When you need to replace your computer, you have to make a choice on how you would like to effectively transfer your existing data to the new computer. You need to choose between going one of two routes. The first route you can take involves restoring your old computer's data over the new computer's data, in which you reformat your new computer in the process. The second route you can take involves restoring selective data from your old computer on to the new computer.
How do you know which route to take? There is no easy answer to this question. Both routes have their own benefits and challenges, as described below. Knowing this information beforehand may help you know what is coming when you are replacing your computer and deciding on which route to take.
The benefit to using the Reformatting Method (the first route) is that all of your files and applications are restored and configured according to how you were using them on your old computer. When you take this route, you do not need to go through the process of re-installing all of your applications by hand, which can be a big time saver. However, the drivers used by the old computer will come along in the restoration process. These drivers may not be appropriate for your new computer and as a result, they may prevent the new computer from booting. When you use the reformatting method, you need to be prepared to see a Windows "blue screen" - indicating that Windows is not able to start, and you need to be prepared to take corrective actions to get Windows booting again. While this route may sound easier than the Selective File Restore method, it can be very frustrating if Windows fails to boot. Even when you purchase new equipment from the same manufacturer, because of the very large variety of hardware available the chances are high that you will encounter the blue-screen error and you will need to update the drivers on your new computer. The steps involved with the Reformatting Method are listed below.
If you choose the Selective File Restore Method (the second route), the benefit is that you are going to use the copy of Windows that is pre-installed on the computer. You have a computer that is booting before you start restoring data. Because you have the ability to pick and choose the files that you are restoring, you can restore just data files which will not affect the operation of Windows. The downside to this restoration method is that you have to re-install all of your applications by hand. And, if you have quite a few applications that you downloaded from the Internet, you will need to re-download these same applications and re-enter any registration or licensing as applicable. This can be very time consuming because each application needs to be installed and configured from scratch. When you take this route, you are only restoring data files and you are not restoring Windows, the Registry, drivers, or any of your applications. The steps involved with the Selective File Restore Method are listed below.
Go to the computer running the Backup Server at your location and generate your personalized Disaster Recovery report. You need this report so you can follow its instructions to: partition and format your hard drive(s), install the Operating System, and restore your data.
Run Backup for Workgroups.
Go to the Client panel.
A list of all the Clients/Users of this Backup Server appears on the left. Select the appropriate Client name.
Press the Generate Disaster Recovery Report button.
The Backup Server software generates your Disaster Recovery report based on your computer configuration and the last Operating System you were using.
The Internet browser on the computer running the Backup Server launches and displays your Disaster Recovery report. Use the Browser’s Print function to make a hard copy of this report so you can follow along with the instructions.
Go to your new computer and follow along with the instructions presented on the Disaster Recovery report in order to partition the hard drives, install the temporary copy of Windows (see important note below), and install the Backup Client Software. Once you have completed these steps, you will be ready to login to the Backup Server and restore files from your last backup. IMPORTANT - When you install the temporary copy of Windows, you MUST use the same version and service pack of Windows that you were using at the time of your last backup. The Disaster Recovery Report shows you both the version of Windows and the service pack level in use as of your last backup.
Use the Backup Client to perform a Disaster Recover.
Reboot your new computer.
If Windows fails to start after rebooting, follow the steps below.
Boot
the computer from your Windows Operating System Setup CD.
At the opening screen do not take the route to the restore console.
Continue
by pressing Enter.
Press
F8 at the license agreement
Windows
Setup will scan the computer and tell you already have Windows installed.
The Windows Setup program will
offer to repair the Installation. Press
R to repair the current installation.
At this point the Windows Setup program will delete the current copy of Windows from the Drive ( this is somewhat of a surprise ). It will then reinstall Windows and perform what seems like a typical install of Windows. Actually the Setup performs a mixed installation in which it replaces portions of your Windows OS and retains other parts. It will retain the majority of the Registry and recreate the driver portion, thus fixing the problem with the drivers. By retaining the other portions of the Registry you do not need to reinstall any applications.
When the Windows repair is complete, you should reboot your computer and be back to normal operation.
Install the Backup Client on your new computer.
At the Setup program choose to follow the path to reinstall your Backup Client.
Go to the Restore panel.
Press the Selected Files button.
Select files that you want to restore from the list of files. DO NOT select any files that are part of the Windows Operating System and DO NOT restore the System Files/Registry.
When the Backup Client has finished the selected file restoration process, you are ready to re-install your program application files from their original setup CDs and download sites.