Setting up Backup Drive

[Computing Skrub]

I have a Seagate 1tb Backup plus slim and I want to back up my computer. Now this hard drive comes with a few default files that I ask if i can delete: https://gyazo.com/66c1ef1ffb8e67e4889e3b1faa307576
I have ran the dashboard installer and registered my product via the seagate website.
My other question is that since im replacing my motherboard, I want to keep all my program files and program files (86) but idk if I should save the windows folder. I noticed that the seagate dashboard "easy backup runner" does not let me save those 3 and a few others: https://gyazo.com/c27dbfbec9677aa4052c17e5065bcebe
(the right is the dashboard backup options and the left is windows explorer)
If you are more concerned about my motherboard changing process, look at this: https://gyazo.com/13363adf9cb5f19a069c5582fd71dec2

Thank you for your time

 

[drtweak]

1) No you can wipe everything that came on the drive.
2) more than likely you WILL have to reinstall almost all your programs when you reinstall windows after replacing your motherboard unless the motherboard is similar enough where you don't have to reinstall windows. Just copying those folders isn't enough since a lot of stuff is still storage in the registry.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, Computing Skrub!

I'd advise you to simply copy your most precious data to the external drive and @drtweak is right about reinstalling your software.
Since you'd be changing the motherboard, I'm afraid that you'd need a new genuine installation of Windows. Changing the mobo is like changing the computer altogether, so your previous install and activation code won't work on the new one. Unless, the mobo is an identical model (same manufacturer) of your current motherboard.
If you have any questions regarding this, I'd advise you to get in touch with the MS support. They can even provide you with an activation code for your new mobo. Either way, a clean install of everything is unavoidable.

Best of luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Computing Skrub]

Hey there, Computing Skrub!

I'd advise you to simply copy your most precious data to the external drive and @drtweak is right about reinstalling your software.
Since you'd be changing the motherboard, I'm afraid that you'd need a new genuine installation of Windows. Changing the mobo is like changing the computer altogether, so your previous install and activation code won't work on the new one. Unless, the mobo is an identical model (same manufacturer) of your current motherboard.
If you have any questions regarding this, I'd advise you to get in touch with the MS support. They can even provide you with an activation code for your new mobo. Either way, a clean install of everything is unavoidable.

Best of luck!
SuperSoph_WD

well could i copy the whole c: drive any except the windows folder? tradesman told me i could run a registry cleaner and get rid of all the other hardware files

 

[Computing Skrub]

Also if i did need to reinstall win would it do so automatically or would i need to rebuy my os

 

[drtweak]

What version of windows do you have? 8 and 10 have an easy reset feature that will wipe everything on the drive and reinstall windows without having to use a disk or anything.

And you can copy everything over to have it.

Also it is more about the hardware and what it is. Like upgrading intel to intel and amd to amd is easier that amd to intel or intel to amd. It is just how windows is. Move an existing windows to a new PC can be hard to do if you don't have the right tools to do so.

 

[Computing Skrub]

What version of windows do you have? 8 and 10 have an easy reset feature that will wipe everything on the drive and reinstall windows without having to use a disk or anything.

And you can copy everything over to have it.

Also it is more about the hardware and what it is. Like upgrading intel to intel and amd to amd is easier that amd to intel or intel to amd. It is just how windows is. Move an existing windows to a new PC can be hard to do if you don't have the right tools to do so.

win 7 oem sp1

 

[drtweak]

Yea you would more than likely have to reinstall. You can just try putting in the hard drive into the new machine, see if it boots. if it doesn't (if it gives you a BSOD with a stop code of 0x0000007B) you will have to reinstall windows and reinstall all your programs.

 

[Computing Skrub]

Yea you would more than likely have to reinstall. You can just try putting in the hard drive into the new machine, see if it boots. if it doesn't (if it gives you a BSOD with a stop code of 0x0000007B) you will have to reinstall windows and reinstall all your programs.

1.) How would i reinstall windows? would it do so automatically? or would i have to buy it again :/

2.) If i do. after i reinstall couldn't i just plug in the backup drive then and copy my 700 gb program files and program files (86)?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there again, Computing Skrub!

1) As long as the computer/motherboard is the same, you'd not need a new genuine Windows installation. You can refer to this article from MS about how to re-install your current Windows version: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/clean-install
The activation should happen automatically once you go online. However, if you encounter any issues, I'd suggest you to get in touch with MS customer support.

