Boot drive?

[gregrocker]

I gave you a video tutorial how to set a drive Inactive with Partition Wizard in post #10.

If you have an SSD large enough to put the OS, data, paging file, and Hibernate file on it, as it appears you do, then there is no reason to have them on a separate drive. As Brian suggests you can save image and file backups to another drive or external.

There is a benefit to having a separate data partition from C, which is to have a smaller image backup. This way if Win7 becomes irreparable or needs reinstall you can reimage C from its disk and the stored image to C while the data remains current and safe in its own separate partition.

You can move the actual User Folders - Change Default Location (Documents, Pictures, etc) to the data partition but it requires using another imaging app than Win7's own built-in app. I recommend free Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

I move my User folders into the OneDrive folder on a separate data partition, so that I can simultaneously Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with OneDrive which has worked perfectly for two years here.

 

[Hans L]

Is disk 0 476 GB an ssd ?

There is no need to put any data on it, unless windows demands it be there.

If disk 0 is an ssd, I would use the entire drive for windows. But if you delete the system reserved partition and add it to C you can leave Disk 0 as it is and hold onto that extra un allocated space til you need it.

Yes, AddRam, my 512 GB (in reality, 476 GB; where the heck di the other 36 GB go?) is an SSD. I would gain some speed if I move all data to the SSD. I would keep the HDD as a spare.

Regards,

Hans L

 

[Hans L]

I gave you a video tutorial how to set a drive Inactive with Partition Wizard in post #10.

Yes, you did. However, I wasnot sure whether I could use the free MW version for that. I also have Easeus installed, so I updated it and checked it out, but it cannot Inactivate. So, I will install the Free PW and inactivate.

If you have an SSD large enough to put the OS, data, paging file, and Hibernate file on it, as it appears you do, then there is no reason to have them on a separate drive. As Brian suggests you can save image and file backups to another drive or external.

Great.

There is a benefit to having a separate data partition from C, which is to have a smaller image backup. This way if Win7 becomes irreparable or needs reinstall you can reimage C from its disk and the stored image to C while the data remains current and safe in its own separate partition.

I did just that. I used a rescue disk and was able to move my C: image to the new SSD.

You can move the actual User Folders - Change Default Location (Documents, Pictures, etc) to the data partition but it requires using another imaging app than Win7's own built-in app. I recommend free Macrium Imaging - Windows 7 Help Forums.

I have used Macrium Reflect for years now (after having had nothing but trouble with True Image, sorry to say), and I image every night, saving 5 images on an external drive, and, to avoid disaster in case of fire or burglary, I keep a copy that I replace once a month in a neighbor's house.

An initial backing up top the Cloud would take a week or more, and incremental backups (or rather, recovering form incremental backups) would, as far as I can gather from reading about it, be a real ordeal.

As I write this, I do realize that data drives do not need to be imaged (just backed up), but since my images are being done while I sleep, I do one image of all my disks (~200 GB). And, as I said, I had absolutely no problems recovering only my C: drive a couple of days ago. And I have recovered individual files and folders in the past. Macrium Reflect is one heck of a good app,

I move my User folders into the OneDrive folder on a separate data partition, so that I can simultaneously Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with OneDrive which has worked perfectly for two years here.

I presently have only an iPhone, which I use only if I remember to take it with me when I leave the house So, syncing is not a priority for me.

I do not know the workings of the more sophisticated aspects of Windows, so let me ask: Are all settings in User? That is, no settings in the Windows folder? So, is that the reason you are backing up only User, because, in a case of a crash, you simply reinstall Windows and recover User?

Regards,

Hans L

 

[gregrocker]

Again the blue link is a tutorial which shows the answers to your question. I only move the User folders which are actively used. The hidden Appdata folders do not need to be backed up because they are in the image and not a priority for file backup, in a reinstall they should not be reimported since they are a corruption path into a fresh install.

 

[Hans L]

Again the blue link is a tutorial which shows the answers to your question. I only move the User folders which are actively used. The hidden Appdata folders do not need to be backed up because they are in the image and not a priority for file backup, in a reinstall they should not be reimported since they are a corruption path into a fresh install.

