Transferring files to a new computer

My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

--

PT

PT wrote:
My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which
will almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the
files without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance,
Acronis, AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the
OS has changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to
reinstall them?

If you have the installation media and the product keys/serial numbers - and
your license for said products allows the transfer to another machine (or
install on multiple machines at the same time) - then you should have no
problem installing and utilizing said applications.

However - that will greatly depend on many things - including compatibility
with the new OS, licensing, support from the vendor, etc.

Quite the cross-post, BTW.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:41:48 -0800, "PT" wrote:

My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.


No. Not even if the operating system is the same.

You will need to install the applications you want on the new computer



In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?


In general, there's no issue with that at all. You normally have a
license for a single installation, and you simply uninstall it on the
old computer and install it on the new one.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

"PT" wrote in message ...
| My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which will
| almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.
|
| I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
| without problems.
|
| But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
| activation?
|
| On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
| AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.
|
| Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
| changed.
|
| In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
| them?
|
| --
|
| PT

Files transfer, programs do not. You have to re-install most programs (there are few that will
copy, but most don't) using the original installation CD's. Technically you have to uninstall these
programs from your old computer to meet the rule.

If you did not keep the installation disk jacket, with the product code, I would download and
install Belarc Adviser on the old computer first. Belarc Advisor (www.belarc.com) will provide you
a list of installed software and their product codes.

You have to manually reinstall the Programs on to the new computer, from the
original Media, or download/install again(Adobe, AVG, etc).

You can not transfer them by Windows Easy transfer, etc..
--
Mad Mike


"PT" wrote:

My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

--

PT

On Dec 14, 10:41*am, "PT" wrote:
My current machine runs WindowsXP. *I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit *and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? *Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

--

PT


Once you have a new OS, then you need to reinstall all your
programs.

---------------------------------
Gerard Espinas
"What Are Your Most Common Computer Problems?"
http://ebizac.com/x/t.php/7233

On Dec 14, 7:41*am, "PT" wrote:
My current machine runs WindowsXP. *I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit *and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? *Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

--

PT

Before you move first you need compatable drivers for windows xp to
work on vista based computer.also a disk management program to
partition drives.Then all the installation media for softwares and OS
to install them.then you are ready to go.Windows xp should be a Retail
copy.

"PT" wrote in message
...
My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance,
Acronis, AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

--

PT


File and settings transfer wizard is meant for user files, not ALL 3rd party
application system files and any registry entries made by 3rd party
application installations. If you are under the impression that such will
make such alterations, you are mistaken in intepretation.

Your only alternative is to install the 3rd party applications anew
including Office 2003. Oddly, its not needed to use the portion of the
wizard regarding file association as the 3rd party application installation
does all that for you anyway. After all this is done, transfer your user
files that are used by thiese applications.

All of the above are in regards to XP installation and its wizard, not
Vista. You need to go to a Vista group for its wizard details.
--
Dave

"PT" wrote:

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

Only a very few, very basic programs can be copied from computer to
computer and still run. This is not (primarily, anyway) because of
activation, but because installation of these programs makes LOTS of
registry entries, and the programs won't work properly without them.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

That would depend on the vendors. I hope not, but some will probably
be PITAs.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)

http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

What Microsoft should (try) to do is:

1. Make it possible for users to install all applications into a "disk"
image.

2. All settings are stored inside the "disk" image as well.

3. Somehow mount the disk image in windows.

4. When the disk image is mounted windows reads all the "registry" tweaks
and integrates it into windows.

5. When the disk image is unmounted windows remove it again.

This would allow transferring of software installation by simply
copieing/transferring one single file !

Easy to do for users and much more "thrustworthy".

You know everything was transferred !

Bye,
Skybuck.

Some programs (especially adobe) require you to de-activate and then
re-activate on the new computer.

K
--
Disclaimer: The information has been posted "as is" with no warranties or
guarantees and doesn''t give any rights.



"PT" wrote:

My current machine runs WindowsXP. I plan to buy a new one which will
almost certainly come with Vista pre-installed.

I'm aware of MS and other utilities which purport to transfer the files
without problems.

But what is the situation with the numerous programs which require
activation?

