My first SSD how to clone to HDD partitions

[mick1]

Hello to all
I have just Bought a new OCZ AGILITY 3 SATA III 120gb, And a new 500gHDD to use as for partitions and my back up with the ssd. I would Like to know is it Possible to partition the 500gb into ( 50gb - 50gb - 50gb - 150gb ) clone my SSD to the 150gb partition and run my APPs on one of the other partitions ??? the other thing is where should i put the system Reserved 100mb ?? windows install like to put them on a separate partition on the HDD !! i was thinking it is better to put system reserved + windows all on the SSD so its all there but im not sure ? How would u set this up if u were in my Place to get best performance ?? Thanks for ur help
MOBO Asus m5A78L LE , SATA 3,

 

[mick1]

200 + reviews but no one answer HMM ?? it cant be that hard

 

[C-11]

Some reading till someone answers your specific questions.

SSD - Install and transfer the Operating System - Windows 7 Forums

SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

 

[0pTicaL]

This is what I do to get rid of the 100MB partition.

Hack to Remove 100 MB System Reserved Partition When Installing Windows 7 - Use method 3 - Trick to Remove 100.00 MB System Reserved Partition During Setup

I wouldn't partition the 500GB drive so many times. I'd just leave it as one big drive and use folder shortcuts instead. A new partition does not mean a new disk meaning the drive will be susceptible to disk thrashing if you're moving (cut/copy paste) more than 1 transfer to the drive.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I follow the instructions to use DISKPART and never actually create the 100 MB partition in the first place. On that system, I wouldn't over-partition anything. Have the SSD as one partiton for the OS/apps, and then use the 500 GB as a single partition for your user data. I'm not sure why people think this way, but what good is the SSD if you install your apps on another drive? Apps and OS on C....user data, like pics, docs, etc on D.

If you are concerned about backups of the system volume, use something like Macrium Reflect to create system images and store them on D.

 

[mick1]

I follow the instructions to use DISKPART and never actually create the 100 MB partition in the first place. On that system, I wouldn't over-partition anything. Have the SSD as one partiton for the OS/apps, and then use the 500 GB as a single partition for your user data. I'm not sure why people think this way, but what good is the SSD if you install your apps on another drive? Apps and OS on C....user data, like pics, docs, etc on D.

If you are concerned about backups of the system volume, use something like Macrium Reflect to create system images and store them on D.

Thanks Great advice i only have 120gb on SSD i think this is more then enough to fallow ur Instructions ! but i do i move Pictures and document to D ?? when they r in C already right ?? and if i copy and past then i have them on C and D Right ?? Can u Please explain a little more about how to move user data to D so i can save space on C ??

Thanks Much will be waiting

 

[DeaconFrost]

The first step is to not store the data on C in the first place. I don't know anyone who still uses the "My" folders that a user profile defaults to. On my systems, I create folders on D for Documents, Photos, Music, etc, and then I point my libraries to them.

 

[0pTicaL]

The OP's question lead me to do some thinking. Since I've always been using method 3, is it better to use method 2 diskpart instead? Does method 2 or 3 results differ in any way?

 

[DeaconFrost]

I use Method 2 because it is done before installation, and it's a very quick process that takes less than a minute.

 

[essenbe]

I've always used diskpart also. It's quick and easy and done at the time of install.

 

[mick1]

The OP's question lead me to do some thinking. Since I've always been using method 3, is it better to use method 2 diskpart instead? Does method 2 or 3 results differ in any way?

Ok Thanks i took a Quick look at ur ((Hack to Remove 100 MB System Reserved Partition When Installing Windows 7 )) TUT very Nice info i did not know i can do all of this thanks much,, I am Rocky so my Question is what is so useful about deleting this 100mb ??? thanks ,, The other thing is i clones my SSD to my HDD and every thing boots up smooth but know i Lost all my Drive letter on my HDD hhhhh

 

[0pTicaL]

I've always used diskpart also. It's quick and easy and done at the time of install.

Method 3 is quick and easy and done at time of install too.

Ok Thanks i took a Quick look at ur ((Hack to Remove 100 MB System Reserved Partition When Installing Windows 7 )) TUT very Nice info i did not know i can do all of this thanks much,, I am Rocky so my Question is what is so useful about deleting this 100mb ??? thanks ,, The other thing is i clones my SSD to my HDD and every thing boots up smooth but know i Lost all my Drive letter on my HDD hhhhh

That's the main reason I do it (aesthetic), to remove a drive letter when cloning/imaging my SSD.

