Cloning
your WindowsXP installation for a new PC is a slightly more complex
procedure than simply cloning Windows XP onto a new hard disk on the same
computer, since the underlying hardware also changes. This necessitates a
'repair install' of the operating system, in which the essential system files
are reinstalled while leaving the registry and all data and programs intact.
Once these procedures are complete, you will also need to reactivate your copy
of Windows XP and probably install drivers.
Note that
depending on the make of the computer system you have purchased, opening the
case and copying over the hard drive may bring warranty issues, so check before
you do so. Another issue you might want to be aware of is that installing XP
onto another computer, even if you no longer intend to use the first computer,
is a violation of the EULA (End User License Agreement) of OEM copies of Windows
XP.
This copyright limitation does not apply to
retail box versions of Windows XP provided you do not use it on more than one
system. This issue becomes more of a technicality if you have
purchased a new copy of XP with your new system and simply wish to move your old
WinXP install over for simplicity. For more details on the assorted issues
relating to this, see our copyright and legality article here.
For this procedure
first
power off both computers
and transfer the old
drive into the new computer as a secondary hard drive. To do this,
remove the old operation system hard disk from your old
computer and install it
in the new computer.
Once
you have the old drive connected to the new computer, perform the disk cloning operation using
whichever software cloning program you choose from Part 2. of this guide (the specific instructions on how
to do this are listed in Part 2. by the way).
What to do when the cloning to the new PC is
complete?
When the cloning operation is complete, remove the old drive
and boot up the new computer with the windows XP CD in the CD drive. You will
need to ensure that the system is set to boot from the CD drive first. If
it is not, this can be easily changed in the BIOS.
Press any key when prompted to
boot from the XP CD.
You now need to perform a "Windows XP repair install," which redetects all
hardware and reinstalls system files without touching the registry or user data
present on the system. This process adapts your Windows XP install to the
new hardware it is running on.
To do this first choose the "press enter to set up
Windows XP now" option when prompted. Then, press F8 to skip through the EULA
(though if you haven't read it before, you should now), and when the option presents itself, pres "R" to begin the repair installation.
Be very careful not to in
advertently set you computer to simply reinstall the new drive. If you do this,
the operating system will start from scratch, wiping out your data in the
process. The computer will go through the entire XP install process,
but will not attempt to replace any of your existing data. It
will simply reinstall the system files and redetect all the hardware.
Once the Window XP repair install has completed, boot the system normally. You will be prompted to activate your copy of Windows XP again. Follow the onscreen procedure to activate XP over the phone. Now that you are back in your familiar WinXP environment, the final steps are to reinstall any drivers that may be missing, and to redo any patches and service packs that you applied previously.
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