programes on external hard drive

master_blaster_2

hi folks
im in need of some advice again

i have ordered a new computer and i dread putting over all the programes i use ( iv prob lost some discs)
what i was wondering is .... is it possible to copy my programe folder form my present computer onto an external hard drive and the copy them into my new computer.
i know this is a long shot but if you dont ask you dont know


thanks
andrew

sjc_2

Doubt it very much as most programs install files within the Windows & Windows/System Directories to name just two. Then there are all your local settings, common files etc.

winny_2

Will be virtually impossible to do this way as the existing windows registry will contain references to the existing programs, but the new computer will have a fresh registry.

So you can run the programs but not all of the supporting details will be present to run correctly.

I usually take a copy of the Program Files anyway as a reminder, and then slowly reinstall each program from scratch on the new PC.

imho

When my computer motherboard blew up and i had to buy a new computer,i had already done a back up of my programs with Nero 6.When my new computer arrived ,i had the install disc to Nero ,installed that again,then reinstalled all my programs from the back up disc to my new computer,All worked and are still working .Cant you use the free version 7 of Acronis and clone your old computer programs to your new computer ? isnt that what the whole idea is of Acronis

http://www.acronis.com/mag/vnu-ati7 there is the free version of Acronis,dont take any notice of the expire date as it still works,after you filled in the form,they send you a email with the link for the download,update it after you have installed it,if you are going to do it that way .

master_blaster_2

thanks very much for you replys
i'll read up on acronis and download it



i love this site
youv got a problem ... post it on here and when you get home from work youv got 3 replys


big thanks to everyone

albertross_2

Although Acronis Trueimage and Norton Ghost disk imaging programs are very good for backup, since XP, they are not always useful if you are transferring from one type of machine to another.. XP might not boot, and you will lose all your preinstalled and preconfigured software on the new PC.

master_blaster_2

does thata mean i just have to do it the old fashion way?

a well i suppose im just being lazy .. although i will need to search for some discs

imho

master_blaster.Mine was a brand new computer,with a different windows xp licence and i installed all my programs again with Nero.Maybe i was just lucky .

master_blaster_2

ihmo .... i'll give it a go and see what happens worst case i'll have to reload everything anyway ..... right ?

niccy

can you remove and reuse old hard drive ?

i don't know its just an idea

imho

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ look what they are giving away to day.

niccy,thats a good idea,you could set it as a slave or something.

Maybe if "albertross "comes back here he can tell you if you can do that,he excellent at computers and problems.