs/apps would be too cumbersome.

Just suppose I have a laptop and decide to purchase a new one (both with Win 7).
Would I have to reinstall all the programs? In XP or Vista I could migrate the programs without a reinstall!

If you want to move your Win7 installation to the new computer, you can use this method to SysPrep the HD, then swap it or it's image into new computer and it will start up like a new install with all of your programs intact: SysPrep to move HD to another computer

Otherwise with a clean reinstall I would not use WET to transfer files as the hidden AppData settings are a corruption path into a fresh new install. Best to just copy your User account to external, then copy it into new install.

Your best bet is to SysPrep your old install over to the new computer then rely on a backup image so you never have to reinstall.

In place of SysPrep you can also use Paragon Adaptive Restore CD run at boot on the moved Win7 HD before you try to start it on new hardware.

 

[gregrocker]

To reinstall all the programs/apps would be too cumbersome.

Just suppose I have a laptop and decide to purchase a new one (both with Win 7).
Would I have to reinstall all the programs? In XP or Vista I could migrate the programs without a reinstall!

If you want to move your Win7 installation to the new computer, you can use this method to SysPrep the HD, then swap it or it's image into new computer and it will start up like a new install with all of your programs intact: SysPrep to move HD to another computer

Otherwise with a clean reinstall I would not use WET to transfer files as the hidden AppData settings are a corruption path into a fresh new install. Best to just copy your active User folders to external, then copy it into new install. Other tips for getting a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

Your best bet is to SysPrep your old install over to new hardware then rely on a backup image so you never have to reinstall.

In place of SysPrep you can also use Paragon Adaptive Restore CD run at boot on the moved Win7 HD before you try to start it on new hardware.

 

[JorgeO]

Thanks, gregrocker

I will study carefully your SysPrep suggestion.