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How to set up a new PC in one easy session

Sep. 23, 2008 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Ed Bott takes on the task of starting off fresh with a new PC and, always, offers up some great advice. This is one to file away for that eventual do-over.

Over the years, I’ve done this process dozens of times for business clients, family members, friends, and neighbors. I’ve got the process down to a series of checklists, all built around some core principles. First, this is a great opportunity to get rid of clutter and get a fresh start. Second, the best way to transfer data from the old machine to the new one is by physically attaching the old hard drive to the new PC. And finally, spending time upfront figuring out what needs to be transferred and what doesn’t can save hours of time and headaches later.

Trying to do large-scale data transfers with USB flash drives and cables can be problematic, especially on old, slow, problem-plagued machines. Why spend hours moving tens or hundreds of gigabytes of data from the old machine to a USB drive only to have to do it again with the new PC? Skip the two-step and do what I do: bring along a SATA/IDE-to-USB converter. Newegg sells Syba’s version of this device for around $20 including shipping. I own a couple and can recommend them without hesitation. An external power supply feeds the DC connector on the drive, and a two-headed adapter lets you connect any SATA or IDE drive directly to a USB port on the new PC. While the contents of the old computer are transferring to a folder on the new PC, you can tackle other tasks.

That tidbit alone is worth the price of admission. Good stuff!

...

This [entire process] rarely takes more than a few hours, and when I’m done the client has usually learned some important skills along the way, making it more likely that they’ll be able to steer clear of trouble in the future.

Exactly. Anyone who makes more of this is just wasting their time. I have to continually re-install PCs because of all the testing I do, and while certain tasks (installing Windows, apps) do take some time, that’s not something a typical user will do very often. This isn’t as painful as people make it out to be.