Got you, Greg. Thank you for all you great advice and help!

Hans L

 

[Hans L]

HELP!!!

I wanted to put all my data on the SSD (I have space, as I mentioned before). I installed and used PW (free), and reduced the C: partition, still so that is was 30 GB larger than the used space. PW did its thing, but after the last restart, the PC got stuck already at the ASUS (mobo) "Welcome" page (the first thing I see when startimng up the computer). I clicked to get into BIOS POST MESSAGE, and it gave basically this info:

Entering Setup
PC2-4300 Dual Channel Asymmertric Initialization USB Controller .. Done
USB device(s): 1 Mouse, 1 Hub
Autodetecting AHCI Port 1 .. [stuck here]

I have not yet investigated what this might mean, and while I will, I am still asking here, what does it mean?

By disconnecting the SSD and starting with the rescue disk, I am back to where I was the day before yesterday, namely to recover an image of my previous C: drive. Not terrible, but I want to avoid getting into this situation again. HELP!

Hans L

PS. Using my wife's computer. She just left town, thank g-d.

 

[AddRAM]

There was no need to reduce C, you already had un allocated space on the ssd, you could have made a partition and put the data on that. We told you not to store data on C. Why don`t you listen ?

You have a 476 GB ssd, (according to windows) not a 512 GB, there is nothing missing.

It only says 512 on the packaging.

You can research this yourself

 

[Hans L]

There was no need to reduce C, you already had un allocated space on the ssd, you could have made a partition and put the data on that. We told you not to store data on C. Why don`t you listen ?

You have a 476 GB ssd, (according to windows) not a 512 GB, there is nothing missing.

It only says 512 on the packaging.

You can research this yourself

AddRAM, Greg said I could put my data on the SSD (I never intended to put it in the C: partition; I just reduced it to get some more space). I do not see why one could not.

And I am sure you do not mean that PW punished me for trying to reduce the space. It practically invited me by having reduction as an option in its menu. The C: partition used 97 GB, had about 60 GB free space, totalling 157, so I reduced the total to about 130. More than enough for Windows to expand, if needed. What is wrong with that? I don't think PW minded. I believe it might have had something to do with AHCI and the fact that I did not install Windows, but recovered an image of it. If you know something about that, kindly let me know. I actually do listen, but I don't always do as I have been "told" (just ask my wife).

Regards/Hans L

 

[AddRAM]

LOL Ok fine, I seriously doubt PW messed anything up, it works perfectly 99.9% of the time.

You didn`t switch from IDE to AHCI or vice versa after the re image did you ? You shouldn`t attempt that.

Are you installing PW on windows or did you create and use the Boot CD ? Which is much better and safer.

Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

 

[Hans L]

LOL Ok fine, I seriously doubt PW messed anything up, it works perfectly 99.9% of the time.

You didn`t switch from IDE to AHCI or vice versa after the re image did you ? You shouldn`t attempt that.

Are you installing PW on windows or did you create and use the Boot CD ? Which is much better and safer.

Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

I will respond tomorrow. Right now, I am too verkhadet (upset) to even think about this. But I want to say that I am very grateful for your response and help.

Regards.

Hans L (in Cleveland, Ohio)

 

[gregrocker]

Shrink C as desired using Disk Mgmt which is most reliable. Then create your data partition in Disk Mgmt.

then post back a shot of Disk Mgmt.

 

[Hans L]

Shrink C as desired using Disk Mgmt which is most reliable. Then create your data partition in Disk Mgmt.

then post back a shot of Disk Mgmt.

Greg, I would be more than happy to do that, but after using PW to (unsuccessfully) shrink the C: drive (partition), I cannot get the new SSD to work and start up my computer. I have done everything I did before, and then some, and when Windows starts up, and the four color dots kinda' wobble together, a Blue Screen appears for 1/10th of a second (so I cannot read it), and startup fails.

I have tried everything for at least 3-4 hours now, and nothing works. I am about to reinstall Windows from my disk, but will you believe this, as I tried at an early stage (about two days ago), the Product Key did not work. The error message said it was the wrong code. I called MS today, and they said: "Do the install again, and call us when it gives you the error message." Such a relief ... NOT!

