Vista - Help Transfering PROGRAMS and Files from Vista 32bit to Vista 64bit

Hello,

I have an issue that does not seem easy to solve. I have looked at many ghost software programs to try to achieve this but have not found one yet.

I need to move my PROGRAMS and files from my Vista 32bit machine to a new Vista 64bit machine I purchased. How can I do this?

If I cannot do this what will the performance issue be by doing a complete copy of my current 32bit os and using that on my new i7 machine?

Finally if I do transfer my 32 bit system, can I upgrade to a 64bit OS? What about when Windows 7 is available?

Thank you so much in advance - sorry about all the questions

You can transfer your files (e.g. with the help of an USB stick or an external disk). But the programs you will have to reinstall - there is no way to transfer those form one system to another, especially not from 32bit to 64 bit.

Anyone know if laplink might take care of this?

There are so many programs out there like Norton Ghost that will let you move/restore programs from one pc to another its hard to believe that this cannot be done without starting from scratch.

What about upgrading from Vista Business x32 to x64 once I use norton ghost to move everything?

Thanks

1. Norton Ghost (which I use) is an imaging program for backing up your system. You can only restore the image to the same system - not to another system. The same goes for all the other imaging programs.
2. Upgrading from x32 to x64 is a total new install. No 2 ways about it.
3. With Laplink you may be able to transfer your own files - but there are cheaper and easier solutions.
4. Forget playing around with system and program files. They work on one system - and on one system only.

????

That depends. If the software fails, you can restore/reinstall in the various ways. If your hardware fails, you can exchange the componenets and reinstall (if required) - except for the motherboard. That carries the system ID. If you change the mobo, you have to call/convince Microsoft that they reactivate your operating system. If you get a completely new PC, you have to get a new operating system too.

it is possible to move your old system onto a new machine:Acronis Universal Restore - restore an image to a new system but i bet it aint cheap.
you can install the 32bit operating system, but if you have more than 4 gigs of RAM the operating system wont be able to utilize it.
you cant do an upgrade from 32bits to 64bits. all your files and programs will be lost.
the 64bit version of windows does have a folder for 32bit programs, but i dont know if you can just drop a program in there and have it work.
see if you might be able to use this: Get Windows Vista: Windows Easy Transfer. and here is a good article on the subject: Does Migration Software For New PCs Work? ~ Windows Fanatics