Windows 7: Transferred programs and os to SSD, not what I expected

So I just received my Intel 240GB 520 SSD. My intention was to move the Windows, Program Files (x86), and Program Files folders to the SSD hoping that would basically give me the exact same setup except the programs and os launch off the SSD leaving the Users folder and everything else on my HDD.



After migrating the data (paragon software) I booted up on the SSD, the desktop was black it apparently couldn't be found, none of my settings were the same, none of the programs started automatically, directx was 'not found', it was definitely not what i expected, help with this would be great!

thanks

i've tried to use cloning software with ssd's in the past and seen the exact same results as you describe using emc retrospec, similar software for migration.

I can only surmise it's to do with how ssd's manage information.

the only solution i found was to do a clean install, which i must say is recommended for an ssd, otherwise you may end up with odd things happening, you don't want windows trying to defrag an ssd that is suppose to be using trim instead due to it not realising it's on an ssd.

Often times people wish to migrate their OS which is fine if the hardware is the same, switching to an ssd changes things i'm not certain there is any migration software that works well with ssd's some say they support it but they end up with similar results to yourself.

Take a look at this tutorial by whs for transferring an OS to an SSD.
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

I recently bought an SSD and transferred the OS using a modified Geeky approach.
I think most people purchase the program to use the Easy way and prefer that approach.

If you used the Paragon Migration tool, that should not have happened. I used it many times with perfect results. Can you describe in a bit more detail what exactly you have done.

Ok, so I installed the ssd in to my PC. I initialized it in disk management, I cleaned it using diskpart, I then used the paragon software I chose to migrate the folders
-Windows
-Program Files (x86)
-Program Files

Leaving the rest in my WD HDD
After migrating I restarted my pc
I entered the bios (I could not change the order of my boot devices, the ssd was not showing up on the boot order so I used the boot menu to choose the ssd for now)
I then booted up and everything I explained above happened.

Looks like you left a bunch of OS files off. Why don't you transfer the whole OS without selecting specific files.

It sounds like you only migrated 3 folders to the SSD:
-Windows
-Program Files (x86)
-Program Files
"Leaving the rest in my WD HDD"

The tutorial says to transfer the entire "C:" partition to the SSD
I think this what is causing your problem.
I restored entire OS Partitions from Acronis backup images when i migrated to an SSD and had no problems.

Did you use the Paragon program specified in the tutorial, or some other Paragon program?

I'm no expert, so wait for whs to post back.
gregrocker is probably the best Windows 7 install expert here so if he gives advice, it is good!

edit: whs beat me to it !

I used the paragon software in that tutorial, but the thing is is that the contents on my HDD is more than the capacity of the SSD, that's why I thought I could just transfer the programs and OS.

-I was under the impression the whole OS was the windows folder??

One way or another you need to get your HD OS down in size to fit into the SSD.
If you store a lot of media files on the OS HD, you can move them to a different partition.
If you're a gamer you may need to uninstall/reinstall games to a different partition.

How much space is used on your HD C: partition, and what data is on it?

Most tech users store data and games on a different partition than the "C:" OS + programs partition.
It sounds like you store everything on the C: partition.

Yeah everything is on my C partition. Right now I have used 376GB of my HDD, if I move most of my media elsewhere, I would just be able to fit my Users, Windows, and both program files folders on the SSD, but then I probably wouldn't be able to install new programs...
I was hoping to put all of my programs on the SSD so they could launch faster.