Migrating from 100GB to 200GB HHD & from WinXP to Vista

[baertracks]

I have just purchased the 7K200 for my T60. I also have an ultrabay SATA caddy to hold and use my current 100GB HHD for data backups. I also have external SATA enclosure if I need it.

I've read the topic about cloning from a 100GB to a 200GB drive using Acronis, etc. That process assumes, I assume, that you are using and migrating the same operating system?

I was planning to put Windows Vista Home Preimium on the new HHD. In that case, what's the best way to migrate my programs and data from the old hard drive to the new hard drive. Or, is it best to simply reinstall programs from scratch?

Also, what's your advice on partitioning? I was thinking of creating tow 100 GB partitions, so that I could then backup one partition on my old HHD which would be in the ultrabay. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
FRANK

[DAH]

For me, I wanted the blue 'ThinkVantage' button to work. So I got a set of rescue and recovery cds from Lenovo, and restored the new 7K200 hard drive, to set up the service partition correctly.

Then I loaded the Vista DVD and deleted the IBM preload partition. At this point you can create two partitions if you wish. You might also think about making one about 120 GB, Vista is bigger than XP and needs more room IMHO.

[khaverblad]

Acronis can clone an entire disk and as well expand the partition on the fly to fit the new drive. You can also use Ghost to make copy of the partitions you want to move, including the service partition. Another great tool that can be used is DFSee.

[DAH]

Acronis can clone an entire disk and as well expand the partition on the fly to fit the new drive. You can also use Ghost to make copy of the partitions you want to move, including the service partition. Another great tool that can be used is DFSee.

Agreed however he doesn't want XP. IBM does not recommend upgrading the IBM Preload partition to Vista, many of the default programs create problems. A fresh install for Vista is the way to go.

[khaverblad]

Sorry, missed out that line with vista; but about moving data both Win XP and Vista offers tools to move personal data and information.

[ducky2802]

its messy, but a simple way would be to clone your hdd using acronis, then swap drives to the new one, then upgrade the existing xp to vista. All of your programs will be left intact (for the most part), and while its less than ideal, at least you will have a working machine. Well, some programs may not work (just for thoughts, sometimes cloning the hdd also kills a few registry settings critical for programs).

The best solution would be to install from a vista cd, clean install, install your programs, then image the drive for a base install that you can always revert to after making software changes. However, you would need either an oem vista and all oem ibm software, which means for anything short of a complete ibm recovery cd with vista, you probably wont get. Then again, if you dont need all the IBM oem software, well, all the drivers are at least available for download!

[DAH]

Important: Uninstall the following applications or device drivers before upgrading, otherwise you will encounter problems either during or after the upgrade.

Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus
Sonic DLA
Sierra Wireless WAN adapter driver
Power Management Driver
Lenovo Rescue and Recovery
Lenovo Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore

The following XP applications are not compatible with Windows Vista.

Access Help
Access IBM
Access IBM Message Center
Access Support
Automated Solutions
Away Manager
Battery Maximizer
EasyEject Utility
Help Center
Hotkey Features
IBM Client Security Software
IBM Java Webstart
Keyboard Customizer
Lenovo Care
Lenovo Client Security Solution
PC-Doctor for Windows
Power Management driver for Windows
Presentation Director
Productivity Center
Record Now
Scroll Lock Indicator
Software Installer
System Information Viewer Application
Tablet Shortcut Menu
ThinkPad Configuration
ThinkVantage Access Connections
ThinkVantage Active Protection System
ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software
ThinkVantage System Update
TrackPoint Accessibility Features
UltraNav Wizard
Update Connector

As you can see the list is very extensive, and sadly it is not complete, you can find more on this page here. Now there are many people complaining about Vista, if you truly want a poor experience, then follow the advice of those who tell you to upgrade. If you want the best possible experience, do a clean install. Install vista to a new partition.

[baertracks]

If you want the best possible experience, do a clean install. Install vista to a new partition.

