Solved Creating system image of HDD for re-image to SSD

[Roo Boy]

Hi WHS,

Here is the disk management snapshot http://i47.tinypic.com/2j49ekh.jpg
It doesnt have a normal 100MB partition. Im not sure what's in the system drive partition. Its been there since i got it. How do i find out whats in there?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hi Kaktussoft,

Have you had success personally using Macrium when they is data that cant be moved by other defrag programs?

Yes!! Macrium (as most other backup programs) backups only used blocks and put that in the image. In the image is still described the size of the partition though.



On restore you can do with paritions:

• keep original size
• minimum size (so all data fits exactly)
• maximum size (take all remaining sectors of physical disk)
• manual adjust
• You can even align the partition. Align it in case of SSD!! See screenshot on http://www.macrium.com/help/v5/Partition_Alignment.htm
• You can even make the partition primary or logical. And make it active if you wish. But in case of a real clone...leave them as the were!

I did it maybe 8 times. Works without problems.

You gonna clone the harddisk by doing backup/restore... correct?

Or are you adding the partitions to a disk that already has 1 or more parititions? Tell me if that's the case. Then you need extra steps to do

 

[Roo Boy]

Hi K,

I have made an image of the harddisk using Win7 "Create Image" utility in back up and restore. I havent used Macrium yet.
I have saved the Image to an external HDD.
I tried to use the Perfect Disk tutorial to move the immovable blocks on the partition. But it made it worse. In stead of 1 block that i couldnt move which was located in the middle of C partition, now i have lots of blocks in the bottom half of the partition and some right at the very end. So shrink volume only allows me to shrink by 256MB now!!
Its doing my head in. Everyone said this worked for them but not for me

Ok, you said that the image still described the size of the partition and I think this is what the problem will be. If i cant shrink the partition then i cant write it to the small SSD right?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hi K,

I have made an image of the harddisk using Win7 "Create Image" utility in back up and restore. I havent used Macrium yet.
I have saved the Image to an external HDD.
I tried to use the Perfect Disk tutorial to move the immovable blocks on the partition. But it made it worse. In stead of 1 block that i couldnt move which was located in the middle of C partition, now i have lots of blocks in the bottom half of the partition and some right at the very end. So shrink volume only allows me to shrink by 256MB now!!
Its doing my head in. Everyone said this worked for them but not for me

Ok, you said that the image still described the size of the partition and I think this is what the problem will be. If i cant shrink the partition then i cant write it to the small SSD right?

Use Partition Wizard bootable CD to resize the partition. But why shrink???? Not needed at all when using macrium

 

[Roo Boy]

Hi K,

i used the bootable CD and reduced the partition to 90GB

So are you saying all i need to do now is use macrium to create the images of the new 90GB partition and the existing 1.17GB partition and then reimage to new SSD?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hi K,

i used the bootable CD and reduced the partition to 90GB

So are you saying all i need to do now is use macrium to create the images of the new 90GB partition and the existing 1.17GB partition and then reimage to new SSD?

Once again... shrinking wasn't necessary at all!

1. create one image of both partitions. So backup both paritions at once. Put the image on external drive
2. Boot from macrium reflect rescue CD. Restore both partitions to new empty ssd. Be sure the partitions are algined!!

that's all youi have to do.

 

[Kaktussoft]

I already told you that in #22 !
Only thing to do afterwards if booting from SSD:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/330-system-protection-turn-off.html

disable system protection on any ghost disks (missing) listed there. Enable system protection the way you want on both partitions. If you quit the dialog and reenteer it... missging disks are not listed anymore. Sometimes (90% of cases) it doesn't hold the settings after partition move.

 

[Roo Boy]

Ok thanks,
Ill give macrium a go. I'm going out to buy the SSD tomorrow but wanted to get the HDD sorted first.
Apologies for frustration. Ive been off work with food poisoning and my head is just not with it.

p.s. i reduced the partition size as i was lead to believe that there may be a conflict based on your comment above "In the image is still described the size of the partition though".

The way i understood this was that although macrium will only copy the block of data it will still state that the drive size is 500GB. Which obviously wouldnt work if this is what you meant but i think i misunderstood you so apologies for that

 

[whs]

Hi WHS,

Here is the disk management snapshot http://i47.tinypic.com/2j49ekh.jpg
It doesnt have a normal 100MB partition. Im not sure what's in the system drive partition. Its been there since i got it. How do i find out whats in there?

Not sure what they have in that partition. It is too small for a full recovery partition and too big for a system partition. But it does contain the bootmgr. Maybe they put some tools there too. What is the make of the PC ??

