Cloning HDD to SSD and unable to boot, disk read error after install

[Money2bills]

No luck so far, still will not boot into SSD. I am going to try to find and use a Windows 7 repair disk and hope it does something. Any other advice I should try?

 

[Money2bills]

Megahertz07 - You mentioned you have a link for the Windows 7 installation media in a prior message. Can you send me the link? I tried restarting using the Recovery USB I made for my HP laptop but it did not work. I want to try installing the Windows 7 installation software and try the repair function.

 

[Megahertz07]

Links valid for 24 hours from time of creation.
Links expire: 1/23/2021 2:35:46 PM UTC

Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_x64.iso

Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_x32.iso

Apply eicfg removal utility to make it universal (all versions)

 

[Money2bills]

Thank You Megahertz07!

 

[Megahertz07]

If you're going to do a clean install, use Single file with all updates - Simplix

 

[Megahertz07]

Before you do a Clean install, try this.
Install MiniTool Partition Wizard Free
On the SSD, with MiniTool, set the system partition as Non active and then set the second partition (H as active.
Replace the drive and try to boot

 

[Money2bills]

Just an update for everyone, I tried to use the Windows repair and installation USB. It did not work for some reason. Keeps saying "unexpected I/O error" shown below.



I have ordered a replacement SSD to see if I just have a junk SSD. I will report back once it arrives.

Megahertz07 - I tried the MiniTool Partition Wizard to set "System" as inactive and the second partition to active and rebooting. It did not make any change.

 

[Money2bills]

Update: New SSD arrived and I used Macrium Reflect to clone the disk and then installed the SSD. Same result as the last drive. I tried all the tricks suggested prior and also tried to do a clean install of Windows 7 which didn't work. Since that failed to work after install from the USB I tried to install Windows 10 which also failed to work. Everything I did results in the same screen "disk read error" displayed below.



There has to be something preventing the removal of the HDD from the laptop disabling it to work. I am unsure what it could be. I have updated the BIOS and tried nearly everything I can think of to make this work.

Does anyone know what would prevent me from installing a new hard drive (SSD) and not allow it to work? Cant install a clone or a clean install of Windows 7 or 10.

 

[Money2bills]

Update: I tried something that sounded crazy to me, but it is working. I installed the SSD into the CD/DVD caddy and Windows booted up from the SSD. The HDD is not currently installed. I do not understand why the laptop will not boot with the SSD and the standard SATA plug but will work in the caddy. The SATA plug does work with the old HDD just fine but will not work when the SSD is used.

Can anyone please explain to me what may be happening? The SSD is not being used to it's full potential (speed) in the CD/DVD caddy I believe. I am also not sure if it is okay to use it this way.

Any advice or something I am missing? Thank you again for any help you can offer.

 

[SIW2]

How is it attached in the dvd caddy - are you using a sata data cable?

just checked the manual - according to this, the dvd is sata connected

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03119786

 

[Money2bills]

The SSD is connected by a sata connector and then connected to a smaller connector which connects to the laptop optical drive port. Below are images of the caddy and a link for the caddy.





"Aluminum Alloy hard drive caddy Support 2.5 Inch , 9.5MM Laptop Optical Bay - SSD Accessories - www.zheinossd.com" Aluminum Alloy hard drive caddy Support 2.5 Inch , 9.5MM Laptop Optical Bay - SSD Accessories - www.zheinossd.com

I do not understand why it works fine in the caddy. After it booted and restarted several times with no problems I removed the SSD from the caddy and installed it into the normal hard drive location and it failed again. Displaying the same "disk read error" screen.

I know the normal hard drive location and connector work since when the HDD is used it boots windows with no problems. As soon as the SSD is used it will no longer work.

Thank you for the continued help.

 

[SIW2]

According to the manual:






Is that the setup on your machine?

 

[Money2bills]

No, I have a standard 2.5" SSD installed.