Restore Disk Backup to a different CPU

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I am an IT,  maintaining two PC servers in my office.  I have a  different backup for my PC server (win 2k3 and win 2k).  I use a cloning disk software and a Microsoft NT backup tools. 

The problem is,  how can I use these backups in the future if I have a motherboard or CPU breakdown? Definitely there wouldn't be a brand new motherboard with the same model if I had bought these CPU last 4 years ago. 

Can I transfer these backup in a different model but with the same brand of motherboard/CPU and with higher performance? Can you also recommend me a backup software for this type of problems? 

Many thanks.

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Answered By 0 points N/A #117194

Restore Disk Backup to a different CPU

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I wouldn't recommend restoring a disk backup of another motherboard even if the new motherboard would have the same brand (but different model).  

However, if the new motherboard would have the same brand and model even if it has a different processor or hard drive, then. there will be no problem.

This is because your disk backup will have Windows drivers configured for the old system.  If you restore your backup to a different motherboard there's a possibility that your system will not boot up at all.  

Even if you do succeed in booting up, all devices will most likely have driver errors under the device manager.  To fix those errors you will have to uninstall those old drivers, install the drivers for your new motherboard and any other on board devices such as graphics, LAN, sound, etc.  

Even after you do all that work resolving those driver conflicts, there is still no guarantee that the system will be stable.  

So, my suggestion is to just do a full installation from scratch.  The time and effort will roughly be the same than if you rely on backup restoration, but at least, you can be assured of an stable installation.

Just my two cents regarding your question.

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