HD image and restoration question

[BlindBartimaeus]

I am looking to rebuild my computer and I really don't want to reset up everything like I have now. To make my wireless printserver work it was really involved and needed tech support since the instructions were whack. Can I make an image of my HD and build the new computer and then make that image on the new computer after formatted etc. and have everything like I have it now?

 

[amdskip]

I'm assuming new motherboard/processor. Many will say yes in the way that you can do a repair install of windows to fix all the driver issues. I will definitely say no, fresh install is the only way to make a stable system unfortunately.

 

[Laputa]

You can image the drive to another drive then boot only with the imaged drive attached make the following changes. Change all the IDE device drivers on the imaged drive to Standard IDE Controller in device manager. Copy all the driver for the new motherboard to the imaged drive just in case the new build won't recognize your CD/DVD drive. Copy down the network IP info. if you are doing static IP. Removed all other won't be there device drivers. Build the new system. Plug in the imaged drive and let it redetect all the newly install drivers or install the drivers manually if you need to. You can do all this provided you have a stable system.

 

[IamElectro]

Originally posted by: Laputa
You can image the drive to another drive then boot only with the imaged drive attached make the following changes. Change all the IDE device drivers on the imaged drive to Standard IDE Controller in device manager. Copy all the driver for the new motherboard to the imaged drive just in case the new build won't recognize your CD/DVD drive. Copy down the network IP info. if you are doing static IP. Removed all other won't be there device drivers. Build the new system. Plug in the imaged drive and let it redetect all the newly install drivers or install the drivers manually if you need to. You can do all this provided you have a stable system.

You could sysprep the sytem to remove the device drivers capture an image then let windows redetect them upon reimaging the new drive.

 

[tommytran]

There are many ways to image a hard drive and deploy it again on a different hardware system. However the tools do cost money. What kind of software are you using to image the drive or at least intend to use? Here is an example from Acronis

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

I don't mind buying something but I want to make sure it is going to work.