Need help from the Big Dogs

[Harry]

I just purchased a new barebones computer system into which I plan to move my current hard drives. New system is a full tower, Intel i7, 12ghz ram. Can I simply move the current drives, OS and all, into the new case? I will be upgrading to Vista 64 Ultimate after the integration in order to take advantage of the ram.

[kewk]

You can simply move the drives over from the old PC and use those as standard drives. If they are SATA drives ought only need to plug them in and turn the PC on. You cannot plug that drive in the PC and use it as the primary OS drive unless you format it first.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Harry

Can I simply move the current drives, OS and all, into the new case?

You can try, but it probably will not work. That is, the current configuration of your OS will likely not work with the new chipset, etc., on the new motherboard. Worth a shot, though. It did work for me on one system I have.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by JDArt

You can try, but it probably will not work. That is, the current configuration of your OS will likely not work with the new chipset, etc., on the new motherboard. Worth a shot, though. It did work for me on one system I have.

I've done it as well but it's a painful process if not done correctly.

Download the drivers for your new motherboard chipset as well as any new components BEFORE you make the switch. Just don't install them. Put them in a known place on the C: drive. Then move everything over.

When the computer boots up, it will most likely go into Safe Mode. Start installing the drivers at that point, starting with anything associated with the motherboard (chipset first, then everything else).

When the drivers are finished and you can get into Windows and online, run Windows Update to get the latest of everything else.

Test absolutely everything FIRST. THEN proceed with the 64-bit upgrade.

[felix.reichardt]

Not a good idea IMHO even if it somehow works. If you ave organized everything on separate partitions (OS, DATA) then put the drives in the new machine. Install the OS and when asked
either erase the OS partition or format it and then tell the install to put the OS in there. That
way you will have a faster and cleaner OS. After the install your data drives/partitions should be there and you can use them immediately.

One tip: Wait for Windows 7 or start using Win 7 RC 64 bit (free download). You will have so much more fun with that OS than with Vista, believe me. I think it comes out in October.

Some things may not work with 64 bit. U can basically only use 32 bit browser since Adobe flash for 64 bit only exists for linux. My Canon scanner does not have drivers for 64 bit - so sooner or later I will replace it (thanks CANON !!!! - they are lazy with drivers).

Is that 12 GIG of RAM? I have 8 GB and the only time Win 7 uses it is when I have VMWare with business software, LR and working on CS4 PS on massive things (multiple layers, intensive filters). Video encoding uses more processor power from my findings.

[Harry]

Thanks, this is pretty much the hassel that I remember it being. I think I am going to go with a PC mover and cable setup to move over to the new config, so I don't have to sit and reinstall all of my software. Biggest headache is always with my video editing software, which requires me to contact the company for a new reg number everytime I make changes like this.

Yep, 12gb, it's what comes with the new mobo. Asus P6t, intel i7 920, 4 500gb sata drives, full tower because I'm tired of working inside of cramped cases. I already have an unused Vista 64 ultimate sitting on my shelf that I was going to put on my current machine.

[Stercus Vultus]

What do you use all that horsepower for, Harry?

[Harry]

I want all I can get for doing my video edits, 3d, special effects etc. . . that and I like a little extra power.

[Stercus Vultus]

Sounds like a big block Dodge to me.

[Harry]

Actually, you all know that time is money and this should shave more minutes of of rendering time. My original setups would take nearly an entire day to render from avi to mpeg 2, all the time hoping that you hadn't made any editing mistakes. My two newer setups took that down to near real time, 2 hour video render to mpeg 2 in 2 hours. My core 2 duo didn't seem to improve on that much. The i7 is supposed to cut to well below real time. Of course, now the rumor mill has it that there is a new Intel chip coming out soon that puts the i7 to shame. Where the i7 is still a core 2 quad clone, the new one is supposed to be entirely different way faster than the i7.

[Lin Evans]

Hi Harry,

What are you using for a video card? Several new software programs use hardware rendering which avails itself of the power of the GPU rather than the CPU. Sometimes having the right video card makes a world of difference in rendering time.

Best regards,

LIn

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Lin Evans

Hi Harry,

What are you using for a video card? Several new software programs use hardware rendering which avails itself of the power of the GPU rather than the CPU. Sometimes having the right video card makes a world of difference in rendering time.

Best regards,

LIn

I don't remember what video cards I've been using, but they've always been substantial. Using Vegas 8.0, download directly via firewire and render with Vegas, video card deals mainly with previewing, not rendering. Vegas will put a good CPU to work in a hurry.

[Lin Evans]

Hi Harry,

Yes, Sony Vegas is primarily CPU dependent, but hardware rendering is coming. Photoshop CS4 Extended uses hardware rendering, PicturesToExe, Wings Platinum, etc., have all gone to hardware rendering which relieves much of the stress on the CPU for rendering.

You can always find out which video card, etc., you have in your system by going to "Start" "Run" then typing in "dxdiag" which will run a diagnostic that will give you all system parameters.

Best regards,

Lin

[Harry]

If I go to hardware rendering it will be with a shuttle-type computer set up to capture and encode and burn a DVD or CD at the same time. This is what I will be using for doing video depositions in the future.

[felix.reichardt]

I have the odd feeling that most of your RAM "will just collect dust":

When I open:

LR 2.3
CS4 PS with 3 PSD 5D Mark Images open (1 with 10 Layers)
6 Instances of Word 2003
Outlook
Opera (4 tabs)
6 instance of Excel 2003
MS Access
MSN Messenger
Media Player
Explorer
Paint

I still have 3 GB out of 8 GB available in Windows 7 ...

[Stercus Vultus]

Originally Posted by felix.reichardt

I have the odd feeling that most of your RAM "will just collect dust":

When I open:

LR 2.3
CS4 PS with 3 PSD 5D Mark Images open (1 with 10 Layers)
6 Instances of Word 2003
Outlook
Opera (4 tabs)
6 instance of Excel 2003
MS Access
MSN Messenger
Media Player
Explorer
Paint

I still have 3 GB out of 8 GB available in Windows 7 ...

Apples and pears, felix!
Try rendering a video while you have all that open and you may understand what Harry is on about.

[Stercus Vultus]

Originally Posted by Harry

The i7 is supposed to cut to well below real time.

"Is supposed to"...?
You mean you've got that setup, but haven't tried/tested that supposedly faster rendering yet?

Of course, now the rumor mill has it that there is a new Intel chip coming out soon that puts the i7 to shame. Where the i7 is still a core 2 quad clone, the new one is supposed to be entirely different way faster than the i7.

And of course you have already ordered it?

Remarkable, BTW, that you do heavy duty video editing and rendering, but not on an Apple MacPro. In your shoes I would get an octo-core.

[felix.reichardt]

Originally Posted by Stercus Vultus

Apples and pears, felix!
Try rendering a video while you have all that open and you may understand what Harry is on about.

Maybe rendering a 5D Mark II Full HD Video? LOL ... no issue at all.