System Migration

[whizkid]

Hey all, my wife is swapping T42's. From 60GB, 802.11BG and XGA to 80GB, 802.11ABG and SXGA+.

I'd like to avoid having to install all the software again. Can I use R&R to do this? I'd be happy to do a device copy and resize the partition too. Third choice would be BackupMyPC, which I have a copy of, but haven't done bare metal restores with. Fourth choice is to use the system migration tool in XP, but that won't keep the applications.

Tips, hints, and pointers to good threads or online HOWTO's much appreciated.

[RealBlackStuff]

Your cheapest (free) option would be to download the 15-day fully working trial from Acronis TrueImage Home V11 (ca. 131MB)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/do ... trueimage/
That can image and resize all in one go from 60GB to 80GB.
You will probably need a 2.5" USB enclosure to do the transfer.

Before you transfer, set your screen resolution to VGA and download the corresponding screen driver from IBM/Lenovo if another driver is required. Install that AFTER the transfer.

Also, download Crap Cleaner from www.ccleaner.com and clean up your Temp files, browser caches etc.
Another space saver would be to either delete the paging file or set it to e.g. 20MB for the transfer.
If you have lots of emails to transfer, compact all the folders before.

[whizkid]

I was hoping someone would pipe in and say "Sure R&R works great!" but Acronis looks like a good product too. Thanks.

[andyP]

I would agree with RealBlackStuff, Acronis is also IMO a very good solution, and alot quicker than R&R. However, I see one possible problem; I know for a fact the german trial version doesn't support usb hdds, is this the case with the english version? If so, I know you can use a hdd bayadapter and boot from usb cd/dvd.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you also have a PC, you could get a cheap 3.5"-2.5" adapter and 'hang' the TP hard disks on an IDE channel in your PC, while using HD-space from your PC for the interim backup.