Create a disk image to load onto a differnet brand of lap top

cadaber · 23. Oct 2013, 03:25 AM

Can someone tell me the best software I should get to accomplish the following:

1) Create a disk image (all software, OS, Programs, etc.)
2) Load onto a different brand of lap top to include different HD

What tools should I acquire prior to attempting this endeavor. I used to use Norton Ghost way back when, but the system is running Win 7 and I haven't done anything like this in a while.

thanks

Anupam · 23. Oct 2013, 09:46 AM

Hi cadaber, welcome to the forum.

What you are trying to achieve might not be easy. While restoring a drive image onto the same hardware is easy, and will work without problems... restoring a drive image from one hardware to another is difficult.. and there is no guarantee whether it will work or not.

This is because the OS installed on one hardware will have drivers for that hardware. When you try to restore that drive image on a different hardware, the drivers for that hardware won't be there in that image, and therefore, there is no telling how the restore image will behave, or if the system will be able to boot or not from the restored image. I hope you got what I am trying to say here.

Anyways, you can take a look at this review for drive imaging software:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...g-software.htm

I have used both Macrium Reflect and Paragon Backup & Recovery successfully. Both have some difference in features, which you can know by reading the review, and their features on their respective sites.

v.laurie · 24. Oct 2013, 03:20 PM

There could be licensing issues. Some commercial software has to be activated and the license restricts installation to one PC. Also Windows could present a problem. An OEM version of Windows is usually restricted to use on the original PC. Also, as Anupam points out, there might be driver problems.

Anupam · 24. Oct 2013, 03:26 PM

Thanks for mentioning these other points Vic

.

got2bjoester · 27. Oct 2013, 07:00 PM

As one who's tried this, I can tell you it's not worth the effort because of the driver issues alone.
Each computer is required to have it's own unique license key (to be legal). The only exception for using a COA key from one machine to another is if the donor computer dies. The COA can be transferred to the new machine.
As pointed out, additional license issues arise.

You are better off using an installation disc and just building from there.

File transfer is pretty easy if the donor computer has been reasonably maintained with respect to file locations.
-side note-
I have my family members use "My Documents" exclusively because that's the only file location I backup to the network.

Program transfers are another story. During the installation process, .dll files are placed in multiple area and the program(s) will not run if only one was forgotten. For that reason, an inventory of the programs you want to install is required and some time on the internet of manipulating CD's.

23. Oct 2013, 03:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
cadaber Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1	Create a disk image to load onto a differnet brand of lap top Can someone tell me the best software I should get to accomplish the following: 1) Create a disk image (all software, OS, Programs, etc.) 2) Load onto a different brand of lap top to include different HD What tools should I acquire prior to attempting this endeavor. I used to use Norton Ghost way back when, but the system is running Win 7 and I haven't done anything like this in a while. thanks

23. Oct 2013, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 14,756	Hi cadaber, welcome to the forum. What you are trying to achieve might not be easy. While restoring a drive image onto the same hardware is easy, and will work without problems... restoring a drive image from one hardware to another is difficult.. and there is no guarantee whether it will work or not. This is because the OS installed on one hardware will have drivers for that hardware. When you try to restore that drive image on a different hardware, the drivers for that hardware won't be there in that image, and therefore, there is no telling how the restore image will behave, or if the system will be able to boot or not from the restored image. I hope you got what I am trying to say here. Anyways, you can take a look at this review for drive imaging software: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...g-software.htm I have used both Macrium Reflect and Paragon Backup & Recovery successfully. Both have some difference in features, which you can know by reading the review, and their features on their respective sites. __________________ Anupam

24. Oct 2013, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
v.laurie Senior Edtor Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,380	There could be licensing issues. Some commercial software has to be activated and the license restricts installation to one PC. Also Windows could present a problem. An OEM version of Windows is usually restricted to use on the original PC. Also, as Anupam points out, there might be driver problems. __________________ Vic

24. Oct 2013, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 14,756	Thanks for mentioning these other points Vic . __________________ Anupam

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27. Oct 2013, 07:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
got2bjoester Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 4	As one who's tried this, I can tell you it's not worth the effort because of the driver issues alone. Each computer is required to have it's own unique license key (to be legal). The only exception for using a COA key from one machine to another is if the donor computer dies. The COA can be transferred to the new machine. As pointed out, additional license issues arise. You are better off using an installation disc and just building from there. File transfer is pretty easy if the donor computer has been reasonably maintained with respect to file locations. -side note- I have my family members use "My Documents" exclusively because that's the only file location I backup to the network. Program transfers are another story. During the installation process, .dll files are placed in multiple area and the program(s) will not run if only one was forgotten. For that reason, an inventory of the programs you want to install is required and some time on the internet of manipulating CD's.