[SOLVED] Using AOMEI to transfer hard drive to new PC

[RobS81]

Hi all,

I'm transferring my drives to a new PC and I plan to use AOMEI.
I have built a new PC but will be using my existing SSD, secondary HDD and graphics card.
The instructions for AOMEI state that I should create a backup to install onto the new PC, but I'm wondering if I can save the backup on my secondary HDD, put my drives into the new PC, and install the backup to the SSD from there?

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi all,

I'm transferring my drives to a new PC and I plan to use AOMEI.
I have built a new PC but will be using my existing SSD, secondary HDD and graphics card.
The instructions for AOMEI state that I should create a backup to install onto the new PC, but I'm wondering if I can save the backup on my secondary HDD, put my drives into the new PC, and install the backup to the SSD from there?

Thanks.

Transferring the OS drive, or a clone of it, to a new PC?

Bad idea.

Trying this, there are 3 possible outcomes:

1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

I've seen all 3. #1 is the least likely to happen.


Your new PC needs a fresh OS install.
What are the parts of old and new?

 

[kanewolf]

Hi all,

I'm transferring my drives to a new PC and I plan to use AOMEI.
I have built a new PC but will be using my existing SSD, secondary HDD and graphics card.
The instructions for AOMEI state that I should create a backup to install onto the new PC, but I'm wondering if I can save the backup on my secondary HDD, put my drives into the new PC, and install the backup to the SSD from there?

Thanks.

There is a 50/50 chance that an existing Windows install on that SSD will not function. Changing motherboards is always best to do a clean Windows install.

 

[RobS81]

Hi USAFRet,

You advised me when I upgraded my daughter's PC in July.
Thankfully, her PC has been absolutely fine. The key worked and it's had no issues.

I've finally got the parts to upgrade from my i5 2400 PC.
I'm moving from a cheap £200 eBay "gaming" PC with a 2nd Gen i5 to an i9 9900KF build with an MSI Z390 mobo and 32GB of RAM.
I'm keeping my GTX 750 Ti GPU for now and my existing SSD with a secondary HDD.

So do I need to create a backup of my system, install a fresh OS, then install my backup?

Thanks.

 

[kanewolf]

Hi USAFRet,

You advised me when I upgraded my daughter's PC in July.
Thankfully, her PC has been absolutely fine. The key worked and it's had no issues.

I've finally got the parts to upgrade from my i5 2400 PC.
I'm moving from a cheap £200 eBay "gaming" PC with a 2nd Gen i5 to an i9 9900KF build with an MSI Z390 mobo and 32GB of RAM.
I'm keeping my GTX 750 Ti GPU for now and my existing SSD with a secondary HDD.

So do I need to create a backup of my system, install a fresh OS, then install my backup?

Thanks.

Installing a backup will overwrite a fresh install. If you do a fresh install, as recommended then you would reinstall applications. Your secondary hard drive can be used without changes to allow you to retain data files not related to your OS or applications.

 

[USAFRet]

So do I need to create a backup of my system, install a fresh OS, then install my backup?

No.
That backup is of no use.
As said above, using that would simply be overwriting the fresh install you'll do.

No different than if you hadn't done the fresh install at all.

Going from a 2nd Gen i5 to a 9th Gen i9 is a huge generational change.
Fresh install.

As long as there are no applications installed on that second drive, it is fine to reconnect after you get the OS up and running n the primary drive.

 

[RobS81]

Hi Kanewolf & USAFRet,

I use OneDrive across my devices so I should just be able to download my files again once I've set it back up.
Can I use the function within Windows to reinstall the OS, and use my original serial to activate it?

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi Kanewolf & USAFRet,

I use OneDrive across my devices so I should just be able to download my files again once I've set it back up.
Can I use the function within Windows to reinstall the OS, and use my original serial to activate it?

Thanks.

For the activation:
For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

(a whole new PC counts as a "hardware change")


For the reinstall, no. You can't do it from within the old OS.
You need to create a WIn 10 USB to boot from and install.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[RobS81]

OK, so I'll need to install a fresh OS.
Before I do that I'll need to create a bootable USB drive with the media creation tool on the old PC and make a note of all the prgrams I want to reinstall.
Then move the SSD to the new PC, go straight into BIOS to select boot device, select the USB drive to install the OS, and format the SSD from there to install the OS.
Once the OS is installed I'll need to reinstall my programs and log into my OneDrive.
Is that right?

Thanks.

 

[RobS81]

Can I use an HDD in a USB dock as my USB device?
I don't think I have a USB stick big enough.

 

[USAFRet]

Can I use an HDD in a USB dock as my USB device?
I don't think I have a USB stick big enough.

All you need is an 8GB flash drive.

Using an HDD....anything on that drive currently WILL be wiped out.

 

[USAFRet]

Before I do that I'll need to create a bootable USB drive with the media creation tool on the old PC and make a note of all the prgrams I want to reinstall.

Programs, username/passwords, licensing/serial numbers for any software affected by such, etc, etc.

If desired, export any bookmarks and settings from your browser(s).

 

[RobS81]

I've got a few empty HDDs from old PCs and laptops so I won't be losing anything.
I'm pretty sure I've got a 40gb one laying around.
I only have SD cards for mobile storage and 3D printers.

All of my passwords are stored in my browser which I can log into once the new OS is installed.
I was hoping this would be an evening job, but I think I'll save it for the weekend.

Thanks both for your help.

 

[USAFRet]

All of my passwords are stored in my browser which I can log into once the new OS is installed.

With the new OS, you also get a new browser instance.
Now....that info may be stored at the browser mothership server farm. Maybe.

Please, document all that stuff offline.

 

[RobS81]

I've fitted the everything expect the drives and GPU.
That's it for now. I'll do the creation tool tomorrow.
After 7 ARGB fans I have a new found hate for cable management.
I've got my logins saved in my Google account, so they sync across all my devices.
They'll import when I sign into Google.

Thanks again for your help.