In that case this is exactly the method you should use, generalize your Windows with sysprep before moving the old HD with Windows installation to a new computer or changing the hardware on your old one.
Old HD, new hardware? It's Method One for you, then.
A few tips to make it really work:
- Using Msconfig tool's boot options, disable all but Microsoft services
- Reboot
- Stop the Windows Media Player Network Sharing service manually
- Using Task Manager, end all unnecessary tasks and background programs
- Disconnect all external hardware except display, mouse and keyboard
- Run sysprep /generalize with sysprep set to OOBE and Shutdown as told in tutorial, Method One Step 4
- Replace hardware
- Boot to OOBE
Remember that generalizing will remove all activation data, you need to re-activate with a valid product key after the first OOBE boot.
Kari
I'm not sure if this question was asked before but how can I keep the settings without going back to to the old motherboard, my old one is dead and I can only use my new one. Thanks for any answers
Hi Plk4, welcome to the Seven Forums.
A simple answer: this method only works as told in tutorial when done before the hardware components are replaced.
In your case, old motherboard dead and the new one already in place, if you can boot to Windows but with errors, you can try to sysprep as told in tutorial but it might not work. If it works, the HW errors should be gone as Windows generalizes the setup and replaces all HW drivers with generic ones.
Other than that, my recommendation is a re-install on new HW.
Replacing hardware as essential as the motherboard is exactly the same than transferring Windows installation to a new computer. About how it should be done, Microsoft makes it very clear:
Important
You must use the Sysprep /generalize command to generalize a complete Windows installation before you can use the installation for deployment to a new computer, whether you use imaging, hard disk duplication, or another method. Moving or copying a Windows image to a different computer without running the Sysprep /generalize command is not supported.
Kari
Thank you for a quick response Kari, sadly I can't even go past safe mode, the system restoration works but bugs out. I am cloning the drive however to a secondary one in case, I'll reinstall clean windows on that one, is it possible to transfer data from one drive to another in this manner (not just the actual files but the settings as well, my 3tb drive is full of games and thats just the tip of the iceberg)?
I wonder what steps I should take before undergoing the guide, for replacing my mobo with a new.
Shall I uninstall the mobo drivers on my mobo first? And should I install the drivers for my new mobo, on the disk that is on the old mobo before starting with the guide?
Transferring your personal data is easy, simply copy the docs, pics, media and other personal files from the old user profile folders to new ones.
Transferring game settings is not always so simple although it usually works quite well. An example: I am not a gamer, when I play something I'll play only The Sims 3 and Sim City. When I reinstalled the last time, I simply backed up the Users\Kari\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder where The Sims 3 keeps my saved stuff, reinstalled The Sims 3 after Windows was reinstalled, launched the game once, closed it and copied the The Sims 3 folder from backup to respective location on my new Windows installation, finally relaunching the game.
Everything was there.
Hi Nico, welcome to the Seven Forums.
No need to uninstall anything. In your case, replacing the motherboard, simply follow the instructions in this tutorial. Method One is the one for you.
Kari
The Sysprep Generalize done as in the tutorial removes the drivers, do that first, then transfer to new hardware, then install new drivers.
EDIT: Kari said it first, better.
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