best data migration method

[Blunted One]

A few employees at my company are running low on disk space and do not wish to upgrade their whole computers (even though they are a few years old) so I have gone out an purchased some hard drives to keep them happy and with ample space.

I was wondering what is the best/quickest method to moving all their data/programs/etc over to the new hard drives. Is there a program I should go out and buy or maybe one you guys know of that works better than the rest. I want to get these guys back to work asap with minimal downtime.

Thanks in advance for the help and opinions.

[morganlefay]

What OS???

Are the drives filling up with data......???

How come the data is local??

MLF

[nihil]

Are these desktops or laptops?

If they are desktops then the simplest method would be to insert the new drive as a slave and get them to migrate their data files.

[Ghost_25inf]

Depending on how many computers you have I would say use Ghost. But if we are talking like a company as big as Dell or Microsoft then I would go with Morganlefay's question as to why all the data is stored locally and not on a storage server. Ghost is a good way to go but instead of using the DVD/CD, go over the network to a temp location that way you arnt waisting all those disks.

[Blunted One]

My appologies for the confusion. These are employee desktops and they do graphical and game programming work on them. Lots of data get eaten up from all the images, animations, etc.

So I am going to install new HDs for them and need to move all their data and Win XP OS over to the new larger hard drive. Is ghost just the best method for this? Anything else that is really good at moving everything over to a new hard drive. Thanks guys.

[morganlefay]

Personaly....I have had some issues with disk utilities such as ghost\partition magic.......

Recently...just started to happen in the last 6 months or so.....

I think it is an OS update\patch that is throwing it out.....but dont have the time to confirm my assumptions

How many machines are we talking about.....cause the time and effort alone....there is no easy way

You may cut corners now...but the OS may fail in a few months
....and I havent had much success with replacing major hardware other than an video card\nic..in an xp machine........hardrive I always do a fresh install...


I understand that people have thier own preferences within the programs......and they should have some utility to export the and import them in to a new profile...I know AutoDesk does

most of the new programs are network aware...and people should be sharing the libraries....not storing them locally



Take out the old disk

Put in the new disk

Install the os and apps

Install the old disk as slave and restore data

and every application is different...

you should contact your software vendors and get support on restoring the users preferences

MLF

[nihil]

Do you have a server that they can all connect to?

How many machines are we talking about?

Please remember that Microsoft supply remote installation and unattended installation tools. Whilst they might not be rocket science, they would be more likely to avoid the problems with third party tools that Morgana~ refers to.

I would certainly do a fresh install of the OS and applications. You stated that these machines are old?.................... well, bad things develop over time, and you wouldn't want to get the blame for downtime

From what you say these people must be computer literate, so I wouldn't worry about their personal settings.

Please be very careful with the saving and migration of bookmarks, favourites and address books I have seen some monumental foul ups there

Obviously, I do not know your environment, but I am always a little wary of "exotic" applications. I am also very wary of the latest MS DRM (WGA). I would strongly recommend that you try out the process on a reference machine as a proof of concept exercise.

Talking of WGA, it might not be a bad idea to replace the CMOS batteries in these machines if they are getting old?

Good Luck!

[Blunted One]

These are computers that are using maya, photoshop, zbrush, acdsee, and other graphic and animation programs. I am sure the setting can be moved over, but I was hoping that there would be a piece of magic software that would reall move everything over.

I know that the best method is to format and install the OS on the new drive, but it sure would be a slow process. I guess slow and steady is the best method though, but I wish there was a less painful and time consuming way.

I have tried to convice these people especially one guy that a new computer would be the way to go, but he is very set in keeping his computer as he likes its just the way it is and even with my boss putting pressure on him he still won't budge. Just one of those guys that is set in his ways and doesn't give in...ever...even if it is for the better.

So I guess Ghost is out? This day just got longer...haha. If anyone knows of some third party software that really works great at moving XP from one drive to another. I would be in your debt.

I know at least this one guy is gonna moan and groan about having to move/reinstall programs/files/settings on a new drive (which would be similar to getting him a whole new computer). This could be painful in a number of ways for me and him.

Thanks for the advice guys as always it is much appreciated.

[morganlefay]

I work with people like that all the time.....Engineers

Whiners....


One day they will have to grow up and realize that the machines arent really thiers...and that the company owns them, maintains them.....and replaces them when needed...as to minimize downtime and los of productivity............this is what happens when you work in a corporate environment....and they better get used to it.

I also try and explain to them...why it is so important to have the data and preferences saved to the server.

"If someone were to walk in here right now.....take your machine...I could get you a new machine...and point you to the server...and voila...you are back in business"

I guy is an obvious idiot...because a machine with new hardware would run all the programs you listed much more efficiently.

I feel for you....and no there is no magic app....

MLF

[Blunted One]

Well damn. Thanks for understanding the perdicament I am in. I wish the data migration was as easy as copy and paste...haha...only in a perfect world I guess. This one may involve some effort on my part then...I will try and talk this guy into a new system.

Since I am in a small company these guys get to do pretty much what they want which is hard for me since I try and advise on the best solution, but some just don't like to listen.

So do I assume I can take a risk with ghost which could be a bad idea...or just install HD, format HD, install OS, install programs, transfer settings, move over personal files and then if all goes well I will be done. A new computer would be easier than that.