Migrating from PC to PC

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Migrating from PC to PC

DimasikTurbo

89 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#247885 28-Feb-2019 17:13

Hi all,

I've got a PC that is 7yo (LGA1155 socket MB). I feel it's time for an upgrade as I use it extensively for development, but the hassle of migrating all my environment to a new PC is stopping me. I added more memory, upgraded ssd over the years, but can't get better cpu as it requires a new MB and consequently to reinstall windows (my understanding)

So how do GZers migrate from PC to another PC when the time comes?

Thanks for the advice.

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2189008 28-Feb-2019 17:43

I take it the hold back is reinstalling apps all over rather than data? You say development what kind of tools

Cyril

yitz

2074 posts

Uber Geek

#2189010 28-Feb-2019 17:50

What operating system?

Gurezaemon

~HONYAKKER!~
1353 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2189013 28-Feb-2019 17:54

DimasikTurbo: Hi all,

I've got a PC that is 7yo (LGA1155 socket MB). I feel it's time for an upgrade as I use it extensively for development, but the hassle of migrating all my environment to a new PC is stopping me. I added more memory, upgraded ssd over the years, but can't get better cpu as it requires a new MB and consequently to reinstall windows (my understanding)

So how do GZers migrate from PC to another PC when the time comes?

Thanks for the advice.

In the past, I've cloned my C:\ drive to a spare drive, and tried booting it in the new PC. After Windows burped a couple of times and installed drivers, it ended up working fine, even with dramatically different generations and brands of motherboard. It is certainly worth a go.

This is a best-case scenario though - ideally you'd have both running side by side for a period while you got the new one up and running. Some people turn their old install into a VM with VirtualBox or similar and mount it on the new machine, so that they can access files during the setup phase.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2189016 28-Feb-2019 17:59

I have 3x SSD drives installed - 2 of them are my games etc. The other is the OS/docs etc. I image that via Macrium Reflect of similar to another drive, format and fresh install of Windows, then mount the image and copy over my docs etc.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2189039 28-Feb-2019 19:09

1. copy all your data to a hard drive

2. buy new computer

3. install all the programs

4. copy all your data over

*i have my data on separate hard drives (separate from the OS). i can just move the hard drives across.

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2189060 28-Feb-2019 20:13

Setting up a development environment can be a real pain in the butt. I do a bit of PHP very occasionally, and every time I went to use it on Windows I had to fix something. I ended up installing Ubuntu LTS in a VM and do my development there now, which works great. It's very stable. I wouldn't want that if I did full time development I don't think, but I have developed on Linux in the past no problems.

Suggest the best option is to get a new PC, have a new Windows install, install everything, and then migrate your data. You can document the setup as you go so anyone else in your team can use it, if you're in a team.

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2189086 28-Feb-2019 21:07

Ive just moved the drive to the new computer on the last 2 shifts. Windows 10 handles that so well now. Couple of bluescreen and reboots at worst, then its back in and installing drivers.

One thing I will have to deal with next upgrade is moving the install to nvme from intel raid but I have found some docs that seem to be no worries.

Richard rich.ms

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

DimasikTurbo

89 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#2189522 1-Mar-2019 17:02

Hi all,

Thanks for the recommendations, i should add i work in linux and there is a 2nd bootable SSD for this purpose and i'm not worried about it as i'm pretty sure i will be able to move it to a new PC, boot it up and fix drivers issues if needed.

I'm reluctant to replace PC because of Windows environment with the programs installed that i would have to re-install.

Sounds like cloning Windows 10 drive and try to boot it up is an option as well!

Cheers