Cloning Win 7 SSD for backup computer

Tharwatime · 05 Apr 2017

A problem has arisen with a backup.

The online computer has a SSD with Win 7 and software. Data is on expansion drives. I run a full Acronis backup every week, with incremental backups three times a week, all onto the main USB drive, which is copied to backup USB drives.

There's a backup computer, very similar in architecture to the online computer. Both are Dells. One main difference is that the online box has a SSD and the backup box has a SATA drive. Once a month I update the backup box with the latest Acronis backup. This afternoon something went wrong, backup box not booting, and I think it would be easier to clone the SSD onto the SATA.

There's a number of ways to do this, such as
http://www.pagestart.com/win7bckuprstrnhd072610.html
One main difference is that the SATA drive has Win 7 and the software. I'm unsure if:
1 the pagestart advice is the best way;
2 if I should format the SATA drive; and
3 if there are other steps that should be undertaken.

Advice regarding the above would be valued. TIA.

fireberd · 05 Apr 2017

The best option is to make a full backup (disc image) of the SSD (all partitions). Then restore that to the other drive. The only issue will be the Windows activation. You can't use the SSD's Windows activation on the 2nd PC.

Cloning is hit or miss. Works for some, does not work for others. Disc image is much better.

RolandJS · 05 Apr 2017

"...Cloning is hit or miss. Works for some, does not work for others. Disc image is much better..."
Fireberd, you are meaning, for example, Macrium Reflect's Intelligent Copy full imaging of a partition or of the whole hard-drive, correct? I'm learning more and more from good folks like you!

Tharwatime · 05 Apr 2017

Thank you for that advice. I can make a disc image and restore to the SATA drive. Should I format the SATA drive first? The backup computer, the one with the SATA drive, is not online unless the SSD box breaks. Are there any other issues that should be known about the process?

fireberd · 05 Apr 2017

You don't have to format first. Just restore to the SATA drive. I think Acronis can do this, I used to use it but switched to Macrium Reflect a couple of years ago.

RolandJS, I tried cloning from a mechanical drive to an SSD and never was successful. Various problems arose when trying to clone, first with the clone program that came with the new Samsung EVO 850 SSD drive - it got to Windows "configuring" but never got any further. I tried the clone in Macrium Reflect (I have a paid version) and it too failed trying to boot. I tried another program (don't remember what it was) and it too failed. I posted a question about this on the forum. Several responded including one of the software gurus "whs" and he tried some clones. He had some failures and some success. He tried on Win 7 with several cloning programs and also with Linux. His conclusion was that it was "hit or miss" and "works for some and not others". I work several other forums including a recording software forum and the conclusion seems to be the same there.

Tharwatime · 05 Apr 2017

Mnay thanks for the advice. I attempted to use Monday's Acronis backup and again it failed to boot afterward. I then used the BU from the week before and it worked. It seems that last Monday's BU is corrupt.