I could cry, but instead, I drink wine. And try to keep calm, but I am thinking: "Did PW give me a $200.00 piece of shit ... I mean sheet ... metal." Well, the SSD is recognized, but I cannot get it to start up Windows, in spite of copying two different images to it.

I am exhausted, but not beat. I will continue!!!

Hans L

 

[AddRAM]

Have you tried to install windows from the dvd yet or just from images ?

 

[gregrocker]

These are only minor setbacks that probably could have been avoided if the steps had been followed more closely. Partition Wizard never fails when using the boot disk. Disk Management never fails period, and for operations it can do (like shrinking from the right) then it should be used. Had you asked we would have told you this.

Since something probably interrupted PW when it was rebooting to resize if using the Windows version, then the install is probably scrambled and not reparable if you've already tried Startup Repair and System Restore from System Recovery Options

So boot the disk and follow all steps in Clean Reinstall Windows 7, deleting all partitions to create the new OS partition and the data partition as it suggests in the steps to do once you know what partition scheme you want. Just be sure to highlight the first large partition before you click Next to install.

Rejecting due to an invalid Product Key is always a bad character being inputted. Examine the COA sticker under a magnifier to be sure that the characters are correct.

 

[Hans L]

Have you tried to install windows from the dvd yet or just from images ?

Yes, and it did not accept my product code. Called MS yesterday, but they did not want to give me a code then. They said: INstall Windows, and when you come to the problem point, call us again :-(

In a short while, I plan to try again.

Regards,

Hans L

 

[Hans L]

These are only minor setbacks that probably could have been avoided if the steps had been followed more closely. Partition Wizard never fails when using the boot disk. Disk Management never fails period, and for operations it can do (like shrinking from the right) then it should be used. Had you asked we would have told you this.

Since something probably interrupted PW when it was rebooting to resize if using the Windows version, then the install is probably scrambled and not reparable if you've already tried Startup Repair and System Restore from System Recovery Options

So boot the disk and follow all steps in Clean Reinstall Windows 7, deleting all partitions to create the new OS partition and the data partition as it suggests in the steps to do once you know what partition scheme you want. Just be sure to highlight the first large partition before you click Next to install.

Rejecting due to an invalid Product Key is always a bad character being inputted. Examine the COA sticker under a magnifier to be sure that the characters are correct.

Thank you, Greg. I will reinstall. As I said to AddRAM a minute ago: "Yes [I tried to do a reinstall from my Windows dvd], and in the end, it did not accept my product code. Called MS yesterday, but they did not want to give me a code then. They said: Install Windows, and when you come to the problem point, call us again

I can add that I checked, several times, the product code I put in, and then, I gave it to the MS rep on the phone, and he confirmed that it was a valid product code! So, I will now try again, following the procedure you hyperlinked, and we will see what happens.

Incidentally, your analysis of what happened sounds very plausible. Something went really wrong at some point. I tried Startup Repair several times, but it could not do anything about the problem.

So, here we go

Hans L

 

[Hans L]

I can add that I checked, several times, the product code I put in, and then, I gave it to the MS rep on the phone, and he confirmed that it was a valid product code! So, I will now try again, following the procedure you hyperlinked, and we will see what happens.
Hans L

Product code worked this time. Will go to friends for dinner. Will, when I get back, chat with Norton to stop telling me that my subscription has expired (it has not; they did it once before, and it had not expired then either).

And then, the delightful installation of all my apps

Regards,

Hans L

PS. can't see any Logout button here. Is there one?

 

[gregrocker]

I would not run Norton and expect endless problems if I did. The AV's which work the best are also in Clean Reinstall Windows 7

 

[Hans L]

I have gotten it to work. Following advice here and in referenced webpages, I now have all my drives on the SSD. Long process when you count the reinstall of all apps. Tiring, indeed. By the way, used only Windows Disk Manager.

One final question: in one refrenced page you say, Greg, "Never defrag an SSD". May I ask why?

Regards,

Hans L

 

[AddRAM]

A ssd does not get fragmented like a hard drive, it has a finite amount of read and writes, defragmenting it will wear out the memory sooner and end it`s life sooner.