Cloning C: to mSATA - "Set active"?

[clemenzina]

I'm using EaseUS to clone my current C: drive onto an mSATA (currently A: ) which is already fitted and recognised in the BIOS.

During the cloning setup there is a box above the target mSATA "Set active" - I would think that this is so that the system can boot from it, which is what I want.

However, EaseUS's Help has confused me, it gives me the impression that I only tick "Set active" if I want the laptop to boot from "the cloned partition on another hard disk"

I think this is the last little query that's stopping me getting this done, I'd be so grateful for instructions.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

However, EaseUS's Help has confused me, it gives me the impression that I only tick "Set active" if I want the laptop to boot from "the cloned partition on another hard disk"

What exactly confuses you about "the cloned partition on another hard disk"? Can you clarify that?

I agree that the EaseUS instructions aren't well written and the intent is not crystal clear.

The active partition typically contains the loader for an operating system, but I often see situations where partitions are marked "active" unnecessarily.

 

[clemenzina]

What exactly confuses you about "the cloned partition on another hard disk"? Can you clarify that?

I take it to mean that I do NOT tick the "Set active" box because I want to boot from the A: drive I'm cloning to, not from "the cloned partition on another hard disk".

Is that right?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

My guess is that the instructions are rather generic and intended to fit all cases.

Therefore my take would be that you should tick it to set active.

I'd think you could later correct it if wrong---or even re-clone if necessary and make the other choice.

Have you rejected using an image rather than a clone?

 

[clemenzina]

Have you rejected using an image rather than a clone?

I haven't even thought of it, Ignatz - if it involves ISOs 'n stuff I would be lost. I don't have an optical drive, if that makes any difference.

As you have said that the operation could be redone (note how I'm putting the blame on you ) I'll go ahead and tick the box. I've done a restore point, what have I got to lose besides the use of my new/secondhand rather expensive laptop?

EDIT - or maybe I'll wait a little while, in case someone comes along who has experience of this. I'm OK with the 1TB 5400rpm, it's just a little slow.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

EDIT - or maybe I'll wait a little while, in case someone comes along who has experience of this. I'm OK with the 1TB 5400rpm, it's just a little slow.

OK, nothing wrong with that. I'll admit to not having any experience with mSATA, but I don't know why that would be different than an ordinary SSD.

Yeah, imaging means burning disks or bootable flash drives, so a clone is worth a shot.

I assume that mSATA gizmo did not include any type of cloning software?

Additionally--you might take a look at Macrium to make a clone. It's very well thought of and is noted for clarity and a straight-forward interface. Unless you are wedded to EaseUS for some reason.

 

[Britton30]

The "cloned partition on another disk" will be the mSATA you cloned too, so yes it does need to be active. This shouldn't affect the original drive.
Be sure the system is capable of booting from the mSATA slot, not all can and are used for drive caching only.

 

[clemenzina]

I assume that mSATA gizmo did not include any type of cloning software?

Additionally--you might take a look at Macrium to make a clone. It's very well thought of and is noted for clarity and a straight-forward interface. Unless you are wedded to EaseUS for some reason.

No cloning software with the mSATA - it's a Crucial M550, it did come with a couple of screws though. I've cloned an SSD before but with Acronis, which I don't have any more and it's not free. I remember that being very straightforward but do not remember any detail.

I have Macrium and have got thus far with it (see attached). I haven't yet seen anything about catering for SSD - maybe it's not necessary? Also, they use the term "copy" rather than "clone" - is that a different procedure prior to cloning, or is it the cloning itself?

I appreciate your attention, Ignatz.

 

[Britton30]

If you put a Macrium image on the mSATA (called Restore) it will make the needed modifications to it, alignment, setting active, formatting, etc.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I've done lots of imaging with Macrium, but no cloning.

OK, just saw your new picture.

You're already into the "cloning" choice, so I'd figure that you just highlight the partitions you want to clone (copy) and choose next. "Copy selected partitions".

You need to include the system reserved partition as well as C.

 

[clemenzina]

The "cloned partition on another disk" will be the mSATA you cloned too, so yes it does need to be active. This shouldn't affect the original drive.
Be sure the system is capable of booting from the mSATA slot, not all can and are used for drive caching only.

Didn't see you there, Britton. I am sure that the system will boot from mSATA, I just have to go into BIOS after cloning is complete and set it there.

Yippee! Thank you. I will report back.

 

[clemenzina]

Hmm. I think the drive has cloned OK but I'm having trouble getting the system to boot from it.

In the BIOS the mSATA is listed under Main (as it was before, after I'd initialised and formatted it).

It is not listed under Boot, so...

Under SATA Support I changed "Last boot HDD only" to "All SATA devices"... (just in case, thinking I can always change it back), then saved and rebooted, nothing different.

Under Exit, Boot Override is set to the 'old' 1TB 5400rpm, and I'm sure that's what I'm booting from because it's so slow. I can't see how to change Boot Override, there is no other option.

The BIOS is Prema Mod 1.3.03 (number from my memory).

In all the reading I've done I seem to remember something about BCD, which I haven't used - should I have?

Thanks again, all.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Hmmm....I know nothing about mSATA, but am wondering what a screenshot of Windows Disk Management looks like?

Windows on an A drive. I dunno. Maybe that's kosher with an mSATA setup, maybe not?

Can you still boot from the old C drive?

 

[clemenzina]

Yes I can still boot from the old C, I'm using it now - that's why I took the plunge

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Does that mSATA drive show at all in Windows Disk Management?

I'm just wondering if that mSATA drive has to be C to be bootable.

 

[clemenzina]

You need to include the system reserved partition as well as C.

Only just seen this.

I was told by the person who sold me the laptop that I did not need to copy the system reserved partition - I had been waiting for an answer to that very question for days before I went ahead

Yes, the mSATA shows in Windows Disk Management - that's where I initialised it and allocated a random drive letter, assuming it could be changed if need be. Well, I would want to change it to C and once it was up and running I intended to rename and repartition the old C/D.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You need to include the system reserved partition as well as C.

Only just seen this.

I was told by the person who sold me the laptop that I did not need to copy the system reserved partition - I had been waiting for an answer to that very question for days before I went ahead

Waiting for an answer from whom? Prior owner?

In a typical installation, System Reserved contains the boot files. The PC won't boot without it.

You CAN install Windows without System Reserved, but the fact is that your installation has System Reserved and in all likelihood the boot files were on it. It would have to be transferred to the new drive---otherwise that new drive has no boot files.

I'd say do it again, this time including C and System Reserved. You could futz around and transfer boot files to the mSATA in some other way, but it would be just as simple to just do it over.

Post a screen shot of Disk Management as it now sits.

 

[clemenzina]

See in Disk Management - it's not set as Boot, as I can't see how to do it in BIOS.

 

[Britton30]

Please post a screenshot of your Disk Management window like this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...nt-post-screen-capture-image.html#post2261610

w7 does need to be listed as C:\ to work properly. Do you intend to leave the HDD installed?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It's not going to boot without boot files. Full stop.

If the boot files were on System Reserved and that partition was not cloned, the mSATA has no boot files and can't be expected to boot.

Post the WDM in the manner Britton asks.

I think Easy BCD can transfer boot files, but I'm not skilled in it. So I suggested you just do it over and include System Reserved.