Cloning New laptop

[Jeff B]

Hello,
I have a T30 Thinkpad with XP Pro and a bunch of other software. I'm getting a SL500 Thinkpad with Vista loaded, but Lenova will include a XP Pro disc with the new machine(I'm still not ready for Vista). However, can I just clone everything I have on the old T30 onto the new SL500(including the OS)? Also, if I want to pick and choose what software I want to add to the new machine -- can I do that? I was thinking of using "Acronis" unless there is a much better cloning software? I keep thinking that there's a lot of stuff I don't use and that having editing capability is important. I do have all my files on an external hard drive. Any suggestions will be helpful
Thanks, Jeff

 

[jdean]

Cloning between two different machines makes me nervous because of hardware dependencies etc. You might be better off with a "migration" product (Acronis has one called Migrate Easy).

I do migration the hard way (reinstalling applications that need installation, and copying ones that don't) so that I know my machine has just what I need. I try to follow the rule of installing software only if I need to use it (rather than installing because I think I will use it); this saves a lot of time and my new systems are a lot cleaner.

 

[Hughv]

You might get away with an image using Windows XP repair install (I have done this in the past). You won't be able to pick and choose with this method.
I think jdean is correct, though.
A clean install is the best way.

 

[Jeff B]

Why create your own bloatware? A new machine is a great reason to do some serious house cleaning. If, however, I have difficulty in locating certain software discs, is it possible to burn a disc from my old machine?(even with some Microsoft products?)

JB

 

[Gulo Luseus]

I doubt it would work. Most lappys have a propietary windows, tailred to themselves- things like HD or mobo tattoos, to prevent exactly this sort of thing.