Thanks for all the advice. I opted to first load the new HHD from the Thinkpad Rescue & Recovery CD/DVD, i.e., with the original software, and then did a clean install of Vista. I did not, however, put that into a new partition. Was that a serious mistake?

I was hoping that this approach would maintain the Thinkpad specific programs, e.g., like the ThinkVantage button. However, I now see all those programs were all moved to the "Windows.old" folder during the Vista installation.

Is there anyway to activate them now? Or, are they incompatible and inaccessible?

BTW, I still have my old HDD loaded with Windows XP. If I don't find a satisfactory way to work within Vista, I can always go back to the old HHD.

FRANK

[DAH]

I did not, however, put that into a new partition. Was that a serious mistake?.

Yes. Also you did not do a 'clean' install, that is an install to an empty partition, or a new partition. If you had done a clean install you would not have a "Windows.old" folder.

I was hoping that this approach would maintain the Thinkpad specific programs, e.g., like the ThinkVantage button. However, I now see all those programs were all moved to the "Windows.old" folder during the Vista installation.

As you see it doesn't work, and you now have a registry that has settings for both Windows XP and Vista, which will haunt you forever, IMHO.

Is there anyway to activate them now? Or, are they incompatible and inaccessible?

Generally they are incompatible, and or have been updated. In some cases they have been updated many times.

Again if you want the best Vista experience Delete the partition and recreate either one or two partitions. You can down the drivers from Lonovo, see this page.

[baertracks]

You did not do a 'clean' install...

Rats! I guess that Vista's installation disk definition of a "clean install" is unfortunately a bit different (and misleading).

Thanks for the tips. Now's the time to restart from scratch.

FRANK

[mgo]

I was planning to put Windows Vista Home Preimium on the new HHD. In that case, what's the best wayFRANK

Attempting to migrate programs and files over to another operating system (which is just like migrating over to a new compter) is mostly risky and troublesome. It is best to do it the old fashioned (hard) way for best results.

Having messed with this Vista/XP thing on four different ThinkPads, the -very best thing- to do is:

**FIRST! Back up your personal data to an external drive so you can copy it over to the new Vista drive.

1: partition your new hard drive, leaving enough room on C: for Vista, and your programs. (30-40 gig will do)

2: install Vista on your C: partition, the usual location of an operating system.

3: activate Vista (it's easy to do online) and then make a fresh image of your installation using Acronis or some other program.

4: look on the bottom of your ThinkPad for the model number and other information so you can tell the Lenovo site what your machine is. It will link you to the appropriate page to get your machine specific files and utilities.

5: download and install the various utilities and other necessities and drivers. Don't download programs that you do not plan on using, like Rescue & Recovery or other optional Lenovo programs.

6: after you have those drivers and utilities installed, make another image of your drive, so you can use it in case of a program installation mishap later. (Do not use VIsta's System Restore, it sucks as bad as it did in XP) In fact, just turn it off so you don't waste hard drive space.

7: move Documents (used to be called "My_Documents" in XP) (just right click on Properties to do that...like you can in XP) over to your second partition. That way if you need to re-image later on, your documents won't be disturbed. Also, when you copy your personal files over at the end all this, send them to the 2nd partition as well.
Note: Robocopy is now stand alone on Vista. It is really fast and good for backups and restore jobs. The old XP Explorer-style Copy and Paste, however is miserably slow and is a known bug. How MS let this one out into the world is amazingly bad thinking in their part. (Can you say, "rush to market"?

7: Install your programs. Generally, they will run on Vista with no problems.

8: when you get bored with the silly Aero and Flip 3D on Vista, consider running that new OS with the "Classic" setup. It's faster and easier on the eye and takes less brain power (yours) to navigate around.

As usual. slow the mouse double click to slowest to save you from carpal tunnel and enlarge the blinking carot in Accessibilities so it is easier to see.

Send me a Private Message if you have questions.

[baertracks]

Having messed with this Vista/XP thing on four different ThinkPads, the -very best thing- to do is:

Great suggestions and very clear.

I'm already up to Number 6!

Thanks!

FRANK