On my computer there are numerous such programs from Adobe, Nuance, Acronis,
AVG, Intuit and of course MS Office 2003 among others.

Will they transfer directly? Somehow I doubt it, especially if the OS has
changed.

In that case, do I have to argue with the vendors to be able to reinstall
them?

--

PT

just get Acronis True Image once you have your install up and working, make
an image/clone your set.

"Skybuck Flying" wrote:

What Microsoft should (try) to do is:

1. Make it possible for users to install all applications into a "disk"
image.

2. All settings are stored inside the "disk" image as well.

3. Somehow mount the disk image in windows.

4. When the disk image is mounted windows reads all the "registry" tweaks
and integrates it into windows.

5. When the disk image is unmounted windows remove it again.

This would allow transferring of software installation by simply
copieing/transferring one single file !

Easy to do for users and much more "thrustworthy".

You know everything was transferred !

Bye,
Skybuck.

That does not really work if the two computers do not have exactly the same hardware.

"sgopus" wrote in message
...
| just get Acronis True Image once you have your install up and working, make
| an image/clone your set.
|
| "Skybuck Flying" wrote:
|
| What Microsoft should (try) to do is:
|
| 1. Make it possible for users to install all applications into a "disk"
| image.
|
| 2. All settings are stored inside the "disk" image as well.
|
| 3. Somehow mount the disk image in windows.
|
| 4. When the disk image is mounted windows reads all the "registry" tweaks
| and integrates it into windows.
|
| 5. When the disk image is unmounted windows remove it again.
|
| This would allow transferring of software installation by simply
| copieing/transferring one single file !
|
| Easy to do for users and much more "thrustworthy".
|
| You know everything was transferred !
|
| Bye,
| Skybuck.
|
|
|
|

What two computers? he only mentioned one. just mounting and unmounting a
drive.

"Richard in AZ" wrote:

That does not really work if the two computers do not have exactly the same hardware.

"sgopus" wrote in message
...
| just get Acronis True Image once you have your install up and working, make
| an image/clone your set.
|
| "Skybuck Flying" wrote:
|
| What Microsoft should (try) to do is:
|
| 1. Make it possible for users to install all applications into a "disk"
| image.
|
| 2. All settings are stored inside the "disk" image as well.
|
| 3. Somehow mount the disk image in windows.
|
| 4. When the disk image is mounted windows reads all the "registry" tweaks
| and integrates it into windows.
|
| 5. When the disk image is unmounted windows remove it again.
|
| This would allow transferring of software installation by simply
| copieing/transferring one single file !
|
| Easy to do for users and much more "thrustworthy".
|
| You know everything was transferred !
|
| Bye,
| Skybuck.
|
|
|
|

2 PCs are suggested in the header, and, specifically stated in the original
post text.

"Skybuck Flying" subsequent reply did not contain the original post. Of
which, is the subsequent thread content from there, and, listed below.

--
Dave

2008 Focus , 5 spd no frills coupe- to date per fillup - 33 mpg low - 39 mpg
high.

How much CO footprint to remove and transport basic materials for batteries
and to manufacture the batteries for the Ford Fusion and any other hybrid?

"sgopus" wrote in message
...
What two computers? he only mentioned one. just mounting and unmounting a
drive.

"Richard in AZ" wrote:

That does not really work if the two computers do not have exactly the
same hardware.

"sgopus" wrote in message
...
| just get Acronis True Image once you have your install up and working,
make
| an image/clone your set.
|
| "Skybuck Flying" wrote:
|
| What Microsoft should (try) to do is:
|
| 1. Make it possible for users to install all applications into a
"disk"
| image.
|
| 2. All settings are stored inside the "disk" image as well.
|
| 3. Somehow mount the disk image in windows.
|
| 4. When the disk image is mounted windows reads all the "registry"
tweaks
| and integrates it into windows.
|
| 5. When the disk image is unmounted windows remove it again.
|
| This would allow transferring of software installation by simply
| copieing/transferring one single file !
|
| Easy to do for users and much more "thrustworthy".
|
| You know everything was transferred !
|
| Bye,
| Skybuck.
|
|
|
|