 

[essenbe]

The guide does not show him aligning the SSD. Whether diskpart will auto align, I don't know, but the installer will. But, why do diskpart if you are going to format with the installer. Quite simply, there needs to be no 'Hack' to remove the 100MB partition. If you align and format the SSD and then install to an already aligned partition, it will not create the 100MB partition. With the caveat that I never run 'Clean All' command on my SSDs, this is a good guide that gives the option to have or not have the 100MB partition. You will notice there is no hack. If you do this to an SSD during installation exit diskpart, then simply install, there will be no 100MB partition. Also, if it is a new SSD, you can omit the 'clean' command, and begin at the create partition primary. You will also be better off to disconnect all hard drives except the SSD and make sure your sata controller in in AHCI mode before starting. This was just an example to show someone how to do it on a reinstall.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Method 3 is quick and easy and done at time of install too.

That's the other reason I use DISKPART. Everything I've read says that the drive will be properly aligned each time with DISKPART, but not always with the GUI installer.

 

[mick1]

essenbe the Guide u provide here is amazing thank u, but it looks like this is only when i want to do a fresh install right ??? coz now every thing is up and running, the other thing is i try to avoid re installing Windows as much as i can coz lately i have been re installing Windows over and over coz i keep switching from raid to ahci and so,, now i am set on AHCI ,, so to avoid all the hassle and down time from re installing windows i did some google search and found this Unattended Installation Software for Windows Unattended Installation Software for Windows
this software says it will install windows and all other programs from scratch and u dont have to do anything ,,, so DO U KNOW anything about this software or anything similar ?? that can keep me away from the running around finding every thing back again ???

Last question what do u guys prefer Cloning or Imaging ???

u guys r the best thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Cloning and imaging are 2 different tools used for 2 different purposes. They aren't "competitors". Which you should use depends on your intentions.

What are your intentions?

Any why don't you install Windows once instead of so often that you are asking about unattended installations?

What are your intentions?

I've re-read the thread and don't fully understand your complaints or what you are trying to accomplish.

There's no particular point in agonizing over the 100 MB System Reserved partition either. Some use it and some don't. It hardly matters in the larger scheme of things.

 

[essenbe]

An SSD has to be in proper alignment. I have had issues with imaging, unless the image came from an aligned SSD. Others do not have such problems. There is a good tutorial here about transfering the OS by WHS which I can't get to right now. My prefered method is Paragon Migrate ($19.95) it will transfer the OS align it and has worked without fail for me on numerous occasions.

 

[mick1]

Cloning and imaging are 2 different tools used for 2 different purposes. They aren't "competitors". Which you should use depends on your intentions.

What are your intentions?

Any why don't you install Windows once instead of so often that you are asking about unattended installations?

What are your intentions?

I've re-read the thread and don't fully understand your complaints or what you are trying to accomplish.

There's no particular point in agonizing over the 100 MB System Reserved partition either. Some use it and some don't. It hardly matters in the larger scheme of things.

Ok good Enough so i will show u by Picture what has happened and what i would like to do ,, take a look at this ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

So Disk 0 is my SSD --- Disk 1 is my 500gbHDD ---Disk 2 is not important just an old HDD 80gb for some programs ... So when i cloned my SSD as u see i lost my Letters On my HDD the major Question is if i clone again it looks like Acronis will take out my A partition But i am not sure so this is what i want to know !! should i stop cloning and do imaging or i am ok with cloning and it wont take my partition A ?? or what will u do if u have this set up like me ??? all i want is to Avoid is losing Data and re installing windows every 2 day Hop i was clear and hop one of u guys can help thanks much

 

[0pTicaL]

Method 3 is quick and easy and done at time of install too.

That's the other reason I use DISKPART. Everything I've read says that the drive will be properly aligned each time with DISKPART, but not always with the GUI installer.

I guess both methods work just as well. As long as it's formatted under Windows 7 it will be properly aligned.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I guess both methods work just as well. As long as it's formatted under Windows 7 it will be properly aligned.

That's the point. From what I've read on here and elsewhere, it isn't always aligned properly using the GUI installer, as opposed to diskpart. Considering this, and how quick and easy it is to use diskpart, I don't take any chances. I'd rather spend a few seconds early on knowing it is done right.