file and setting transfer wizard

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Fastlemons

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#20322 21-Mar-2008 10:52

hello, I am upgrading to vista this weekend and was wondering whether the xp file and setting transfer wizard files are compatible with vista because the one on th cd transfers 28 gb and the xp one only transfers 13 gb is this wrong

freitasm

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#117856 21-Mar-2008 10:54

When copying your data you should worry about documents (pictures, movies, music, documents) only. Program settings should all be recreated when installing those programs on Windows Vista - unless you are doing an upgrade.

If you are doing an upgrade on the same machine you shouldn't need to do anything - just install Windows Vista and everything will remain as before.

However you should always have a backup copy of all your files.

Fastlemons

63 posts

Master Geek

#117857 21-Mar-2008 10:58

so, if i run the wizard will a it copy my user settings and all that or do i have to start from scratch doing a clean install.

freitasm

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#117859 21-Mar-2008 11:09

If you just insert th Windows Vista DVD and run the install it will give you the option to upgrade - keeping all your settings and files.

Remember to always make a backup before doing this!

Fastlemons

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Master Geek

#117862 21-Mar-2008 11:12

i have 2 do a clean install as i have only one hdd and i am running xp professional, will files and setting wizard still work or not

freitasm

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#117864 21-Mar-2008 11:15

I don't think there's any restrictions on Vista upgrade and the number of HDD.

I don't know if the wizard will work ok - I have not tested. AS I wrote before, make sure you copy your documents - don't worry about settings because those will be updated when you install the programs again.

Fastlemons

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Master Geek

#117865 21-Mar-2008 11:18

so i can do an upgrade as i have tried it before and needed to clean install.

freitasm

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#117867 21-Mar-2008 11:19

You should be able to - but if the option is not offered it could be your system has something that prevents it happening. Any messages? Perhaps not enough disk space available?

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grant_k

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#117868 21-Mar-2008 11:25

freitasm: I don't know if the wizard will work ok - I have not tested. AS I wrote before, make sure you copy your documents - don't worry about settings because those will be updated when you install the programs again.

Last time I tried the Wizard between 2 XP machines, it whirred away for hours making temporary directories with copies of all my files... everything was looking good... until the time came to start creating the new files. Then the wizard crapped out with some incomprehensible error message

I would definitely NOT trust it. If it works, you are very lucky but be sure to have a backup of everything in My Documents, also your Favourites, Desktop and any Installation Programs you have downloaded rather than installing from CD or DVD.

Then if the Wizard doesn't work (probably highly likely) you can do a clean install (always the best IMO), re-install all your original applications from CD or DVD, re-install any downloaded applications, and finally copy My Documents, your Favourites and you're done.

Oh wait; I forgot one thing: E-mail messages. These will be hiding somewhere in Application Data or Local Settings. You will have to hunt around for them as it is different for the various e-mail clients such as OE, Outlook, Thunderbird etc. Find all your message folders and make a copy and also copy your address book and signature file. That should about do it

Fastlemons

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Master Geek

#117869 21-Mar-2008 11:25

i can only upgrade to busines etc not home premium. any other way