2) You could plug back the backup HDD and transfer all your files, but I'd strongly recommend you to consider re-installing all the software programs. This way you'd be able to avoid any loading as well as performance issues with the applications.

Hope I was helpful. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[drtweak]

For just "Copying" over your programs you have to understand most of them require files that are NOT in the program files and registry settings that is a pain in the butt to look for and backup.

Can you just copy them over and see if they work? Sure it won't hurt anything. But will they work? That all depends on the program. Like Microsoft Office, Quickbooks are two programs i know for a FACT you WILL have to reinstall.

 

[Computing Skrub]

For just "Copying" over your programs you have to understand most of them require files that are NOT in the program files and registry settings that is a pain in the butt to look for and backup.

Can you just copy them over and see if they work? Sure it won't hurt anything. But will they work? That all depends on the program. Like Microsoft Office, Quickbooks are two programs i know for a FACT you WILL have to reinstall.

The things I care about most are my 500+ GB worth of steam games...... could i backup that folder?

 

[drtweak]

OH yea if they are just Steam games yea. I mean you COULD just redownload them all but if you don't have a faster internet connection then yea.

If that is the case then just follow the instructions here.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

 

[Computing Skrub]

OH yea if they are just Steam games yea. I mean you COULD just redownload them all but if you don't have a faster internet connection then yea.

If that is the case then just follow the instructions here.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

could i just back it up though? then restore when needed/wanted?

 

[drtweak]

Just follow those instructions. Copy the whole steam folder to the external drive, Delete everything BUT the SteamApps and Steam.exe

When you setup your new PC make a new folder in the Program Files (x86) folder called steam and copy that over. Then just run the Steam.exe in the folder and it will reinstall itself and be updated with all your games.

 

[Computing Skrub]

Hey there again, Computing Skrub!

1) As long as the computer/motherboard is the same, you'd not need a new genuine Windows installation. You can refer to this article from MS about how to re-install your current Windows version: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/clean-install
The activation should happen automatically once you go online. However, if you encounter any issues, I'd suggest you to get in touch with MS customer support.

2) You could plug back the backup HDD and transfer all your files, but I'd strongly recommend you to consider re-installing all the software programs. This way you'd be able to avoid any loading as well as performance issues with the applications.

Hope I was helpful. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

That is a windows 8 artical. Im on windows 7 home premium 64bit SP1

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there again, Computing Skrub!

I'm sorry about that! However, you should know that you can download any Windows version from MS website directly and create a bootable USB/CD drive with it, as long as you have a valid product key. Here's a Win 7 clean install link then:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

Best of luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Computing Skrub]

Hey there again, Computing Skrub!

I'm sorry about that! However, you should know that you can download any Windows version from MS website directly and create a bootable USB/CD drive with it, as long as you have a valid product key. Here's a Win 7 clean install link then:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

Best of luck!
SuperSoph_WD

It says that it cant be done on my OEM os........ (with slight eceptions of dell computers)

 

[drtweak]

Here is the thing. IF you have a OEM PC it comes with a OEM License. Moving that license to another PC is very hard to do. You WILL have to call up MS and have them activate your Key and they might night do it since it is an OEM becuase OEM PC's when using the right install media like Dells, will activate without you putting in a Product key.

What kind of PC do you have exactly and why you upgrading the motherboard?

 

[Computing Skrub]

Here is the thing. IF you have a OEM PC it comes with a OEM License. Moving that license to another PC is very hard to do. You WILL have to call up MS and have them activate your Key and they might night do it since it is an OEM becuase OEM PC's when using the right install media like Dells, will activate without you putting in a Product key.

What kind of PC do you have exactly and why you upgrading the motherboard?

Why am I upgrading the motherboard? because i am using a gt 630, but in order to get the gpu i would like to upgrade to, i would have to get a new cpu because my 4300 fx just cant handle it. with this motherboard's socket, there arent many good options to upgrade to. So I am switching to intel with an intel socket. Tradesman has said that my OS is very good with the procedure that he gave to me. He has said he has done it many times, and some builds being from amd to intel.

 

[Computing Skrub]

He did tell me about how I would need to reactivate windows with a new key given by MS. "95+% of the time MS will give you a new key" I have actually seen a post about someone going through with this procedure and having no problem at all.

 

[drtweak]

If it is a OEM PC again they may not take it, but install windows, use your existing key, it will say it has been used and give links to call up MS