I have moved all the files I think I need to the external HD. Things like documents, taxes, photos, itunes library, bookmarks, etc. The rest should just be software and drivers. I will download win 8.1 drivers for my peripherals once I get the new machine.
Is there anything else that I should look to copy? All my games and other software will need to be re-installed on the new machine. That will be a lot to download but I don't see an option, I'm going from Vista 32bit to 8.1 64bit.
After I get the new PC up and running would it be best to buy a new bare drive, install it in the old machine and boot from my DVD drive with my windows disk? I should be able to format and re-install the OS this way and have a fresh install?
I had to initialize the drive I bought before I could format it, would I need to do the same before I install a bare drive in the old machine (at least initialize it)?