Is there an easier way- copying one disc to another

[Daff_Duck]

I am new to IT Engineering and am constantly having to replace old pcs. However the new pcs are imaged with XP and the relevant build software, most of the time I can slave the hard drives from the original pcs but rather than copying the profiles and settings etc is there an easier way of transferring all the information including obscure programmes that come to light after I have left?


I work in the NHS and there are clinical systems that I re install time and time again - I know that you cant clone a disc from one HP model to another and often wondered about file transfer wizard but don't know if it will capture all that I need

Does anyone else work in the Same field and have a more simplified and less time consuming way of getting the files and folders I need off one disc and onto the new build

 

[Daff_Duck]

Sorry I should have made myself clearer yes there is a build (image) for each model of slimline but it is just a basic image xp and sp and other essential HP software.

So for example Docman you have to install all over again along with other clinical software - mainly because not all the customers we support use standard apps across the board- if it was that simple then yes one image could fit all

I just wondered if there was an easier way of like Ghost or Acronis which could you could set to copy not the whole disc as obviously the models that you are copying from are not the same but the essential programes so that in effect you could slave the old disc and set a programme off that would copy the profiles of the users along with the essential programme files.. rather than having to re install the clinical software again from pen drives caddies etc.

I guess from what you are saying a true image has not been done (one that works across multiple sites- I doubt if that is going to happen) So It looks like its the long winded approach for the time being