Migrating to SSD (Windows restore problems)

My first post here so I hope this is the correct thread :)

Ok, I own a Windows 7 PC (64bit) with 3 hard drives. Main drive contains 2 partitions (C drive for Windows system and D drive which is used for data) while the last two are used for data (E & F drives).

To improve performance I want to migrate the C partition to a new SSD disk. I have made a Windows image backup to a external HDD which only contains the small hidden system partition (100MB) and the C (Windows system) partition. D, E and F drives is not included in the backup. Both the hidden system partition and C partition are smaller than the SSD (240GB).

I have disconnected the old main drive (C+D) and connected the new SSD instead. BIOS recognize the new drive and it is set as primary.
I boot from my Windows 7 system recovery DVD (I made earlier) to restore the backup to the new SSD disk, but Windows recovery refuses to restore to the new disk. The backup files are found on the external HDD and can be selected and I can select the new SSD as destination, but when the restore process attemps to start, the application gives me an error and halts. The error text is Danish (Danish Windows 7 version) but it says something like "cannot find a disk to be used for recovery/restore system disk".

What am I doing wrong?

And what's the "right" way to migrate to the SSD if this method is not possible?

Thanks in advance!

If you don't mind spending $20 Paragon Migrate OS to SSD - System migration to Solid State Drives (SSD) - Overview

Otherwise, I don't think you can do it with windows system image - unless the ssd is larger than your original disk.

Other disk imaging programs can do it - I use Paragon for image and restore - they have a free version you could try.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/

You would need to make a Paragon Image, then restore that image to the new drive.

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm a bit paranoid to use "unknown" software for such a critical task. I have been burned before :O

Also, I'm not migrating the second partition (drive D) to SSD, I'm not sure Paragon even support this.

As I understand it, the SSD is larger than C?

It should work, but it isn't foolproof. Many would tell you to use something other than the Windows tool--most often Macrium.

You might try cloning rather than imaging.

From your description, it sounds like you have 1 image file containing both System Reserved and C? You might have better luck by making separate images files for each of those partitions.

Paragon Migrate is highly regarded if you want to pay $20.

Macrium is free.

I'd disconnect E and F to avoid confusion.

You just have to decide if troubleshooting for an unknown number of hours is preferable to a clean install. Most people clone or image without incident, but you never know.

This is what I'd do and what I recently did with my wifes computer.
Others may have a different method.
There will be no 100mb recovery partition on your SSD, so stop here if you want that for some reason. I see no value in it since I use images for recovery.
Get the Macrium Reflect WinPE ISO that whs has provided.
Somebody can provide that link.
Burn the ISO to a SD/DVD.
Make sure you also have a Win 7 recovery CD.
Make an image of your C: partition to your external drive using Macrium.
Partition your SSD as you like, as long as the partition is as large as the C: partition you imaged. You can do it from within Win 7 or use a free partioning utility recommended on this forum. Somebody can recommend one. I think you can use your Win 7 install disk if you have one. Can't remember.
Anyway, you can't hurt anything as long as your current system drive is detached.
Then restore the image to the new SSD partition using the Macrium CD.
Boot the Win 7 recovery CD and select "rebuild mbr"
You can then boot your SSD into Win 7. And you'll have good imaging and partitioning tools.

You have to Format the SSD Dr

I caved and bought Paragon Migrate for $20 which seems to do the trick :)

Fast and easy to use - and my PC is performing much better now with the new SSD.
The old main HDD (with C and D drive) is disconnected at the moment - if I reconnect it as the next available disk, will the old boot partition and C partition cause any problems with the drive lettering, etc - or just be assigned a new?

Beano said:

if I reconnect it as the next available disk, will the old boot partition and C partition cause any problems with the drive lettering, etc - or just be assigned a new?

It won't cause any problems. You can then repartition the old drive as desired.