Will this work..
Do a complete backup, but restore to a different disk AND be able to boot from that disk? I want to move my OS drive from a hard drive to a ssd drive without buying software to do this.
If you have a system image made with Macrium, or other imaging software for example, it should work.
I use Macrium & Clonezilla for backup and cloning.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom/DIY
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel C2D E8400@4Ghz OC
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q-E, bios 2101
Memory
4x2GB Kingston HyperX 8500@1066Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTS450 OC
Sound Card
Onboard SoundMax
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung Syncmaster 17"
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
WD6402AAEX-640GB(system), WD10EALX-1TB(storage), other external disks & docking stations
I've heard of clonezilla but never used it. Will it also copy the MBR? From what I researched, I can go to a smaller hard drive provided the original drive is disconnected. I'll try clonezilla and see what happens. Thanks.
I have restored to 2 new HDDs using Windows imaging alone. Windows imaging always copies and replaces the MBR plus the system reserved (~100MB) partition, if you have one.
You can do the same with Macrium but you must explicitly restore a separate image of the system reserved partition if you have one. You must also explicitly accept the option to replace the MBR to the new HDD. Macrium will have made a copy from the original disk.
Most free imaging require reimaging to a partition at least as large as the partition you imaged. The simplest solution is to preshrink your original partition to less than the size of the SSD prior to imaging.
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Own build
OS
Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
CPU
Intel i7 2600k
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws (DDR3-1600) 2x4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GTS 450; Intel HD Graphics 3000(GT2+)
