Convert to Vista64

My current computer has Windows XP. A friend has a Vista64 system that I am thinking of buying. What I want to know is how do I transfer everything over to the vista computer? Will it take my outlook file, favorites and my docs?
What about programs? Can I use my WinXP Photoshop install disk for Vista64?

 

I'd suggest that if you end up buying the system, you install Windows Vista x64 from scratch. This would - remove the crapware on the new system (if present), remove the softwares that he/she/it had installed on it/bloatware off it, enable you to create partitions as per your requirement(s), and amongst other things, you'd have a fresh OS. Then, install your softwares, and copy your documents, favorites and outlook file (and import it in Outlook) from the old computer.

However, if the system is new, or you're fine with the way it is setup, just copy your files from old system to the new one.

If you wanted to know about the ways to do it (transfer), click here.

As for the programs, I don't think one can just copy softwares from a system to another and not run into problems (especially when copying from an x86-32 platform (I'm assuming this to be your platform) to an x86-64 platform), so you'd have to install them again anyways.

I don't know what "WinXP Photoshop install disk" is, but if it's a Photoshop install disk for Windows XP, then yes, it'd work great.

 

The way you say that you are contradicting yourself.
First you say he should clean instal - then you mention crapware, retracting on your statement, and at the end you say if the system were new he shouldn't reinstal everything?


Basically - if the laptop runs Ok as is - no lagging etc. do not bother with a clean instal - if you find it slow, a clean instal would be the best idea.

Partitions - I believe there is numerous software that will happily repation drives - I think gparted is one of them.

It is true that you can't just copy (most) software from one system to another, but that's not due to the 32Bit or 64Bit.
The problem you run into here is that most software uses the registry - the moment you copy it over it'll lack those registry entries.

Exceptions to the rule that I know:
CCleaner - will run from a USB drive on any computer
QIP - will after installation on USB drive run from any computer

Reason - these programs, are, let me say inert - they have all they need in their littl folder and don't require a registry.

About 32 and 64 Bit software.
Most 32Bit software will run under 64Bit - i.e. generally you should be fine.

Photoshop - I am pretty sure that an older XP version will work under Vista, at least in compatebility mode.

However - if you have a 32Bit version of Photoshop you wont see much of an improvement.
Wishmaker has a 64Bit Photoshop Edition - you may ask him about his experience.

Outlook:
I don't know which version of Office you use, but Outlook 2007 will read older Outlook data files too - just copy the datafile over and point Outlook to the right file - that should recover your e-mails, it will not transfer your account settings.

Favorites:
In XP as well as in Vista IE Favorites are just links in a folder, copy the XP folder to a USB device and copy the links into the favorites folder in Vista.

For Firefox - save a backup copy on the XP machine and load that on the Vista machine.

Opera - I can't tell you, Opera is acting up again...

 

Read it again, I've edited it for you. Don't just look for shiny pictures, but read the post this time.

So, where'd I contradict myself?

I gave my suggestion, and if the OP isn't comfortable with that, I posted an alternate way (to just copy over the files from the old system to the new one). And then I answered his/her's other 2 questions.


You, on the other hand, summarised my post, and then added gibberish at the end of it about CCleaner, QIP, 64 bit Photoshop and whatnot!

 

You were (are??) contradicting yourself by putting your statements in the wrong order.
That was all.

 

No, I'm not.