Best way to transfer OS / program files to SSD

[Total]

Just bought a intel x25-m ssd , need to transfer only the OS (windows 7 ) and the program files to the new SSD . Ideas ? I tried the paragon os to SSD program but it seems to be stuck at calculating copy size for the last 2 hrs ? arrrrggg ..


Any advice . Thanks

 

[TVeblen]

The best way is to create a Disk Image of your old HDD OS partition and then install (clone) that image onto the new HDD.

Remove the old HDD, install the new HDD. Make sure everything works.

Then you just need to clean up the old HDD for whatever your are going to use it for. You can just format the old C: partition, or delete it.

 

[Total]

The best way is to create a Disk Image of your old HDD OS partition and then install (clone) that image onto the new HDD.

Remove the old HDD, install the new HDD. Make sure everything works.

Then you just need to clean up the old HDD for whatever your are going to use it for. You can just format the old C: partition, or delete it.

the only problem is : I wish to only move my windows and program files folder . then make the SSD bootable . MY existing C drive is around 400 Gigs but only need to move 50 gigs to the SSD .

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I assume your situation is something like this:

Existing hard drive has only one partition, C, and has at least 400 gb capacity and contains both Windows and your personal data. Total occupied space is 400 GB. Windows takes up only 50 of that 400.

If that is right, I think all you can do is get your personal data onto some other drive, leaving only Windows on the current C. Then shrink C from 400 to 50. Then make an image of C. Then restore this smaller C to the SSD.

Then copy your personal data back to whatever drive you want. I assume your data won't fit on the SSD.

But maybe I misunderstand your situation?

 

[Total]

I assume your situation is something like this:

Existing hard drive has only one partition, C, and has at least 400 gb capacity and contains both Windows and your personal data. Total occupied space is 400 GB. Windows takes up only 50 of that 400.

If that is right, I think all you can do is get your personal data onto some other drive, leaving only Windows on the current C. Then shrink C from 400 to 50. Then make an image of C. Then restore this smaller C to the SSD.

Then copy your personal data back to whatever drive you want. I assume your data won't fit on the SSD.

But maybe I misunderstand your situation?

You are correct I read some place that this should work for this ..
Paragon Migrate OS to SSD - Overview

has anyone used this software ?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Your problem may not be as difficult as I thought now that I think about it.

Most retail hard drives come with an app that can transfer a system from HD to HD. I don't know, but they may not be limited to transferring entire partitions. Maybe they can transfer just Windows and ignore your personal folders? I don't know because I don't buy retail hard drives and I always do a clean install when I do move to another drive.

The thing you have to check is whether the app in question can ignore your personal data when it transfers Windows or if it will move the entire partition--which you can't do because you have a 400 gig partition and are moving to a drive under 100 GB.

Drill into the details of that Paragon app and see how much control you have---you don't want to move everything on the partition. If you can't exclude your personal folders, you may have to do what I suggested in my original post.

Edit: I looked at the details and it looks like it is what you need---your have too much to move, but the app will let you exclude what you want.

That implies that the standard tools that come with a new retail drive don't allow you to exclude stuff and you must transfer to a partition at least as big as the source partition. Maybe so.

 

[TVeblen]

There is a larger issue in this scenario:

There are 3 major file types: OS, Program Files, and Personal Data. As Ignatzatsonis said, you can move the Personal Data, or using transfer software, leave it behind.

But if your installed programs were installed on the C: drive, that is where the OS is going to want them or they won't run. So to do this the easy way you need enough space on the SSD to move both OS and Program Files.

You could uninstall programs to reduce the size of the image and then just re-install them onto the larger (secondary) drive afterward. (Make an image of your existing drive before you do any of this so you have a painless way back if anything goes south).

At some point it becomes easier to just clean install W7 on the new SSD and then re-install your programs to the drives you want them to. You've got to do the math!

 

[Total]

All good now - I moved all the files that were not needed to another drive , kept moving files until I dropped the size to 70 gigs - then made a complete image and transferred it to the ssd .

Works 100 % and it is really fast now ..

Thanks for all your ideas

 

[whs]

All good now - I moved all the files that were not needed to another drive , kept moving files until I dropped the size to 70 gigs - then made a complete image and transferred it to the ssd .

Works 100 % and it is really fast now ..

Thanks for all your ideas

Does that mean that you had more data than would fit on the SSD (you did not specify the size of your SSD - I now assume 80GB in decimal). Because they advertise that they can move larger partitions to smaller SSDs.

 

[Total]

All good now - I moved all the files that were not needed to another drive , kept moving files until I dropped the size to 70 gigs - then made a complete image and transferred it to the ssd .

Works 100 % and it is really fast now ..

Thanks for all your ideas

Does that mean that you had more data than would fit on the SSD (you did not specify the size of your SSD - I now assume 80GB in decimal). Because they advertise that they can move larger partitions to smaller SSDs.

My original drive was 1 tb partitioned into 2 - 500 gig . So It did transfer from 500 gig (70 gigs used ) to a 80 gig SSD .

 

[whs]

But originally (when you got stuck) you must have had more data than would fit on an 80GB SSD - is that right? Because 70GBs should have fit. I am asking the question because I wanted to evaluate that tool myself. But they have not yet sent me the download link for the trial version. They are Germans at Paragon and don't work on Sundays - LOL.

 

[Total]

But originally (when you got stuck) you must have had more data than would fit on an 80GB SSD - is that right? Because 70GBs should have fit. I am asking the question because I wanted to evaluate that tool myself. But they have not yet sent me the download link for the trial version. They are Germans at Paragon and don't work on Sundays - LOL.

I had around 400 Gig used on the big drive , that I had move files off until I got down to 70 gigs . also migrate OS to SSD will correctly align copied partitions to 4K.

 

[whs]

Total, thanks for the answer. I figured that this was your original problem - trying to fit 5 gallons into a 1 quart pot, LOL. And it is good to know that their alignment works.

 

[Total]

Total, thanks for the answer. I figured that this was your original problem - trying to fit 5 gallons into a 1 quart pot, LOL. And it is good to know that their alignment works.

Only took around 6 hrs to move files .. it is lightning fast now ..
You will also need these files from intel , intel also has a FREE data migration software , The Intel® Solid-State Drive (SSD) Toolbox. Intel® SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool .
. http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Solid+State+Drives+and+Caching&ProductLine=Intel®+High+Performance+Solid+State+Drive&ProductProduct=Intel®+X25-M+Solid+State+Drive%2c+80GB+SATA+II+2.5in%2c+MLC%2c+High+Performance

 

[whs]

Thanks for the link. But my new SSD is an OCZ. My Intels are all older Gen1 and have been happily running for quite some time.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The notes to the Intel software contain this quote:

"After you install your Intel® SSD and the Intel® Data Migration software, the software will detect both your old and new drives and guide you through the cloning process, i.e. show you how to move all of your data from your slower HDD to your fast new SSD. Before you begin, however, make sure the amount of data on your old drive doesn't exceed the size of your new SSD."

I take that last sentence to mean that the Intel software does NOT have the same capabilities as the Paragon application and cannot exclude data chosen by the user?

The release notes say it is "powered by Acronis".