Discuss this Article 45

tayme
on Sep 23, 2008
Nice article. I am waiting for the first - "With a Mac blah, blah, blah" comment in an attmept to turn this into another flame war like the comments on the original article. (Maybe I just did that, sorry). Having used a similar process on both Windows and OS X PC's, it is wise to have a plan. Relying solely on the built in transfer tools is not the best solution, either. Again - good stuff. Its this type of article tht got me reading you in the first place, Paul. --tayme
DRWAM
on Sep 23, 2008
I setup 3 Vista PC's [for average users]. As I've posted before, I was impressed that Vista setup everything itself. Not just automatically, but before I attempted. It detected the WiFi and asked to set it up. I think when first attempting to print, it may have auto detected the network printer rather than ask, but it found it instantly either way, which was wonderful. Although I have more knowledge than the average user, my uses are about the same. Here's where I'm going with this. the average user probably wants ease and speed, but knows nothing what's under the hood, and could care less. Vista's graphics are eye pleasing, which will draw more home users' attention. It looks nice. if it is stable, speedy and fits the uses and price, then people will want it. After that comes security. World knowledge of better security is also a draw. Compatibility and less bugs is closer to the bottom. The setup ease and looks [graphics] are most important to Joe average, and Vista has it and future OS's must continue the trend. As apps and functions become increasingly complex and toolbars get cluttered, companies making the OS or must must not forget the average population with little or basic knowledge. That's why i think it's important to provide a 'Basic' mode and 'Advanced' mode for many apps, so it's easier for the novice. they will spread the word [usually out of pride of their accomplishment] and more will take a look. Doc
DRWAM
on Sep 23, 2008
BTW, Rite Aid is selling compact fluorescent lights for 99 cents in 3 sizes, the 26w equals a 100w incandescent light, but they have 20w [equals 75w incand] and I think the smallest is 13w [60w incand equiv]. They have a spiral appearance. Save money and energy to save the world. Save the cheerleader and save the world. [If she ever needs mouth to mouth, it will take at least five of you to pull me off her]
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
DRWAM, Cool. I've been neading some 26w CFLs for some places where the smaller ones are a little too dim. I hope it's a national sale and not just regional.
bettieblu
on Sep 23, 2008
I use the same method as I have upgraded many friends and family. The device I use is about the same with some fancy lights on it.... http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/U2NV2SPATA/ After asking what they want moved on the old PC, I just shut it down and pull the drive. The best thing is, you give them their old Hard Drive in a static bag and say "if I missed something its here" they like the security of having the old drive with all of the data. I also use it to upgrade notebook drives a lot on Macs. You plug in the new notebook drive 2.5inch SATA, into the device, they you use this free program... http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html which makes a bootable clone on the new drive attached via USB to the device. Shutdown the notebook, swap the drives and the upgrade is done, complete with a backup on the old drive. Good stuff.
DRWAM
on Sep 23, 2008
Mike, these are very bright. The first start took a few seconds to fully illuminate, but the subsequent ones lit up brightly very quickly. I bought 2 doz, but the wife did not like the look in the recessed areas, although they make more expensive flood cfl's. I must admit, the first Vista startup was more exciting, since everything just worked, and I was setting up for a friend. You gotta love it when that happens. I wanted to setup, and leave quickly, but I wanted to stay and play once I saw Vista for the first time. We boys and our toys!
nutts
on Sep 23, 2008
I'm amazed you still have to do this whole rigmarole when moving from one machine to another. Why is there still no cable-based data transfer assistant available? Tayme: "Nice article. I am waiting for the first - "With a Mac blah, blah, blah" comment" You mean like my process when I moved from my Macbook to Macbook Pro? 1. Reboot the MacBook with the T key held down 2. Plug a FireWire cable between the two machines 3. During setup on the Macbook Pro, select the 'transfer data from another Mac' option 4. Select what you want transferred, with options including: - User directory - User accounts - Settings/Preferences - Applications 5. Sit back and wait Of course this doesn't work with the MacBook Air as it has no FireWire port. Instead I believe it works in a similar way but over wireless. That'll take some time but at least it can be left overnight. Quite a contrast in user-friendliness really. I can't really see my retired parents for example using a SATA/IDE-to-USB converter to move their data.
RunTimeError
on Sep 23, 2008
WITH A MAC... ... I have to reinstall just as much as I do on my Windows boxes. That article is pretty excellent.
scoobyclub
on Sep 23, 2008
Some people see fiddling with the bits as part of the fun, bit like an old car mechanic and his Austin Healey. I've been there, it's a bit like solving a puzzle and you can get kicks out of it. For me after a while it just got old and pointless but at least I do have the skills now if need be. First time a tried the firewire transfer I was just like "wow, is it really this easy?".
