Moving software to an new Drive Question:

[Jsch38]

Customer has adobe creative suite 2 on a HD. Anyone know if I can copy the program folder to the new drive without any issues ? Reason I am doing it is the that Adobe allows users 3 times to reinstall software to a new machine and the user has used up their 3 reinstall options. Kept moving software to a new computers. Thanks in Advance

 

[Kitten Kong]

To be honest, I think to have answered your own question there.

If adobe only allows 3 reinstalls, and it has been done 3 times, then it's a new licence.

There are program's out there, which do copy program's over to replacement drives. Laplink is one of them.

However I cannot vouch for the program, I only know of its existence. I have seen pro and con reviews.

 

[16k_zx81]

No, you definitaly cant copy Progra~1 folder and paste it. Will not work.

Really very little information in your original post. Dont understand how come you're not just imaging the old hdd to the new hdd?

What is the state of the old hdd?

Why was the old hdd replaced? - what files were damaged if faulty?

Assuming the data is there you could try virtualising the app and transporting it. Adobe stuff is notoriously hard to copy though I think its unlikely this will work.



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[acscva]

On some of the Adobe software there is an option to un-activate from a PC. This would allow reinstallation on a different PC.

 

[OneHandClapping]

....Laplink is one of them.

However I cannot vouch for the program, I only know of its existence. I have seen pro and con reviews.

I've used Laplink PCMover many times with only minor issues.

 

[TimM]

On some of the Adobe software there is an option to un-activate from a PC. This would allow reinstallation on a different PC.

Exactly. You can only have it activated on three computers but you can activate it on a fourth machine if you deactivate it on one of the original three.

From http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/activation-deactivation-products.html

"Deactivate your software
If you have reached your maximum activation allotment and want to install the software on a new computer, first deactivate the software on the computer you no longer use. Then, activate the software on the new computer.

If your computer is offline, put it online temporarily to complete deactivation. If you are unable to bring it online, contact Adobe Customer Support so they can assist you to deactivate an offline computer."

 

[FremontPC]

Yes, even if you do a bare metal restore there are more than a few programs that will realize they're on a different system and carp at you. Adobe, Intuit, Nuance, the list goes on. Just copying the programs folder over, that won't even begin to work for anything but standalone programs.

 

[Jsch38]

To add to my orginial post. My goal is to copy a drive that had win xp on it and crashed. System32/config file is corrupted so windows will not boot. I would like to copy the drive and run a repair using win XP. I do want to attempt any repair on the orginial drive until I have solution that works on the copied drive. I agree on imaging the drive, however the cable for my imaging rig is missing and I had to order a new one. So how can I image the orginial drive to another drive when the orginial has crashed ? I looked at Herin's disk and did not see any imaging tools. Did I miss a tool on Herin's I could have used ?

 

[Easy PC]

You can use Clonzilla for imaging and can boot this from a cd or usb pen. You can clone the XP drive onto an external drive.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Adobe will let you install on as many PCs as you want you just have to call in and get the old ones deactivated. End user doesn't know what he/she is talking about.

Reinstall windows and make a phone call. Bill end user. Easy.

 

[NETWizz]

My recommendation:
1. Recover ALL your customer's data. Slave this drive and copy off all those irreplaceable photos, music, video of that Middle-School graduation, etc. (Have a Data-Loss Waiver AND recovery fee)

2. Look at the offine registry and Program Files to get a list of what software will need to be re-installed for the client. (You don't get paid for this, but it helps in the next step)

3. Get ALL the media from the client along with the Keys and any COAs etc. and CONFIRM what software you will re-install and with what licences and what that will cost. At this point you MAY need to recover keys with software and/or contact Adobe to de-activate software etc. This is where you will SET your expectations in writing and the work order <== What specifically will be re-installed. (i.e. The customer may have had dozens of B.S. things like Coupon Printer, Free Screensavers, etc... Obviously you only re-install bonafide things like Office, Adobe, etc.)

4. Replace failed hard drive with one one (labor charge & sale of replacement drive)

5. Install OS & Drivers & Activate & Updates & AntiVirus blah blah (labor charges or flat rate service fees)

6. Install ALL of customer's software as agreed, activate their software & update it, etc... (more labor charges)

7. Copy Customer's data back. (pretty much included in the data recovery above... unless you separate the two)

8. Get Paid

9. Return PC to happy customer.