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Replacing PC's

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by abraxas21 1 view

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What do you use to transfer data file and desktop settings when replacing PC's with a new one using a different operating system? We are replacing many of our Windows 95 PCs with Pentium III/ Windows 2000 systems. I usually sit down with the user and identify which programs they use, move any data files/folders up to the network server, the bring the folders back down after I re-install the software. Any magic bullets out there to ease this 2-3 hour migration?

7 replies

by dmiles

Norton's Ghost can be used to move files,programs or operating systems between machines.The Enterprise editionis designed to load files to multiple machines from a central server
If you install your programs from a fresh install,you can use the programs migrate feature,it will copy your personalize settings
Desktop settings should be reset by the user on the new machine.

by d. brinson

I would recommend having the user always place his/her data files on the network, making the question of transfering files when changing PCs irrelevant. The biggest reason to do this is so that the files will always be backed up on the network server (yes, it is possible to backup the C: drive when the user connects to the network, but in my opinion that is rather time consuming.)

However, if there are valid reasons why the user needs data/programs on his/her hard drive, you could try to standardize the naming conventions. For example, all datafiles under "My Data" and all programs under "My Programs". Then you could write scripts to always move those folders (and their sub folders).

by dcosgrove

ok, this may sound funny, but there is a program called Aloha Bob's PC relocator. I was just reading about it the other day and it sounds like exactly what your looking for. Check it out, it may be the answer. CNET said the test they ran took something like 30 min to do a complete migration.

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