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
nutts "Why is there still no cable-based data transfer assistant available?" There is. It showed up in Windows XP and an updated version shipped in Windows Vista. So, you can stop being amazed.
tayme
on Sep 23, 2008
I don't believe that this article was meant for the "Average Joe" user. It was meant for those of us that not only provide support as a career, but are also the family and neighborhood support person. I think that this was pretty well explained by the author. Those of us that do this type of "support" know that most "Average Joe" users tend to neglect directory and file management and data backup...this is one way to help them get thier stuff back upon an full system upgrade. --tayme
scoobyclub
on Sep 23, 2008
It's true enough there is a similar transfer scheme in XP, I don't know how well it works. The questions therefore are :- 1. Why does your average windows user not know it's there? 2. If it works well, why the need for the article above?
Cfischer83
on Sep 23, 2008
Mac's Migration Assistant is a nice concept but it only works on half the stuff! If you have a php/mysql server running on it the same as I do (a full fledged legit one, not something lame like XAMPP) you'll have to spend 4 more hours setting that up to. Stick with Windows, much less frustrating!
lotsamystuff
on Sep 23, 2008
@ Paul: Those adapters are excellent; I always have a couple lying around. Incredibly useful little creatures. @Runtime: "WITH A MAC...I have to reinstall just as much as I do on my Windows boxes." @tayme Nice article. I am waiting for the first - "With a Mac blah, blah, blah" comment in an attmept to turn this into another flame war like the comments on the original article. I'd normally ignore flame bait like this, but runtime is wrong--it's very easy on the Mac. And tayme, I'm not trying to start a flame war, nor have I read the comments on Ed's article, but I will say this: The Mac's Migration Assistant copies over programs, passwords, user accounts, drivers...basically EVERYTHING in one easy step. Having just done this less than three weeks ago, I can tell you it's almost like magic. No writing down of serial numbers, login information, "custom settings to connect to the Internet", exporting address books, or any of the other cumbersome steps Ed talks about going through. Seriously, it really is as simple as connecting a cable and pushing a button. Every document, music file, movie, etc. was right where I left it on the old system--right down to my unorganized desktop and background pattern. It was like running the old system only faster. I haven't had to migrate a PC yet. Ed's guide, while excellent, was shocking to me because I had assumed Microsoft made it as easy as it is on the Mac. Is there a better solution available, or do you really have to follow all those steps? That's not me being smarmy...and I'd be very happy to be wrong on this one, since I plan on replacing my aging PC early next year. I can't believe the hoops he had to jump through. Is that article for real?
gorath
on Sep 23, 2008
@scoobyclub and nutts, the article is regarding re-installing an OS. Your step by step guide is for transferring your data from one machine to another.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
lotsa Windows Easy Transfer does all the stuff you're talking about. In fact, if you use the Belkin transfer cable, it even starts the program on both PCs when you plug it in. Of course, if you don't buy the cable you can use USB or a network or even burn a set of transfer CDs.
tayme
on Sep 23, 2008
@lotsa - I haven't had to use it, but it does exist. I usually set up a user with WL1C in order to do backups. If they do not have an external drive or remember to put a writable DVD or CD in on the day of the scheduled backup, I let them know that I will only be able to get the data off the hard drive if it is not the culprit. If they do all of the data is easily recoverable. Regarding system settings and drivers...due to the huge number of possible hardware configurations, this is just not as easy in Windows, but I have seen it done with a lot of effort. I would really like to try it with Time Machine on a Mac, but I only have 1 Intel Mac and 1 G5 Mac...I don't think it would work, except for the data. I could be wrong, though...I haven't looked that deeply into it. At work, its a whole different story. Users, including the few Mac users that we have, are trained not to save anything that they consider critical to the local drive, but to save it to network shares. Troubleshooting is kept to a 30 minute maximum, then the PC is re-imaged or replaced. No attempt is made to recover data from the local drive...and that has been enforced all the way to the top. I don't do daily desktop support any longer, so I can't speak to the tools used for imaging. --tayme
tayme
on Sep 23, 2008
@mikegalos - Is that a built in tool or third party? I'd be curious to give it a try. Like I said, I don't do day to day desktop support anymore, so I am a bit out of touch. I do support a miriad of friends, family, neighbors, etc... --tayme
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
tayme Built-in tool (although, obviously, the Belkin cable is 3rd party and optional) It's on the Welcome Center top center as Transfer Files and Settings If you've turned the Welcome center off, it's also available at: Start Menu/Accessories/System Tools/Windows Easy Transfer
lotsamystuff
on Sep 23, 2008
