I think I need some advice on migrating

[Tab]

Background: I'm a software developer with nearly 40 years experience, have often built my own computers (desktops) and done goodness knows what else.

I'm running a laptop - a Dell Inspiron - probably about 6 years old. Maybe 4.. Not sure. But anyway...

I have 8 gigs mem in it and a 1T SSD. I run Windows 7 home. I prefer Win 7 Professional, but at home I can't necessarily justify the cost. I really do not want to go to Win 10.

I've been having what I suspect are thermal problems - they've gotten worse over the last 18 months or so - and seems to affect one of the memory chipsets and the video chipset (as far as I can tell). I've mitigated it by increasing airflow, moving the machine, etc., and the thermal problems are better. But they're not gone. I can easily find myself in a situation trying for 30 minutes to reboot my machine (and yes, I turn all the external crap off).

So I need a new machine. Rather than trying to migrate all my crap, which was normally a PITA, but nearly impossible nowadays - I'd like to just use my SSD as the primary drive. I'm sure it would boot, but I wouldn't have the proper drivers. Should I focus specifically on a Dell machine, hoping it could at least get up and limping, or get something else and fend for the drivers on my own? I do have an external BlackX drive reader I can use to help the transition, but now that everyone squirrels registration data all over the place (not just the registry) I'm reluctant to try to migrate my stuff traditionally. I'm okay with it being a desktop - I don't need to transport it like I used to - I just want it to work well. FYI, general usage is high-end system programming, video and animation production. I want to go to at least 16 gigs, but that's the least of my worries. My bigger worry is being able to perpetuate my (Windows 7) environment and go one with little interruption.

Suggestions appreciated!

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

1. What's your budget? n/t

[Tab]

5. My preference is under $1000

I could go to $2000, but I bet I could construct a nice machine for $800 to $1000.

[PoliticAverse]

2. I'm not a fan of migration. I see a new computer as an opportunity to install Windows from scratch

- an argument can be made that is a good idea to do every few years anyway.

I realize starting from scratch is more effort, but I think it is worth it considering it has been 6 years.

In your case I'd mirror the entire SSD to a hard drive. Then reformat the SSD and start completely from
scratch, re-installing and copying over what you need when you need it from the hard drive.

Note that the cause of most thermal issues is either bad fans or accumulated dust, are you able to completely
open the laptop and find and remove all the dust?

[Tab]

4. I would rather not

but part of it is that I have licenses that go back 10 or more years; sometimes these get lost during a migration.

Also, I simply don't want to be in Win10. Win 8 was crap, Win10 was an improvement, but Win7 is a workhorse, stripped to its bones, and I like it.

One would think someone like me would be thrilled to have a new computer - and that's true for certain circumstances - but to continue my productivity, I'd like to retain the environment I've spent years building.

I do have to reinvent it every few years, but I'm tired of it.

[Egnever]

3. There are several cloning solutions now that will move to dissimilar hardware

My experience with them has been hit or miss but given your stated desires I would take a look at them.

Off the top of my head I think acronis and easeus both have versions that will do this.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Sorry...thought this was a post about birds.

[Tab]

7. I'm more than happy to fly south

Not so sure how far I can migrate on $1k, but it's also in the plans.

In such a case, I won't care about my computer, just about migrating

[Mnpaul]

8. Have you thoroughly cleaned the fan area?

I had a similar problem with a Dell. The path out the exhaust port is clear but there was a corner(upper right - looking from the front) that was full of dust, etc. I didn't see it until I looked back there with a small light. Air wouldn't remove it. I had to pick it out by hand. You will need to remove the panel above the keyboard to do this. Instructions can be found online.

If your laptop is 4 years old you may be able to find a refurb unit of the same model and swap HDs.

[Tab]

9. Haven't checked the fan area

in a desktop, I'd go right for that, but in a laptop it's always just so much complicated.

Haven't thought about switching to a refurb Inspiron. My opinion is that if I'm going to do this, I should get more horsepower, but I don't want to cripple my work environment in the process. Now, in reality, I can keep both machines running, swapping out drives until I get it right, but it's worth a shot. I'm just trying to minimize the pain.

And to be honest, I don't want to screw up opening the laptop (which wouldn't bother me on a desktop) and find myself with no computer at all. This used to not be a concern, but now it seems to be.

[Mnpaul]

11. It isn't much harder to do with a laptop

and there are usually detailed instructions, if not video on youtube, online. Removing the panel should be quite easy, probably a few screws on the back. The hard drive swap isn't bad on some machines. As far as the refurb goes, you may be able to find a similar model with a faster cpu that will work with your hard drive.

If you can build a desktop, you can handle this. Just watch the sizes length of the screws when you remove them(keep track of where they go). If you have to remove ribbon cables take extra care with the connectors. There will be a flat bar of plastic that has to pivot up towards the connector before the cable can be removed. Be very gentle with these.

[hobbit709]

10. Unless you migrate to a new computer with pretty much the same hardware.

Windows Authentication will give you fits. It's a lot less hassle to just do a clean reinstall, plus you have the added benefit of ridding the system of the clutter that Windows adds to itself over time.

[Tab]

12. Hmmm... that's true

Windows Authentication with a different hardware footprint will be a bit.

I don't really have an added benefit of ridding the system, since I keep it quite clean on a regular basis (I have enough engineering worries without having to think that some stupid auto-update is going to mess me up).

But, yeah, you're right, I forgot about the hardware footprint. However, I think I've always paid for my software, so maybe that wouldn't be a dealbreaker.

[hobbit709]

13. If you've got all the product keys for everything you use, it should be too bad.

Magical Jellybean will find the product key for a lot of things.
You might have to make a phone call or two but as long as you tell them the old computer has been scrapped there shouldn't be any problem.
I do this on a regular basis for people and maybe 1 in 20 has something where the software company wants to be jerks.

[Gore1FL]

14. I'd make a backup and sysprep /oobe /generalize to see if that would work.

It might be useful to have the driver base for the new system ready to go on the hard drive before you sysprep.