Can I Restore A HDD System Image To A SSD Without Issues?

[poolmon]

Can I Restore a System Image of a HDD (70 Gb of 500Gb used) => To a 256 Gb SSD?

What about any required SSD drivers and/or any SSD management software that won't be on the HDD System Image?
Anything else that may affect a successful drive swap from HDD to SSD?

 

[Pauly]

Easiest way would be to shrink the 500GB partition to below the size of the SDD>image across then you can extend it to fill the SSD if necessary

 

[poolmon]

Easiest way would be to shrink the 500GB partition to below the size of the SDD>image across then you can extend it to fill the SSD if necessary

My HDD is not partitioned currently. If I do not create a partition and then shrink it, will the Image of the 500Gb drive not fit on the SSD even though the used portion of the HDD is less than the new smaller SSD?

Also, what about any SSD drivers/Management Software that is not in the HDD Image.?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Easiest way would be to shrink the 500GB partition to below the size of the SDD>image across then you can extend it to fill the SSD if necessary

My HDD is not partitioned currently. If I do not create a partition and then shrink it, will the Image of the 500Gb drive not fit on the SSD even though the used portion of the HDD is less than the new smaller SSD?

Also, what about any SSD drivers/Management Software that is not in the HDD Image.?

As far as I know, you will be OK if the used space on the old drive is equal to or smaller than the available space on the new drive. You are using 70 and have a 256 gb SSD, so I'd think all is OK.

I don't think you have to pre-format the new drive. In fact, I wouldn't. I'd just screw it into place, connect it, and attempt to restore the image.

You'd need to transfer C and any other partition that may have boot files, such as System Reserved.

I can't recall anyone having driver issues when doing an ordinary transfer to an SSD via imaging.

SSD management software is typically installed after the transfer as a separate process--if your drive manufacturer in fact provides any such software.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...I don't think you have to pre-format the new drive. In fact, I wouldn't. I'd just screw it into place, connect it, and attempt to restore the image...

I can't speak for other imaging programs but, with Macrium Reflect, you do have to preformat it so it can "see" the partitions to send the image partitions to. It is simpler to just clone the original drive to the SSD with Macrium Reflect. Besides being one step with no need for an intermediary drive or partition, all the SSD needs is a simple format; the cloning process will make the necessary partitions. I do suggest shrinking the original partition before cloning. This can easily be done with Mini Tool Partition Wizard. Both Macrium Reflect and Mini Tool Partition Wizard have free versions that are adequate for the job.

 

[poolmon]

...I don't think you have to pre-format the new drive. In fact, I wouldn't. I'd just screw it into place, connect it, and attempt to restore the image...

I can't speak for other imaging programs but, with Macrium Reflect, you do have to preformat it so it can "see" the partitions to send the image partitions to. It is simpler to just clone the original drive to the SSD with Macrium Reflect. Besides being one step with no need for an intermediary drive or partition, all the SSD needs is a simple format; the cloning process will make the necessary partitions. I do suggest shrinking the original partition before cloning. This can easily be done with Mini Tool Partition Wizard. Both Macrium Reflect and Mini Tool Partition Wizard have free versions that are adequate for the job.

If the partition on the HDD were not shrunk first, what would be the effect on the new 256Gb SSD to which the HDD (70Gb of 500Gb used) were cloned?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I can't speak for other imaging programs but, with Macrium Reflect, you do have to preformat it so it can "see" the partitions to send the image partitions to. It is simpler to just clone the original drive to the SSD with Macrium Reflect. Besides being one step with no need for an intermediary drive or partition, all the SSD needs is a simple format; the cloning process will make the necessary partitions. I do suggest shrinking the original partition before cloning. This can easily be done with Mini Tool Partition Wizard. Both Macrium Reflect and Mini Tool Partition Wizard have free versions that are adequate for the job.

If the partition on the HDD were not shrunk first, what would be the effect on the new 256Gb SSD to which the HDD (70Gb of 500Gb used) were cloned?

It would depend on the program you were using to make the clone. Some write only the sectors with data on them to the clone and would not require shrinking; others do sector by sector cloning only and would not be able to handle cloning to a smaller drive. I still feel it's safer to shrink the partition first; it's not that difficult.

 

[poolmon]

If the partition on the HDD were not shrunk first, what would be the effect on the new 256Gb SSD to which the HDD (70Gb of 500Gb used) were cloned?

It would depend on the program you were using to make the clone. Some write only the sectors with data on them to the clone and would not require shrinking; others do sector by sector cloning only and would not be able to handle cloning to a smaller drive. I still feel it's safer to shrink the partition first; it's not that difficult.

I would be using Win 7 native "System Image & Repair Disc" tools.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Post screenshot of disk management please. We want to know what partition is ACTIVE and what kind of partitions you have.

My HDD is not partitioned currently

Impossible! All harddrives are partitioned.

 

[DavidE]

I recently transferred my Test Box from a HD to SSD and whs explained how to use Macrium free to restore an image to a smaller partition.
You have to drag the image to the target, read more here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...m-restore-backup-image-smaller-partition.html

Here is a tutorial by whs:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

I used the Win 7 built in System Imaging program years ago and it didn't work well for me.
Programs such as Macrium, Acronis, AOEMI, etc. have more user options and control ...

 

[Kaktussoft]

Cloning is a faster solution!
After cloning....

1. detach old hard drive from system.
2. Boot from SSD. If not working do a "startup repair" 3 times. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html . Now it should boot succesfully.
3. shutdown, power off. Eventually reattach the old hard drive.

 

[whs]

Maybe you care to read my little tutorial before you venture into the transfer. There are some preparations to be done on the SSD before you restore the image to it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

 

[poolmon]

Thanks all for the info.

 

[mjf]

Your SSD should already be formatted NTFS otherwise format it. Then with Macrium Reflect you simply select the option "create an image of partitions required to backup & restore windows" over on the left of the Macrium screen. Then run the Macrium restore from a CD/DVD pe with only the SSD connected plus your image on an external. You should have one or two partitions shown for the image. Just drag and drop each onto the SSD space and that should be it. Check alignment but it should be fine.

 

[whs]

Your SSD should already be formatted NTFS otherwise format it.

It must have a preformatted primary active NTFS partition.