@mikegalos: "Windows Easy Transfer does all the stuff you're talking about." Seriously, then...why Ed's convoluted "explanation" that only makes it seem much more difficult than it actually is? I'm not being facetious, FWIW.
Nickelgreen
on Sep 23, 2008
This is quite a practical solution, I should try it myself when it will come the case. I've done these task lots of times and every time in a different way. Windows Easy Transfer looks great on paper but I frankly never experienced that. I like a lot coustomizing/setting PCs and people are always happy after this.
RunTimeError
on Sep 23, 2008
@lotsa: "I'd normally ignore flame bait like this, but runtime is wrong--it's very easy on the Mac." Dude, I wasn't trying to start a flame war, I was simply stating that I have to give both the Windows and Mac OS's a reinstall every so often and that the article was excellent. No mention of anyone's migration assistants were made.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
lotsa Ed's method is more flexible and faster (unless you use a REALLY fast network connection with Easy Transfer) Like most things optimized to be easy for an average user, there's a lot more flexibility in a manual process done by an experienced pro. We spent multiple passes in usability labs and alpha users' homes getting OneCare to be easy without losing functionality and flexibility. For a one-time process like transfer, easy is most important.
shark47
on Sep 23, 2008
Didn't Microsoft release a Windows Easy Transfer Companion for transferring programs and then take the software down from their download sites? I thought Windows Easy Transfer does only files and settings.
tayme
on Sep 23, 2008
@mikegalos - Hey, you see...we can all have civil discussions on here. A lot of good information was shared, without too much bickering. Thanks for the info! --tayme
shark47
on Sep 23, 2008
Yup: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=497
scoobyclub
on Sep 23, 2008
@Gorath No it isn't it starts "Fellow ZDNet blogger Jason Perlow helped a friend and colleague buy a new PC and migrate her data and settings from the old machine" and then describes he migrates data. My point is feature for feature there is not much difference between OS X and Windows. How they are implemented and presented ( or not ) is where much of the difference lies. If we were talking OS installs I insert CD, restart holding down C, click OK, OK, Agree and wait for an hour or so while it bakes. That is all. In the comments Ed Bott also says this "I've used Windows Easy Transfer before. For some situations, it works well, but it does not transfer apps, only data and settings. On a system like this one, with multiple problems, I think the clean aproach I outline is greatly preferred" Migration Assistant gives you a new machine, looking exactly like your old machine, in three easy steps and you don't have to look for it as it asks you after the OS install.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
Looks like I'm out of date. Mea Culpa. (I haven't done a transfer in a while since all the people I support - family, friends... - have been on Vista since early 2007)
chuckb84
on Sep 23, 2008
WIthout the flames, I'm actually curious. On a Mac, I move from one computer as described by "nutts", "During setup on the Macbook Pro, select the 'transfer data from another Mac' option". There's really nothing to it. The partitioning of user vs. system space makes the process automatic and flawless. (As Cfischer83 points out, Migration Assistant does NOT touch anything outside of what apple regards as the "user space", so Unix customization like sql or TeX installs don't get transferred, but that doesn't affect most users.) If Windows has, as Mike says, a similar tool, what is the point of the Ed Bott article? Contrary to one post above, Ed's article is specifically about NEW PCs, not an OS reinstall, so why not just use Windows Easy Transfer?
DRWAM
on Sep 23, 2008
Either way, you need some cable unless you move the drive. It' just that some, like Belkin is more than a cable. I got a USB to IDE adapter with a power adapter as well, took out the IDE drive from my G4 and connected to my Mac Pro Tower. Then I used the Migration Asst. and let it move everything, including programs and settings. It took about 20 or 30 minutes. At the end, my new computer had the same desktop with the icons in the exact same place as the old computer, and all the programs moved. However, some were not compatible with Tiger. On a friends PC, we used the XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to send data to an external drive, but programs did not get sent. However, I saw the Belkin adapter [USB2] and it sent everything, including the programs, settings, bookmarks, etc... from XP to Vista, and she said that her desktop look identical as well. She committed suicide a few months later so I don't have any more follow up. Did anything change with Vista? I guess it doesn't matter as you need some type of cable so you may as well buy something like Belkin's, but many more are avaible like that from Syba and others. that i unless you open up both computers and install the old drive into the new one.
lotsamystuff
on Sep 23, 2008
"I've used Windows Easy Transfer before. For some situations, it works well, but it does not transfer apps, only data and settings." Ugh. There's the rub. I have a folder full of printouts of serial numbers from software I've purchased on the InterTubes; I can't imagine how I'd ever transfer those apps Ed's way if that folder ever came up missing. That's the beauty of Migration Assistant...the apps come over with their serial numbers intact. No need to reinstall. Looks like it won't be that easy with the PC, unfortunately. That makes the info here all the more valuable.
