Every 5 years or so, I'm forced to upgrade computer before it dies or becomes so slow I'm not productive. I've been doing that since I owned my first PC (286) in 1984. I try to get a machine that will be workhorse for at least five years. I usually purchase in the fall when Dell and others will negotiate prices with you. Then spend some down time during the holidays migrating from the old computer to the new.
Each upgrade cycle, it has gotten more and more difficult because the amount of data I keep and the number of must-have software and the tweaking. Or maybe I'm just getting old ...
This whole year I found myself thinking about switching to a Mac - after twenty plus years of being a PC user. I decided, in the end, that it would have been too expensive and because my home office has a LAN that I share with my husband who is a PC user - and for the sake of our marriage we decided not share a cross-platform LAN. Maybe in 2010 well both switch!
So, this year, my new, bigger and faster computer arrived in early December just when I was packing my bags to go to London for the GV Summit. It sat in the box for three weeks during the holiday rush and December work deadlines. Why couldn't I open that box? Did I really want to subject myself to changing my work habits when I'm under pressure to get things done? What new challenges would await me when I opened that box? Will it be a plug and play experience or will my children ask me why I'm using the "f" word so much?
How will I ever make migrating all my software, tweaks, customizations, configuration info, etc. as efficient as possible so I can start the new year ready to roll?
The first couple of steps are done:
- Set up switch box so I can bounce back and forth from my old system to new system from one monitor and keyboard.
- Create the master list of what needs to be ported over or installed on new system (config. info, software owned, software downloaded, files)
- Identify what config info can be exported/imported
- Think about file folder structure and how to improve on new system -- since I've been using tagging, my file folder and document naming habits have gotten totally sloppy. I have 20 years of files on my hard drive - honestly. Do I really need all that?
- Research the trick your IPOD music collection can live on different computers or at least be copied over.
- Identify what software won't work on the 64 bit system and find alternatives (esp. virus software)
- Identify - roughly the priority order of moving things over and getting operational
- Set a deadline for moving the old computer downstairs to the playroom and setting up with educational software that is age appropriate for Harry and Sara. They won't care if the computer is slow.
Getting started ....
It was a little annoying to learn that 64-bit virus protection option from Norton was the corporate version with a minimum license purchase being a ten-pack at $50 per license. This is progress from six months ago and noted here. However, got a tip that they might approve a one-license purchase and to call about it (1-800-721-3934). So as not to be totally unprotected, I grabbed anti-virus software from AVAST because the home version is free and if I can't get a one-license deal from Norton, perhaps professional versional version of AVG is best. No, I'm not regretting not buying the Mac and only a little regretting the 64-bit xp.
The priority to get operational was my email and firefox so I could blog and get email. What does that say? I experienced culture shock with Outlook because the interface for Outlook200 and Outlook2003 are very different, but it appears to be mostly cosmetic.
Hmm ... this is liberating .... I can discard some rules, unsubscribe from lists, and reorganized folders and task categories ... yes, this is going to be slow. Thank god you can export/import rules and pst files! Also need to get plaxo running and decide whether or not I need spambayes or just the Outlook junk filter. Advice? And of course, have to dig up my GTD notes on how to customize outlook tasks -- haven't got that memorized.
Hmm ...this is going take a long time ...
First impression ... I'm totally happy with the bigger flat monitor - it's larger than my previous monitor and better resolution. Hey, I might not need the stronger prescription for reading glasses after all ...
Update: I have decided that Windows xp-64 is not worth it and after some back and forth with tech support learn that it doesn't come automatically shipped with new computers -- special request. So, this is was a big mistake on their part. So, now I'm going to wipe the hard drive and go back to Windows XP 32-bit. I raised hell with customer care and am awaiting some compensation .....
Thank you , the 64 bit will cost more now. Please help , I have a p2 333 win 2000 pro dual boot. I just bought a hp 3200 xp, and I would like to bring most of the programs and data to the newer pc. Is there any easy way??????
Posted by: Doug | March 21, 2006 at 01:09 PM