Anyhow, regardless of what the partition is, I suggest you copy the bootmgr to C before you do anything. Just follow my little tutorial (to the letter please) and then you can forget about this strange partition and C will be 'self contained'.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/209885-bootmgr-move-c-easybcd.html

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hi WHS,

Here is the disk management snapshot http://i47.tinypic.com/2j49ekh.jpg
It doesnt have a normal 100MB partition. Im not sure what's in the system drive partition. Its been there since i got it. How do i find out whats in there?

Not sure what they have in that partition. It is too small for a full recovery partition and too big for a system partition. But it does contain the bootmgr. Maybe they put some tools there too. What is the make of the PC ??

Anyhow, regardless of what the partition is, I suggest you copy the bootmgr to C before you do anything. Just follow my little tutorial (to the letter please) and then you can forget about this strange partition and C will be 'self contained'.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/209885-bootmgr-move-c-easybcd.html

just assign SYSTEM_DRV a volume letter (at least temporary). Now you can see what's in it.

 

[whs]

Yeah, maybe. He may see a lot of system files called 'xyz'. It may be best he posts a picture of the opened partition. Maybe together we can figure it out - unless it is obvious.

 

[chev65]

ok thanks guys.

i will check the links out.

I just thought it would be as simple as creating an image and then copying that onto the SSD

It is that simple, these guys like to over complicate things I guess.

I've done this a bunch of times from regular HDD to my SSD and never a single problem.

Sorry guys, it had to be said, Windows 7 back up works perfectly.

 

[whs]

ok thanks guys.

i will check the links out.

I just thought it would be as simple as creating an image and then copying that onto the SSD

It is that simple, these guys like to over complicate things I guess.

I've done this a bunch of times from regular HDD to my SSD and never a single problem.

Sorry guys, it had to be said, Windows 7 back up works perfectly.

Hmm, it is not that simple I think.

1. If e.g. the bootmgr sits on another partition, many people forget to image that partition (because it is hidden and they never look into Disk Management) or copy the bootmgr to C.

2. Depending on the imaging program you use, you may get your SSD aligned or not. That's why it is always prudent to predefine an aligned primary active partition into which you can dump the image.

3. When you install an OS to a SSD via an image, there is no installer that makes the settings for you. E.g. you will have to disable defrag yourself and maybe make a few other settings to optimize the space on the SSD.

4. Windows 7 imaging works or it doesn't. In my experience it did not work many times.

 

[Wishmaster]

I was under the impression you could force those things in point #3.
While true they do not get set after the image (if it worked) running WEI should force them shouldn't it? Perhaps I am mistaken.


Although I do not use Windows own, I do use Acronis often. With a full disc image Ive had no issues.
I have also backed up the C partition only & Re-Imaged to a SSD only to get the bootmngr missing error.
But easily fixed by starting up the Win7 DVD and running a startup repair.
Perhaps Im just lucky, but I have only had alignment issues once thus far. Sorry, can not remember the circumstances why though..


However, when moving to a SSD I always suggest backing up user DATA and doing a clean install.
Its a sure way to know all settings are correct, its aligned, and a you have nice clean install to start off with.
I know many may hate that idea, but in the long run I think its best.

 

[whs]

Well, a fresh install is a good idea. But if you have tuned your system for a couple of years and installed a gezillion programs, you may dread to do it again - provided your system runs well now. Last time I did that it took me a whole week. The updates are what's holding you up.

 

[Roo Boy]

Hey guys,

I have allocated a drive letter to the System Drive.

The folders in it are as follows:
1. MFGSTAT
2. Preboot
3. Recovery
4. tvtos
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

MFGSTAT contains:
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

preboot contains:
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

Recovery is empty

tvtos contains
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[Roo Boy]

To everyone who offered assistance especially Kaktussoft and WHS. Thankyou.
Just installed SSD into laptop and all went through without a single hiccup.

Really appreciate all the help guys

 

[Kaktussoft]

To everyone who offered assistance especially Kaktussoft and WHS. Thankyou.
Just installed SSD into laptop and all went through without a single hiccup.

Really appreciate all the help guys

Indeed quite easy.

did you check #8 ?
Did you align the partitions?????

 

[Roo Boy]

Hi mate,

yes partitions are correctly aligned. i checked after install and were both spot on.

thanks again and sorry for all the questions. I'll know what I'm doing next time

 

[whs]

That sounds good. I wish you happy times with the SSD. I would not want to live without them.