Advice - Best way to transfer settings to a Vista Clean install.

[Siv]

Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it when
on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with compatibility with
other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good blowing
away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro to Vista will
be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I went from my original
XP pro to the first release about a year ago and lots of stuff was messed up
and I ended up reformatting and starting again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings transfer
wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Richard G. Harper]

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, you
need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files to move
them to Vista.

 

[Siv]

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked on
the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer system,
but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one computer to
another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the PC
(I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do a
clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard,
you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files to
move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good blowing
away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro to Vista
will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I went from my
original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and lots of stuff
was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting again with a clean
install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Curious]

AFAIK If you are upgrading an XP system to 32 bit Vista all of your existing
settings etc. should be carried along. Only a clean install of 32bit or 64
bit vista will not carry along your existing settings etc.

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked on
the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer system,
but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one computer to
another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the PC
(I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do a
clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard,
you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files to
move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good blowing
away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro to Vista
will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I went from my
original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and lots of stuff
was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting again with a
clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Siv]

Yes, but as I said in my initial post, I did that the last time I switched
over and it was a) an exceptionally lengthy process and b) left a lot of
clutter from my XP install lurking in various folders.

Experience with Microsoft OSs since Windows 386 has taught me to never do
that, just back everything up that you want to keep, such as your files and
settings and then blow the old version away. Then do a clean install of the
new one and then import your backed up files and settings. That way nothing
that was a bit broken doesn't get carried over into the new OS or indeed a
clean install of the old one.

I do a blow out of my OS at least every 6 months as I just seam to build up
clutter (particularly in the registry) left from apps I have evaluated and
development stuff I do myself. It's well worth a good clearout every 6
months as it forces you to a) implement your backup and disaster recovery
strategy and b) you get a much better performing system.

(MS please take note - Windows 7 should implement a faster registry that
automatically deletes dross that it knows should be removed when apps are.
I am convinced that along with disk drive file bloat the other major reason
why your PC slows down on Windows over time is down to the cumulative effect
of hunting through billions of registry settings. Oh and while I'm on a
Windows 7 rant, please give us reasonably competent Windows users the
ability to turn off the display of icons in Explorer and Vista's need to
scan every subfolder of your disk when you just want to open the next layer
down in a folder hierarchy particularly frustrating on DVDs and CDs with
huge amounts of folders with thousands of small files)

I want a clean install of Vista and then to import my documents and settings
to it, causing the minimum of upset to my shiny new OS.

Siv

AFAIK If you are upgrading an XP system to 32 bit Vista all of your
existing settings etc. should be carried along. Only a clean install of
32bit or 64 bit vista will not carry along your existing settings etc.

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked on
the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer system,
but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one computer to
another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the PC
(I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do a
clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard,
you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files
to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro
to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I
went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and
lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting
again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Curious]

I understand what you want to do, however, the problem is not in
transferring programs and data it is in not transferring registry entries
which control your programs which therefore require you to reinstall the
programs themselves.

Yes, but as I said in my initial post, I did that the last time I switched
over and it was a) an exceptionally lengthy process and b) left a lot of
clutter from my XP install lurking in various folders.

Experience with Microsoft OSs since Windows 386 has taught me to never do
that, just back everything up that you want to keep, such as your files
and settings and then blow the old version away. Then do a clean install
of the new one and then import your backed up files and settings. That
way nothing that was a bit broken doesn't get carried over into the new OS
or indeed a clean install of the old one.

I do a blow out of my OS at least every 6 months as I just seam to build
up clutter (particularly in the registry) left from apps I have evaluated
and development stuff I do myself. It's well worth a good clearout every 6
months as it forces you to a) implement your backup and disaster recovery
strategy and b) you get a much better performing system.

(MS please take note - Windows 7 should implement a faster registry that
automatically deletes dross that it knows should be removed when apps are.
I am convinced that along with disk drive file bloat the other major
reason why your PC slows down on Windows over time is down to the
cumulative effect of hunting through billions of registry settings. Oh and
while I'm on a Windows 7 rant, please give us reasonably competent Windows
users the ability to turn off the display of icons in Explorer and Vista's
need to scan every subfolder of your disk when you just want to open the
next layer down in a folder hierarchy particularly frustrating on DVDs and
CDs with huge amounts of folders with thousands of small files)

I want a clean install of Vista and then to import my documents and
settings to it, causing the minimum of upset to my shiny new OS.

Siv

AFAIK If you are upgrading an XP system to 32 bit Vista all of your
existing settings etc. should be carried along. Only a clean install of
32bit or 64 bit vista will not carry along your existing settings etc.

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked
on the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer
system, but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one
computer to another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the
PC (I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do
a clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv


No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard, you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your
XP files to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro
to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I
went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and
lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting
again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista
FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files,
or should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Siv]

I fully accept I will have to re-install the apps, in fact I would want to,
as an XP install of an app may not work when upgraded to Vista, I'd rather
install everything again (omitting loads of crap I have tried but now don't
want in the new install).

