Is there a windows desktop migration tool that works good?
I have a need to change out some laptops for a few Win XP users. I
need a way to automate the redoing of their settings, profiles,
preferences, network settings, and desktop layouts.
They all have XP home or XP pro and are migrating to new laptop with
the same OS (but some might jump from Pro to home or vice versa).
The only apps they use are:
? Windows XP itself
? Office 2003
? Outlook Express
? Internet Explorer (whatever the latest is.. lots of important
settings here under Internet Options)
? Skype (but this doesn?t matter a whole lot)
? MSN Instant Messenger
? WinRAR 3.0 (but this doesn?t matter a whole lot)
? eFax messenger 3.3 (but this doesn?t matter a whole lot)
? Hotline Client 1.9.1 (but this doesn?t matter a whole lot)
? Spybot search and destroy (but this doesn?t matter a whole lot)
? Spy Sweeper (but this doesn?t matter a whole lot)
Here are the key requirements I need:
1. The migration tool must be able to puts everything in a external
file that I can ftp or hotline to the new machine and then expand.
There will be a delay before the old machine goes away and I expand
the file on the new machine so things like PC Link that use USB cables
to do real-time migrations wont work for me.
2. I must be able to pick which programs I want to capture the
settings for, I don?t want something that does all the apps it knows
how to deal with.
3. The most important thing is the outlook profile and the settings in
the windows control panels (not all of them, just key ones like
Network, Internet Options, Power Management, etc).
4. I do not need to move over any data files. All the data on their
desktop and My documents folders are re-pointed to a USB drive they
keep with them. Their Email is all kept on the exchange server, but
their outlook profiles are extensive with custom toolbars, custom
forms, and particular settings in the prefs. Outlook also keeps the
autofill list (the .nk2 file) and some other stuff in the outlook
profile folder in documents and settings, it would be good if this
were migrated with the acct, but if I had to , I could do this last
bit by hand. The tool must have an option to do just settings, not
data.
5. I need something that does not require a local server. I want to
stay away from things that use Microsoft domain roaming profiles and
such.
6. I only have a few one-off machines to do, I don?t need or plan to
buy a site license, a 10-pack, or something for enterprise size users.
I don?t want to spend more then approx $120 per migration, and may
only to 2-3 migrations a year.
A year ago I purchased Desktop DNA Pro (under $75) with great hopes.
It has an option to dump all the stuff into an external file that I
can ftp or hotline to the new machine and then expand. but the problem
was it was way way way too slow. Took an hour to move over some
Outlook Express settings. Just OE, I unselected everything else. No
data, no emails, just the config. A part from the slowness it would
work for me.
Is there solutions out there?
here is one lead I found.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/buyersguide/article.php/3302521
I need more input.
The ibm one looked good, and I found alink to download it, but nothing
to buy it. I don?t have ibm hardware. not sure what happen if I
install it, will it ask for a serial?
thanx in advnce |
