Hi, I'm building a new computer, i7 930 with Windows 7 home Premium (64 bit and I have a new retail box). I have currently Ghost 15 images for my existing computer Quad core Q6600 also with Windows Home Premium 64 bit. Rather than starting completely over as I usually would do, I am thinking of trying to load my image from my existing computer onto the new build. Both have or will have WD 150 gig hard drives as the first primary drive (not on raid). The current drive is partitioned as C (active, system, bootup etc. size is approx 95 gig only 10 gig used) and has a 2nd partition D about 55 gig has misc utilities etc. I have separate images for both. The new drive for the new build is a Velociraptor 150 as of right now is still in foil - not partitioned. The old existing drive in the Q6600 is also 150 WD but is an older version of the drive (i.e., Raptor not Velociraptor). By the way, I am only using the cold image feature - Ghost 15 is not installed on my existing (Q6600) computer and I do not have the special reserve boot partition on my existing hard drive and obviously don't want it on the new one.
Now I realize I'll have to load the new motherboard drivers, graphics card drivers etc after the image is put on the new hard drive but I have a few questions concerning doing this. I'll also have to provide the new serial number for the new installation before activating Windows 7. I figured I could give it a try and if it doesn't work out I can always start fresh as I've done before. A few hours of work may be better than few days of work putting al the apps back on and setting them up.
1. Should I, or will I have to, partition and format the new drive as C and D first in the approximately the same sizes before applying the Ghost 15 image. I'm not sure if I could get it the exact same size anyway. I will have a second hard drive as I do now but I'm not worried about that...yet.
2. What settings in the cold image restore would I choose on the new build VelociRaptor - MBR, boot settings etc.
3. Do you think it's wise trying this or am I better of just starting completely over ((i.e., too many potential headaches). I can remove / delete old drivers after loading the new MB and Graphics drivers . There are ways to have Windows show old, not in use drivers and delete them. New card is ATI old is Nvidia.
4. I do want a clean install as possible or at least as clean as the current computer on the new build. I consider that I do have a relatively clean (not bloated) computer (Q6600). The relatively recent Windows 7 install on the Q6600 was a clean install and I've kept it clean...the C drive is using only 10 gig and D only about 2 gig. Is there anything else you can think of that I should be aware of before trying this or should I not waste my time.
Thanks,
Ken