shark47
on Sep 23, 2008
Of course, you have 3rd party solutions like this one: http://www.laplink.com/
scoobyclub
on Sep 23, 2008
I suspect, though I may be wrong as I don't take a big interest in OS mechanics, that the separation of OS/Users/Apps/Data etc is cleaner on OS X ( UNIX ) and this facilitates a smoother migration.
lotsamystuff
on Sep 23, 2008
@shark: Sweet. Thanks!
johnbaxter
on Sep 23, 2008
It's likely that Migration Assistant on the Mac will miss things that gurus have installed in Unix places (the MySQL server was mentioned above). That said, my situation on Macs usually calls for Migration Assistant. And MIgration Assistant has been reported to fail miserably for some people. On the other hand, Mac applications are more likely to work after being copied rather than installed (which is why Migration Assistant offers to move them and the Windows tool doesn't). If "installing" was "copy this icon to the Application folder), moving will very likely work. Over the weekend, I moved my work Mail setup (including saved messages) from user xxx on my Tiger machine to user yyy on my iMac (different names AND numeric IDs). That was target disk mode, copy a file and two folders, and fiddle with ownerships in Terminal, and Migration Assistant would not have helped. (The iMac had weeks earlier been migrated from my Mac Mini). Note that Ed's article includes what he does when commissioning a fresh machine without migration (or at least some of it). Getting rid of the unwanted-ware takes a lot of time and comes first. I notice he didn't advocate his full-on job (wipe machine, install Windows, install needed drivers, etc). Microsoft has been working with OEMs to get them to ship with proper drivers (finally), so that likely isn't needed now. I haven't had occasion to migrate Windows to Windows--the death of my XP laptop was at least 4 years before the early 2007 purchase of my (deliberately cheap) Vista laptop. Something I keep trying to remind people in our local computer club: the old machine does not have to leave the house the moment the new machine seems to be running.
DRWAM
on Sep 23, 2008
Woops, I was wrong, the cable she used was IOGear Smartlink Transfer Cable for Vista - GUN262WV, and she did state that the programs went over, but the documentation at Iogear is not very clear. http://www.buy.com/prod/iogear-smartlink-transfer-cable-for-vista/q/loc/...
DRWAM
on Sep 23, 2008
Also, I failed to mention that I used the IDE to USB adapter cable because I could get the Firewire to work in Target mode. It could have been the cable or the OS, but they were both Tiger. However, these utilities take the fun out of setup. In under 30 minutes, the new computer looked exactly like the old one. It was faster, but the newness was just not there. I am not sure if Apple app will allow you chose or not chose the apps you wish to transfer as well as files. I just allowed to migrate everything. I couldn't imagine hand picking stuff, only for it to fail. If that occurred, there would be a comet siting, but it would have been my new computer.
scoobyclub
on Sep 23, 2008
"However, these utilities take the fun out of setup." That's the sort of fun I can do without but unfortunately I know what you mean. It's the catharsis of everything being "clean" that drives it. Now I have installed Hazel I worry less about the detritus that the system might pick up. If all else fails just breathe in the intoxicating new computer smell and you'll get over it.
whiplash55
on Sep 23, 2008
Speaking of 2.5 inch sata drives, macsales has 320GB 7200 RPM hard drives for 119.99 after rebate. Picked one up for my laptop.http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Hitachi/0A57547/ What ever happen to Aloha Bob software MS bought them a few years ago? It was a great solution.
nutts
on Sep 23, 2008
Well that was a good discussion, with none of the usual "flame war". And I learnt something about Windows Easy Transfer too, which might help eventually when I want to transfer data from our Vista laptop.
gorath
on Sep 23, 2008
@ my superiors ;-) ah, yes, I was mistaken about the re-installation Vs migration - I only skimmed the article. sorry for that.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Sep 23, 2008
DRWAM FYI: The CFL sale at RiteAid must be regional or local. They're full price here.
subzerohitman721
on Sep 23, 2008
I have to say that setting up Vista has been by far one of the easiest setups, period. However, this article is definitely one that I'd like to file away. I tend to blow up and refresh my computers on a regular basis. Many times just to stay in practice, other times just to learn what I can do better each re-install session. Since I've been doing them since my first Windows 95 based PC, I'd like to think I've gotten better of the years. Any tools to take the frustration out is always appreciated and this is just one of many reason why I read Ed Bott. He's just has such a grasp on the PC situation. IMO, Bott has an almost Jedi-Master like wealth of information, analysis, and common sense. Then again, I like a lot of the guys and gals at ZDNet.
jeffhex
on Sep 23, 2008
Did anyone mention Belarc Advisor (www.belarc.com). This nifty little program does a nice software inventory and can pull the registration codes for some programs out of the Windows registry. I find the web page it creates make a useful checklist when I'm moving data from machine to machine.
DRWAM
on Sep 24, 2008
Bummer Mike. I guess I won't email the message to my brothers in Western PA.

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