Cloning Question

[leehop71]

I had Windows installed on a Kingston 120G SSD.

Updates have been done, but no programs installed.

IF I were to clone another C drive, that's completely updated with all the software I need, to the SSD, will it overwrite the Windows already installed, or just clone it to the existing space?

Thanks.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I had Windows installed on a Kingston 120G SSD.

Updates have been done, but no programs installed.

IF I were to clone another C drive, that's completely updated with all the software I need, to the SSD, will it overwrite the Windows already installed, or just clone it to the existing space?

It will overwrite--if you mean clone from "another C drive" to the Kingston 120. Assuming the other drive isn't larger than the Kingston.

But it may not work, depending on where that "another C drive" came from. If that installation was done on different hardware, I'd expect problems.

You might also consider imaging rather than cloning. They are different and sometimes one works when the other won't.

 

[leehop71]

I had Windows installed on a Kingston 120G SSD.

Updates have been done, but no programs installed.

IF I were to clone another C drive, that's completely updated with all the software I need, to the SSD, will it overwrite the Windows already installed, or just clone it to the existing space?

It will overwrite--if you mean clone from "another C drive" to the Kingston 120. Assuming the other drive isn't larger than the Kingston.

But it may not work, depending on where that "another C drive" came from. If that installation was done on different hardware, I'd expect problems.

You might also consider imaging rather than cloning. They are different and sometimes one works when the other won't.

Let me be more detailed so you can understand exactly what I'm trying to accomplish.

I have 2 PCs. A personal one (HP), that my wife uses most of the time, and a work PC (Dell) that I have and use for my small business. Both computers have the same Windows 7 Pro and same programs, except my wife has some added documents on the HP.

My Dell HD bit the dust, so I had a friend of mine put together a new Dell (refurbished with 8G RAM and an Intel I-5) one for me.

I gave him a Kingston SSD to put in the one he built, but didn't think to clone it from the HP first.

He has already installed Windows 7 Pro on it.

I'm trying to figure out, how I can clone the Kingston SSD on the HP, to the Kingston SSD on the Dell.

I now know it will overwrite the Kingston on the Dell, but I'm trying to figure out how to do it, with an external HD in the middle??

Clone or image to the external, from the HP, and somehow use the external to clone to the Dell??

Will that even work?

I'm trying to figure out a way I can bypass having to reinstall all my software, email, etc on the Dell.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm trying to figure out, how I can clone the Kingston SSD on the HP, to the Kingston SSD on the Dell.

I now know it will overwrite the Kingston on the Dell, but I'm trying to figure out how to do it, with an external HD in the middle??

Clone or image to the external, from the HP, and somehow use the external to clone to the Dell??

Will that even work?

I'm trying to figure out a way I can bypass having to reinstall all my software, email, etc on the Dell.

You are effectively trying to put an HP installation into a Dell.

Over-riding all of this is the fact that the HP Windows license will NOT be valid on the Dell. Considering that, I'd do a clean install using a new Windows license.

I assume this "Windows 7 Pro" you refer to is a new product you bought, unrelated to HP in any way?

Not pretty, regardless of method, cloning, or imaging.

I understand you want to save time and not re-install stuff.

You could try Paragon Adaptive Restore. Paragon is a reliable software company and that program is designed to help with your type of case.

Likewise, I think certain paid versions of Macrium Reflect are supposed to be able to adapt to new hardware. Not the free version.

You'd still face the Windows licensing issue. There may or may not be a way to work around that within Paragon or Macrium, but you would still likely be required to come up with something other than the HP Windows license.

There of course is a learning curve as well as a fee for either of those products.

Assuming the cost is OK (guessing 50 to 100), you have to consider the learning curve and the possibility of failure regardless.

I'd guess it would take 5 to 10 hours for you to buy, install, learn, and properly operate Paragon Adaptive Restore or Macrium for your intended purpose.

There is some chance your attempt will fail and your time will be wasted and would have been better spent on doing a clean install onto the Dell and then reinstalling programs.

Only you can estimate the time required for a clean install and reinstallation of programs. A bare Windows install shouldn't take over an hour. Then you add probably several hours of updating. Then 5 or 50 hours of reinstalling and configuring applications.

Only you know your own skill or learning capability for new and relatively complex programs like Macrium and Paragon Adaptive Restore.

It's one thing to spend 5 hours with Paragon and succeed. It's another to spend 15 hours and ultimately fail.

It's anyone's guess what your actual results will be and there is no way to find out short of trying. Maybe you succeed rather easily. Maybe you spend too many hours and end up throwing your PC through a window.

 

[leehop71]

I'm trying to figure out, how I can clone the Kingston SSD on the HP, to the Kingston SSD on the Dell.

I now know it will overwrite the Kingston on the Dell, but I'm trying to figure out how to do it, with an external HD in the middle??

Clone or image to the external, from the HP, and somehow use the external to clone to the Dell??

Will that even work?

I'm trying to figure out a way I can bypass having to reinstall all my software, email, etc on the Dell.

You are effectively trying to put an HP installation into a Dell.

Not pretty, regardless of method, cloning, or imaging.

I understand you want to save time and not re-install stuff.

You could try Paragon Adaptive Restore. Paragon is a reliable software company and that program is designed to help with your type of case.

Likewise, I think certain paid versions of Macrium Reflect are supposed to be able to adapt to new hardware. Not the free version.

There of course is a learning curve as well as a fee for either of those products.

Assuming the cost is OK (guessing 50 to 100), you have to consider the learning curve and the possibility of failure regardless.

I'd guess it would take 5 to 10 hours for you to buy, install, learn, and properly operate Paragon Adaptive Restore or Macrium for your intended purpose.

There is some chance your attempt will fail and your time will be wasted and would have been better spent on doing a clean install onto the Dell and then reinstalling programs.

Only you can estimate the time required for a clean install and reinstallation of programs. A bare Windows install shouldn't take over an hour. Then you add probably several hours of updating. Then 5 or 50 hours of reinstalling and configuring applications.

Only you know your own skill or learning capability for new and relatively complex programs like Macrium and Paragon Adaptive Restore.

It's one thing to spend 5 hours with Paragon and succeed. It's another to spend 15 hours and ultimately fail.

It's anyone's guess what your actual results will be and there is no way to find out short of trying. Maybe you succeed rather easily. Maybe you spend too many hours and end up throwing your PC through a window.

I got a headache reading this! I will just reinstall! lol

 

[Ranger4]

As you already have Windows 7 Pro installed on the new SSD I would just reinstall any other software programs that you need, as long as you have Activation Codes for them & then copy data from your wife's computer that you need & paste that into the appropriate files on your computer.

 

[leehop71]

As you already have Windows 7 Pro installed on the new SSD I would just reinstall any other software programs that you need, as long as you have Activation Codes for them & then copy data from your wife's computer that you need & paste that into the appropriate files on your computer.

You're right. I can do that and know I'm not messing something up.

 

[Ranger4]

As you already have Windows 7 Pro installed on the new SSD I would just reinstall any other software programs that you need, as long as you have Activation Codes for them & then copy data from your wife's computer that you need & paste that into the appropriate files on your computer.

You're right. I can do that and know I'm not messing something up.

Good luck & I hope it all workout for you.