Imaging PXI-8840 to PXI-8842

[expertnovice]

Hey folks,

I inherited a PXIe-8840 National Instruments controller running Windows 10 IoT. To remain on our corporate network I need to upgrade to Windows 11. 

I ordered a new PXIe-8842 controller also with Windows 10 IoT that has an Intel Core i5 and is capable of upgrading to Windows 11 IoT with the NI Field Upgrade Kit. Before performing the upgrade, I would like to create a full system image of my existing PXIe-8840 controller -National Instruments drivers, applications, and configurations- so that I can deploy it onto the new PXIe-8842 controller. This will allow me to preserve my current setup and ensure continuity before upgrading to Windows 11 IoT. 

Does anyone have experience imaging these PXI controllers? The "Creating Image" guidance below seems to be what I need, I'm wondering if anyone has used the Acronis tool to create an image. The "Tools for Cloning" guidance includes a note not to image one part number and deploy on a different part number, which is what I need to do so I'm a little hesitant. 

Creating Image:

https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA00Z0000019OETSA2&l=en-US

Tools for cloning:
https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA00Z0000019OEOSA2&l=en-US
Imaging PXI controllers:
https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/labview-mimo-5g-6g-research-design-library-get-start/page/image...

I have two of these systems, so I ordered another PXI-8842 but with Windows 11 installed at factory. I'm running an experiment of sorts here to find what is easier, imaging my existing controller and deploying on new hardware or having Windows 11 shipped and manually installing all the numerous drivers this system needs. 

Appreciate any help.
Nick

[santo_13 · Accepted solution]

Cloning must be used only on the same model and make, and not across different models.

I advise against even attempting to apply the image from 8840 on 8842.

[DJLAT]

I am in the same boat right now as my 8840's  need to be imaged and the Acronis 12.5 Hardened edition we have been using for years just

stopped creating the backups.  This was due to a recent WIN 10 update and the end of support for V12.5 in July 25.  I am trying to get more life out of these controllers by updating the HDD to an SSD so need the images.  One controller was successfully updated in April and works much better.  I have an 8842 as well which I installed win11 on in an attempt to run our older LV software on using older drivers. Its iffy at best.  I would not restore an image made on a 8840 to an 8842 but it may be worth a try. I did fresh installs on the 8842.  If you have all the installations and program files it would probably be best to start fresh on the new controller.  I am curious if the image would work however.  Good luck!

[expertnovice]

Thanks for the thoughts, I contacted support at Emerson to see if they have any input but looks like we won't be taking that route. 

[expertnovice]

Ah good to know. On the brightside, with our factory shipped Windows 11 8842 the fresh install process worked for us. Plenty of speedbumps with configuring everything as it should be but seems to be fully functional now. I contacted Emerson support to see if they have any input regarding the image as I'm still curious.