How do I properly dual boot a cloned/copy of my Win7 partition on SSD?


  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
       #1

    How do I properly dual boot a cloned/copy of my Win7 partition on SSD?


    I have recently installed a new SSD drive and I am trying to clone my OS partition to it. I am having a separate issue of updating the firmware of the SSD (Plextor M3 128) but Windows 7 recognizes the drive is set up correctly (AHCI, Trim, Aligned). I then used Partition Wizard to copy my OS partition to the SSD and it was successful with some unallocated space left over. I set the SSD partition to active but I don't see it is recognized as a System and Boot by either Partition Wizard or Storage Disk Management. I used EasyBCD 2.2 to add the entries for both HD Win7 and SSD Win7 and confirmed both identifier codes are unique.

    The problem occurs when I boot to the SSD and see the following error and loops back to the dual boot screen.

    "pwnative program not found skipping autocheck... autocheck program not found"

    I am not sure where to fix this as there is no System Recovery option after F8 from the dual boot screen. Safe Mode also doesn't boot. Did I skip a step somewhere or is there something not clean about the copy from Partition Wizard? I used the latest version 8.1.1 Home Edition.

    Thanks in advance!
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    I would not use our favorite tool here Partition Wizard to clone an OS partition. It really isn't meant for that.

    Instead use free Macrium - Image your system. I would save an image so you have it on hand in case you want to reimage after you've wiped the source drive.

    You'll be imaging or cloning it to unallocated space so I'd wipe or delete the target first. Remember to include Track0, MBR and see that the System partition is Partition Marked Active. If it fails to start confirm again the Active partition to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times making sure all other drives are unplugged.

    Other good good options are here for SSD - Install and transfer the Operating System
    where the author will help you if needed.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Greg, thank you for these suggestions. I am now using Macrium Free edition, and since it does not seem to have a 'clone' option, I am following the steps to create an image of my Win7 partition and restoring the image to the SSD (unallocated space). The only option for the restore is to set 'Restore MBR' and 'Verify' which I have left set to the default Y and N respectively. I am not sure what you mean by Track0 as I do not see an option to include it. The restore is happening now while I am still in Windows and typing this as it goes.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I think I am all set. The SSD worked beautifully without having to do any Repair and I am able to dual boot into it.

    Now if I can only figure out why I can't update my firmware.

    Thanks for pointing me to the right direction Greg.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Your new SSD includes a year's tech support as with all hardware. I'd have them walk you through the firmware update so if anything happens they'll be ready to RMA the drive which is also warrantied for replacement for the same period.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Unfortunately it is not that new, its limited warranty expired long ago. I just haven't had time to deal with it until now.

    Thanks again. I will work on the firmware issue with the Plextor folks.
      My Computer


 

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