I am currently running Vista Home Basic x64 on an older Socket 754 machine but I am building a new but more modern system and will need to transfer all of my applications, audio, video and backups to it. Trouble is, I don't know where to begin. I've never done this before! I should mention that my new motherboard will have SATA hard drive connectors, which I am going to use and two IDE headers, so they would be available. I checked into using programs like Laplink PC Mover and Intellimover but neither one of those support migrating from x64 to x64. So I called the local computer shop and they suggested that I use a USB IDE enclosure or Caddy and transfer everything through USB. That makes a lot of sense, but I don't know where to look for something like that on the Internet. I'm assuming this device will need to be powered somehow also, most hopefully that would be through AC/DC, but I bet there are other options. like just connecting a Molex, correct? I also already own a removable IDE hard drive enclosure and it has a connector for a Molex and an IDE cable. I imagine I could also use that also, correct? But would my system recognize the drive so I'd be able to access files, then copy them to the new machine? Please advise as to what you think the best (and preferably cheapest) method to go about this. Thank you Jan LaFata

You will need to re-install Vista. Unfortunately none of your programs will run and will also need to be re-installed. Vista is tied to the hardware, which is different, and the apps are tied to Vista. As far as the remaining personal files are concerned you should already have backups of those files. If you don't, now is a good time to create the backups on an External drive, or preferably IMO, on optical disks. Either method will allow you to copy the files to the new computer. I am surprised no one else mentioned re-installing to you. If you were not using SATA drives and totally different hardware you could possibly migrate the old drive to the new computer. This could possibly work by performing a system repair. This would leave Vista on the IDE drive instead of a new SATA II drive, which is faster. Best to install Vista and your apps from scratch.

"Best to install Vista and your apps from scratch." No doubt about it. And I will emphasize that you will have to reinstall all your programs (if you have the 'install' programs). 'Almost' all programs are locked to the system that they are installed on. You cannot move them from one system to another. When you get your new system running, one way to transfer files over, would be to connect them with an inexpensive crossover Ethernet cable. And like Othehill said, backup your files!!!! A second system makes a very safe and convenient way to backup.

Not going to be able to use the same copy of Vista for TWO systems. Using the old computer for a backup machine would require installing a different OS lying around, or buying something.

Hi Othehill. Right, but he could use his current Vista install CD to install the new system. He would have 30 days to copy over his files. Maybe he could use an old Win9X cd, him or a friend has hanging around, to bring up the old system.

aegis I was responding to your comment about using the old rig as a backup server. You would need another OS for that. I was figuring the OP would have both up for a bit while setting up the new rig. As you said you have some time. janlafata If you proceed as we are suggesting be sure to NOT register your new installation of Vista immediately. If you try you will be denied. Wait until you are done loading the new rig. You may need the old one.

"I was responding to your comment about using the old rig as a backup server. You would need another OS for that." Othehill, yes I realized that, thanks for bringing up that problem. That's why I added the part about digging up an old obsolete OS to install. Also, the point about not activating right away was very important! I didn't think about that.