Easily Restore Your Computer With File and Settings Transfer Wizard XP (Part 1)
After reformatting your computer's hard drive and doing clean install of Windows XP, using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard utility built into XP makes the process easy. Also, if you have purchased a new computer you can transfer your files and settings to the new machine. In Part 1 I will go through saving your files and settings from your old machine.
It is important to use the same version of Migwiz.exe which each machine. If you use different versions the file you create with the wizard will not be recognized. To verify I have the same version, I will use the XP installation disc on both machines to access FAST. You will also want media to save the FAST file. The resulting folder with be similar to USMT2.UNC and the file will be something similar to IMG00001.DAT.
On the old computer click Start \ Programs \ Accessories \ System Tools \ File and Settings Transfer Wizard
The FAST Wizard opens up. Click Next.
Since we are saving the settings from the old computer make sure "Old computer" is selected and click Next.
If you're on a network browse to a dedicated share to store the backup. You can also use CD, DVD, or directly connect.
Now we can choose to transfer settings, files, or both. I also check the box "Let me select a custom list of …." this way I can delete unneeded files and settings. This will make the transfer faster. If you are not sure what you need or don't just stick with the default settings. Click Next.
Here I can choose what settings and files to keep or delete. When finished click on Next.
The Wizard begins the process of transferring the files and settings to the location I provided earlier. This may take a while depending on the amount of data and the speed of your network.
After the FAST wizard has completed you can just click on the Finish button.
As I mentioned above, I use the same Windows XP installation disc to verify I have the same version of Migwiz.exe on both machines. So simply pop in the XP disc with the computer on and a menu pops up. Choose "Perform additional tasks".
Next choose "Transfer files and settings". This will bring up the FAST wizard just as though you were browsing to it.
Later this week I will go over transferring your saved FAST file onto the new machine!
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Please can anyone help, I have backed up my files and settings with F.A.S.T wizard
and rebuilt system with all new parts,
Then reinstalled XP no problems, But when I came to restore files and setting
the Fast Wizard will not read the file, I have tryed the wizard on XP and from XP install CD home and Pro updated evry update I can find also Tryed FASTconv, the file is not currupted as I made two copys
just incase, I am now at my witts end my hair has gone grey and about to hit the bottle, can anyone help before I go insain…….please….SOS
Richard,
You need to use the same version of F A S T wizard that you used to create the backup.
Thanks for your reply but as the harddrive has been formatted and windows reinstalled on it,
how do I tell what version of F.A.S.T wizard I used,
and If I find out how do I get the same version again?
Please, please Help
Thanks.
If you have not found the solution to your problem I have a suggestion. I recently had the same problem on using the F.A.S.T. program for Windows XP and found that I could not reinstall the files and settings. The solution I found was that newer windows no longer requires a file extention in the file name. For example: the file IMG00001.DAT. in the USMT2.UNC folder should not have the .DAT on the end. Alot of the files do not have file extensions on them. So as a suggestion… do no move the file or folder but erase the .DAT on the end of the file ad begin the transfer from the beginning. I hope this works for you.
I want to restore my old settings and files on the same computer. My first Windows XP does not work anymore. Some files were lost. So I reinstalled Windows XP. I have choice to select on the menu which installion I want to run. All my settings are the same Program files. Waht to do?
I have a problem with my previous installation of XP. So I have installed again XP. Now I have a menu allowing the choice to select the XP I want to run. The issue is I want to restore the settings and files on the same computer because I don't want to loose my previous settings. What to do?
Thank you,
Cyr