I'll start by saying I'm not 100% sure if this is the correct category to post in. I apologize if it isn't.
I am currently using a computer I built nearly 4 years ago which operates on Windows XP Media Center Edition (32 bit). I recently purchased a used computer which is a major upgrade in hardware and runs Win7 Ultimate. I am still awaiting UPS delivery but once it arrives my intention is to move all my data and software from this computer to the new computer and then give this computer to my mother to replace her older Win XP machine. I'm trying to determine the best way to move my stuff to the new computer and then my mother's stuff to this one. These are the options I've come up with:
1) Pull my HDD from this computer and put it in the new one as secondary storage, then pull the HDD from my mother's current computer and put it in this one. Would the presence of XP on this HDD create problems with WIN7 on the new machine? Would I be able to run programs that are installed on this drive or just access files (or would I even be able to do that)? What kind of problems would putting my mother's HDD in this machine cause?
2) Use an Easy Transfer Cable (which I have) to move everything from this HDD to the new one, and then from my mother's to this one. My main concern with this is everywhere I've looked I can only find references to using these cables to move to brand new clean systems, not to used ones. The used computer will come with some software from the previous user still on it, some of which I may want to keep. Will using WET overwrite/destroy what is already on the new computer or simply add to it, which would be my preference.
3) Manually move data from one system to another using an external HDD as a medium. While I know this method will work, it is obviously slower and more tedious than the other 2 options so if either of those will give me the results I want they would certainly be preferred.
Thank you for your time and any help you can offer.
I am currently using a computer I built nearly 4 years ago which operates on Windows XP Media Center Edition (32 bit). I recently purchased a used computer which is a major upgrade in hardware and runs Win7 Ultimate. I am still awaiting UPS delivery but once it arrives my intention is to move all my data and software from this computer to the new computer and then give this computer to my mother to replace her older Win XP machine. I'm trying to determine the best way to move my stuff to the new computer and then my mother's stuff to this one. These are the options I've come up with:
1) Pull my HDD from this computer and put it in the new one as secondary storage, then pull the HDD from my mother's current computer and put it in this one. Would the presence of XP on this HDD create problems with WIN7 on the new machine? Would I be able to run programs that are installed on this drive or just access files (or would I even be able to do that)? What kind of problems would putting my mother's HDD in this machine cause?
2) Use an Easy Transfer Cable (which I have) to move everything from this HDD to the new one, and then from my mother's to this one. My main concern with this is everywhere I've looked I can only find references to using these cables to move to brand new clean systems, not to used ones. The used computer will come with some software from the previous user still on it, some of which I may want to keep. Will using WET overwrite/destroy what is already on the new computer or simply add to it, which would be my preference.
3) Manually move data from one system to another using an external HDD as a medium. While I know this method will work, it is obviously slower and more tedious than the other 2 options so if either of those will give me the results I want they would certainly be preferred.
Thank you for your time and any help you can offer.