I actually used this tool to resolve some quirks when restoring an XP image onto another computer. I did the restoration twice one using the XP REPAIR install to resolve driver issues, & the 2nd time using this tool. The REPAIR install did not resolve everything, but it appears this tool nearly did.
Do we know if PAR works with UEFI? Can we test it soon to report back here and will you if necessary update the thread since BIOS is going away?
Also appreciate you commenting if you feel like it in UEFI or Legacy?
Hi,
I'm about to attempt a motherboard/cpu upgrade, and plan on using Paragon to try and do it without needing to reinstall Win 7.
I'll be upgrading from my current Phenom II X6 setup (detailed in my profile) to a GA-78lmt-usb3 motherboard, with a AMD FX 6300 cpu on it.
I've made 3 back ups of all my important files, via 3 different methods, just to make damn sure I don't lose anything, and I'll also disconnect that second HDD for the duration of the upgrade process.
Now... there's just one element to all this that's confusing me, and that's the storage interface setup...
This PC, although coming to me with just one HDD in it, seems to have RAID set as the 'onboard SATA mode' when I look in the bios set up.
I've read of a few problems with the whole process of upgrading the motherboard, related to problems recognising the hard drives when the computer attempts to boot after the new hardware has been dropped in.
So... is there anything I need to do in advance to avoid such problems, or will Paragon take care of it automatically?
I'm not even sure why that setting is on RAID??? Although I've added a secondary hard drive since I got the PC, I haven't set up any RAID options, and basically... don't need it. I back up my work regularly.
So... should I just change to IDE or AHCI before I get started with the upgrade?
Any advice greatly appreciated. :)
EDIT: Just to note that I did see the instructions in the tutorial for adding drivers, but... having downloaded all the drivers from the Gigabyte site and unpacked them... they come with an installer and no sign of any .inf files???
Last edited by JoePublic; 23 Apr 2015 at 10:35. Reason: Additional info
OK... I found the .inf files, but... just so I understand this correctly... it's the 32bit versions that Paragon needs, despite the OS be a 64bit version... yes?
Some mobos have RAID as a generic SATA setting but it's strange yours has the preferred AHCI choice as an alternative.
If you're sure you don't' have two hard drives in an array then I think I would do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7
with only the target HD plugged in, deleting all partitions during the booted install.
You can try PAR to see if it will work. But to be sure I think I'd SysPrep to move HD to another computer
which is the preferred IT method that if followed carefully may be more of a sure thing.
Yep, the PC ony came with one hard drive in when I got it, however... I did buy it from someone else, not from a store. So, I guess it's possible the previous owner had a second drive and they set up RAID and removed the second drive before selling the PC to me.
I added my own second drive a couple of months ago, but didn't do any RAID configuration.
The options in the bios set up, under integrated peripherals > onboard SATA mode' are: RAID, Native IDE and AHCI, with it currently set on RAID.
Boot priority points to RAID ready, so... that means it's set on RAID, but not configured as such, right?
I'd like to avoid a clean install if possible, because that means I'd have to reinstall everything else, Adobe CS6, Sony Vegas and a host of other programs, plus all the accompanying MS updates... it'll take an age.
Well, anyway... having triple saved all my important stuff... I'll try and run with the PAR option. I guess worst case scenario is that it doesn't work and I just do a full reinstall of everything.
Considering the warnings associated with RAID and sysprep failures, etc, etc... I think this is the way to go... for my circumstances, anyway.
If I can get away without reinstalling windows and/or needing to reactivate windows and all my other software that needs activation... great.
If not... hours of tedium await.
If this is still the factory install then I would most certainly choose the Clean Reinstall Windows 7
which is a vastly superior install to the factory junk install. Over 1.3+ consumers have used that tutorial without a single problem or complaint. They have the best Win7 installs in the world, and they stay that way as long as one sticks with only the tools and methods in the tutorial.
Be sure to reset BIOS to defaults and SATA controller to AHCI, install with only one hard drive present.
Had already started the PAR option when I came back to read your reply.
If I decide to do a clean install... there's no downside to doing so after I've let PAR do it's job, if I want the clean install experience, is there?
It's just that I have a very small window for this right now... got work deadlines, and I probably shouldn't have even tried doing this upgrade at all right now, but... it could be a few weeks before I get another 1 day window.
No can't think of any downside. Just be sure to follow Clean Reinstall Windows 7
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