Multiboot HDD-W7 + HDD-XP + SSD-W7

whs · 05 Mar 2015

With the Paragon tool you need not do anything - no alignment, no partition, nothing. You install the SSD and run the paragon program. It will discover the SSD automatically and you only have to do 3 easy clicks - you will see. After the migration look into Disk Management because your C partition on the SSD will only be 26GBs. That you have to extend then to cover the whole unallocated space.

The one thing you have to do though is to change the boot order in the BIOS so that the SSD is always first. Then if you want to boot into the systems on the HDD, you have to change the temporary boot order to make the HDD first. The HDD still has a copy of the bootmgr even if you copied it to C on there.

Another thought I am having - go for a 128GB SSD - make 2 partitions (64GB each) - run W7 off the first and have some sort of a backup/recovery image on the 2nd?

That is not a good idea. Make images to an external device instead. No way would I partition such a small SSD. If your SSD system really goes belly up, you can recover it from the image in 20 minutes. And if you want an 'immediate' system, you can always work with the system on the HDD. But remember, any extra system you have you also have to maintain. And that is a pain.

If you want safe internet surfing, use a virtual Linux partition. That's what I do. I have uploaded a ready to go Mint Mate system that you could use. See here. Click on the tile on my OneDrive.

AlanRR · 05 Mar 2015

Thank you for that.

Presumably you say the SSD partition will only be 26BG because Paragon will only create a partition large enough to copy my existing W7 installation?

Am I correct in assuming from your explanation in the second paragraph that I will not have a triple boot system as such but that I will retain the ability to run my existing dual boot system when I set my HDD as 1st boot in bios, and that when I want my SDD W7 I just set the SSD as 1st boot?

Not quite what I wanted but I don't see a problem as I seldom load XP these days and hopefully HDD W7 will be very boring in comparison to my SSD W7.

Thank you again for your help - it is much appreciated as I learn how to get my SSD online while still retaining my ability to go back to XP for old times sake.

whs · 05 Mar 2015

1. Yes
2. Yes

If you have questions once the SSD is in your system, post here or send me PM.

AlanRR · 07 Mar 2015

One small detail - earlier you mentioned copying the bootmgr to C: from H: (in my case).

Planning to use Paragon to migrate W7 to SSD - would this action still be necessary or will Paragon sort that for me?

SSD now ordered (Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB) and should be with me by Wednesday next.:)

Thanks.

whs · 07 Mar 2015

Paragon should pick up the bootmgr. Try that first.

AlanRR · 11 Mar 2015

Oh dear - do not understand this - why can Paragon not fit 97GB into 119GB?

whs · 11 Mar 2015

That is weird indeed. I would try again.

AlanRR · 11 Mar 2015

I have - several times - I've read all the FAQ's on Paragon site and nothing seems to address any issues of this nature - so I've posted a support ticket to them with the above image - and am now waiting......

Thanks for your speedy reply - shame its not something I've done

whs · 11 Mar 2015

Was the SSD formatted in NTFS ?

AlanRR · 11 Mar 2015

No - I have not specifically formatted it as I remember reading somewhere it was advised not to (see attached image snipped from the Paragon SSD Troubleshooting guide) and they mentioned leaving as unallocated space which is what mine currently shows.

I also read somewhere about not doing a full format - just do a quick format.

I have attached 3 images one from disc-management and one of the Properties of the SSD - and a piece from the Paragon site.

So do you think this suggests I should give it a quick format before using Paragon? In all the stuff I've read from them there's no mention of any need to format.