My new installation on Vista will be a much leaner affair than what I have
on XP at the moment. certainly in terms of the apps loaded. I suspect the
Windows code is a lot more bloated than XP, Vista has certainly taken some
stick for its bulk compared to XP. Another thing I am sure MS will fix when
they get round to doing Windows 7.

Hopefully they'll send all the bloody Mac fanboys back to Apple and we'll
get to a decent "function over form" version of Windows, not the other way
around! If I wanted Mac OSX I'd buy a Mac so leave all the "me too" stuff
out of Windows. Who actually wants transparent Window Borders??? If you do
you should call yourself Jane and get a dress and go work in trendy graphics
house.

Bah humbug!

Siv

I understand what you want to do, however, the problem is not in
transferring programs and data it is in not transferring registry entries
which control your programs which therefore require you to reinstall the
programs themselves.

Yes, but as I said in my initial post, I did that the last time I
switched over and it was a) an exceptionally lengthy process and b) left
a lot of clutter from my XP install lurking in various folders.

Experience with Microsoft OSs since Windows 386 has taught me to never do
that, just back everything up that you want to keep, such as your files
and settings and then blow the old version away. Then do a clean install
of the new one and then import your backed up files and settings. That
way nothing that was a bit broken doesn't get carried over into the new
OS or indeed a clean install of the old one.

I do a blow out of my OS at least every 6 months as I just seam to build
up clutter (particularly in the registry) left from apps I have evaluated
and development stuff I do myself. It's well worth a good clearout every
6 months as it forces you to a) implement your backup and disaster
recovery strategy and b) you get a much better performing system.

(MS please take note - Windows 7 should implement a faster registry that
automatically deletes dross that it knows should be removed when apps
are. I am convinced that along with disk drive file bloat the other major
reason why your PC slows down on Windows over time is down to the
cumulative effect of hunting through billions of registry settings. Oh
and while I'm on a Windows 7 rant, please give us reasonably competent
Windows users the ability to turn off the display of icons in Explorer
and Vista's need to scan every subfolder of your disk when you just want
to open the next layer down in a folder hierarchy particularly
frustrating on DVDs and CDs with huge amounts of folders with thousands
of small files)

I want a clean install of Vista and then to import my documents and
settings to it, causing the minimum of upset to my shiny new OS.

Siv

AFAIK If you are upgrading an XP system to 32 bit Vista all of your
existing settings etc. should be carried along. Only a clean install of
32bit or 64 bit vista will not carry along your existing settings etc.
Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked
on the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer
system, but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one
computer to another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the
PC (I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and
do a clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv


No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard, you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your
XP files to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP
Pro to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when
I went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago
and lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and
starting again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista
FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files,
or should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then after
installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the disc or
external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked on
the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer system,
but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one computer to
another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the PC
(I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do a
clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard,
you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files to
move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good blowing
away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro to Vista
will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I went from my
original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and lots of stuff
was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting again with a
clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Curious]

If a clean install is done without reformatting the partition won't all of
the old files be saved in the Windows.old folder?

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then after
installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the disc or
external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked on
the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer system,
but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one computer to
another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the PC
(I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do a
clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard,
you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files
to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro
to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I
went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and
lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting
again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Siv]

Richard,
In your earlier post you say use the Vista CD, where does the Easy Transfer
stuff live on that?
Siv

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then after
installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the disc or
external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked on
the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer system,
but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one computer to
another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the PC
(I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do a
clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv

No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard,
you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your XP files
to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro
to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I
went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and
lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting
again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files, or
should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Siv]

I will use the following procedure after the advice given by Richard Harper:

1. Use the Easy Transfer application off the Vista DVD to backup my settings
to my server's hard drive via the network.

2. Backup manually all my documents (I never let the FSTW or ET applications
do this as they seem to compress them into a format that only they can use).
I like my important data in its native format as separate files. I learnt
that lesson years ago when I let an old version of Windows 3.11 compress my
drive to get more space and then something corrupted the file and I lost
everything. Taught me a solid IT lesson, never have your only copy of your
data in a compressed archive in 1 big file as you have all your eggs in one
basket. It only takes one bad disk sector to corrupt a few bytes of that
archive and the whole archive is potentially toast! If the files are copied
to a disk individually and you have one bad disk sector, chances are it will
only affect one file, not the whole lot.

3. Format the OS disk in my PC (I have one disk for the OS and a separate
one for the data, but I still back up my data to the server before starting
.... just in case!)

4. Install Vista Ultimate to the OS disk.

5. Install all my applications as near as possible to the same locations on
Vista.

6. Use Easy Transfer to bring my settings back from the server.

I suspect the odd thing will lose its settings, but as long as my IE7 data
has all my favourites and Word Excel and Visual Studio 2005 work with their
settings I'm good to go! Outlook data is on my Small Business Server 2003
and will come back when I reconnect to my domain. I have applied the patch
to SBS that makes it work properly with SBS2003.

The only thing I have problems with is SQL Server 2000 which I am forced to
keep running, as a client I develop for still uses that and isn't likely to
go to SQL Server 2005 any time soon. Luckily I can run this on my SBS box
so as long as the client tools will install on Vista I should be OK. If not
I'll have to use remote desktop to run the client tools directly from the
server.

