SSD Question

I have my files backed up on a Hard Drive with Macrium Reflect. When I get my SSD, why can't I just restore the Macrium image as I did with the Hard Drive. I am guessing this can't be done or there wouldn't be a Tutorial about the migration the OS to a SSD. Without getting too technical, why can't I use the normal Macrium restore? Thanks,

You can use Macrium but you would need to set the alignment manually. I have not tried it myself as the initial step.
After it is imaged the first time and the alignment is set then you can image all you want.

You have to initialize the SSD first then set alignment. You can't align unallocated space.
Use the OS on the HD to access the SSD through Disk Management and create allocated space or partition.
Then open CMD and set the alignment on the SSD per WHS's tutorial>

Just go to WHS's tutorial the first section covers it all to initialize and align without fancy software.> SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

Look for this below and keep reading Geeky way!
I hope that helps!

Transfer the Operating System

There are two ways to transfer the operating system from your current HDD to the SSD:
1. The Geeky way which comes for free and
2. The easy way that costs $19.95.

1.The Geeky way requires the following steps:

I accessed the SSD from the W7 on the HD until the SSD was set up. When finished reboot and I changed the boot order in bios from the HD to the SSD.
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Intel SSD's have free software that works great on Intels.

Samsung has free Ghost and I have heard good and bad. Yup it is Norton Ghost. I didn't use it I had Paragon already. So?????

Spring of 2011 they had a free version of this available.> Paragon Migrate OS to SSD - System migration to Solid State Drives (SSD) - Overview
This is what is posted on WHS's tutorial.

If my free version was damaged beyond recovery I would immediately pay the $20 and buy it...and I hate paying for software.
Well worth the money IMO.

Either way will work.

Yes, I have found WHS's tutorial and it looks good. I am anxious to get the SSD in the mail and give it a go. Paragon is using the word "migrate". This does mean imaging from the HD to the SSD, correct?

bigmck said:

Yes, I have found WHS's tutorial and it looks good. I am anxious to get the SSD in the mail and give it a go. Paragon is using the word "migrate". This does mean imaging from the HD to the SSD, correct?

You install the Paragon Migrate on the HD and follow instructions and it automatically preps the SSD then clones the HD to the SSD.
The screen shot below may explain a little more. It is fairly simple. Select the System Reserve with the OS when prompted if you have it on the HD.

Below is the first window that opens. I clicked the ? Learn More button. Small writing but the yellow window closes with Snip so I had to Prt Scr.

Simple demo from Paragon. I did not have to unselect anything as my W7 partition on the HD was already smaller than the SSD.

The only thing I can think of after Migrate is done and you change Boot order in bios is AHCI mode will need to be enabled in Windows and bios if not already done.
I think that is all in Wolfgangs tutorial already.

Easy or Geeky they both work.
I hope some of this helped.
Mike

Mike did it the easy way. Set up your current hard drive exactly the way you want it transferred. If you have to create a data partition on another drive, go ahead and do it. that way it is simple and straight forward, it is about 20 minutes (depending on the size of your OS). It will transfer only the OS and it will be exactly the same as your current OS partition. You don't have to do anything to a new drive, just put it in and start the paragon Migrate. When it is finished all you have to do is change the boot order in BIOS.

Thanks Steve.

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The Paragon Migrate will work HD to SSD. It also works SSD to SSD.

I used the Paragon Migrate to transfer from my Intel SSD to my Samsung SSD.
So it is usable into the future as needed if you decide to get it.

It will also work from SSD to HD. I use it as a backup system. I keep an extra hard drive and at least every 2 weeks I transfer my OS to that hard drive. It never hurts to have a spare, just in case. I back up my data externally daily. If my Paragon Migrate quit working today, I'd buy a new one by tomorrow.