Cheers,

Siv

If a clean install is done without reformatting the partition won't all of
the old files be saved in the Windows.old folder?

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then after
installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the disc or
external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked
on the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer
system, but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one
computer to another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the
PC (I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do
a clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv


No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard, you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your
XP files to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro
to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I
went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and
lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting
again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista
FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files,
or should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Frankly, you got me. I just pop it in, select the "Transfer files and
settings from another computer" selection on the title screen, and go.
Yeah, it's worded badly but that's how it works. ;-)

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
In your earlier post you say use the Vista CD, where does the Easy
Transfer stuff live on that?
Siv

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then after
installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the disc or
external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked
on the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer
system, but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one
computer to another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the
PC (I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and do
a clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv


No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard, you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your
XP files to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP Pro
to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when I
went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago and
lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and starting
again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista
FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files,
or should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Siv]

Richard,

Successfully upgraded to Vista over the weekend and used the Easy Transfer
as you recommended.
Basically I just inserted the Vista CD, when the autorun starts you have a
screen that offers to install Vista and also at the bottom a link to start
Easy Transfer. It's a bit worrying at first as it seems to assume you are
transferring using a cable or a network, but if you work your way through
you get the option to save to a disk/folder on a network which is what I
did.

After I had backed up my settings and documents I blew away everything of my
old XP install and did a clean Vista install.

I then installed all my usual apps and got them all working.

Finally I used the installed Vista version of Easy Transfer (Programs |
Accessories | System Tools | Windows Easy Transfer) and did the reverse
process to bring my settings back from the server.

All working fine now!

Cheers for your help.


Siv

Frankly, you got me. I just pop it in, select the "Transfer files and
settings from another computer" selection on the title screen, and go.
Yeah, it's worded badly but that's how it works. ;-)

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
In your earlier post you say use the Vista CD, where does the Easy
Transfer stuff live on that?
Siv

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then
after installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the disc
or external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked
on the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer
system, but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one
computer to another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the
PC (I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and
do a clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I am
either updating over the top of the XP install or between two separate
computers.

Cheers,
Siv


No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard, you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your
XP files to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried it
when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP
Pro to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours when
I went from my original XP pro to the first release about a year ago
and lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting and
starting again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista
FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files,
or should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Glad to hear that it all worked out well for you. Best of luck as you move
forward!

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,

Successfully upgraded to Vista over the weekend and used the Easy Transfer
as you recommended.
Basically I just inserted the Vista CD, when the autorun starts you have a
screen that offers to install Vista and also at the bottom a link to start
Easy Transfer. It's a bit worrying at first as it seems to assume you are
transferring using a cable or a network, but if you work your way through
you get the option to save to a disk/folder on a network which is what I
did.

After I had backed up my settings and documents I blew away everything of
my old XP install and did a clean Vista install.

I then installed all my usual apps and got them all working.

Finally I used the installed Vista version of Easy Transfer (Programs |
Accessories | System Tools | Windows Easy Transfer) and did the reverse
process to bring my settings back from the server.

All working fine now!

Cheers for your help.


Siv

Frankly, you got me. I just pop it in, select the "Transfer files and
settings from another computer" selection on the title screen, and go.
Yeah, it's worded badly but that's how it works. ;-)

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

Richard,
In your earlier post you say use the Vista CD, where does the Easy
Transfer stuff live on that?
Siv

Use a CD, DVD, external drive, whatever to save the files on. Then
after installing Vista, use EasyTransfer to read the files from the
disc or external device you saved them to.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Richard,
Thanks for the reply, is there any useful procedure for this? I looked
on the Microsoft website and they have a section on the EasyTransfer
system, but it seems to assume that you are transferring from one
computer to another.

I am needing to back up my settings first to something external to the
PC (I.e. my network server share) and then blow the computer away and
do a clean install.

I have googled this and pretty much every thing I can find assumes I
am either updating over the top of the XP install or between two
separate computers.

Cheers,
Siv


No, Vista cannot read files from the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard, you need to use the Vista CD and EasyTransfer to back up your
XP files to move them to Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


Hi,
As SP1 looms, it's probably time to go back to Vista after I tried
it when on the Beta and RC releases and had a few problems with
compatibility with other bits of kit.

I am at the point where my XP Pro install is probably due a good
blowing away and re-installing. I am aware that just upgrading XP
Pro to Vista will be very time consuming (took well over 3 hours
when I went from my original XP pro to the first release about a
year ago and lots of stuff was messed up and I ended up reformatting
and starting again with a clean install).

This is my conceptual plan:

* This time I want to back up my settings with the "file & settings
transfer wizard" on the XP box to one of my server shares.

* Back up all my important document stuff to the server.

* Then I will format everything on my PC and clean install Vista
Ultimate.

* Finally restore my settings back from the server using the Vista
FSTW

Presumably the Vista FSTW equivalent can read the XP versions files,
or should I expect troubles trying to do this?

What is the best advice?

Cheers

Siv