How do I clone from an SSD to another SSD?

[MMKH]

Because my current SSD has been giving me way too many problems mainly with BSODing randomly, and after reading that lots of people have similar reliability problems with the same model, I want to get a new SSD soon. However, I want to save time and just be able to clone exactly what I have onto the new drive.

I've heard that cloning from a HDD to SSD will cause problems. However I am talking about SSD to SSD.

The drive I plan on buying will still use a Sandforce controller, and will be the same capacity. Specifically my current one is the Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240gb and I want to get the Kingston 3K HyperX 240gb.

The Kingston SSD I plan on getting should come with software that lets me clone, which I think is the Acronis one.

What do I need to do to successfully and seamlessly transition my entire system onto the new SSD?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I can't recall reading of any particular cloning problems from SSD to SSD.

I'd also consider imaging rather than cloning. Neither is 100% reliable, so know what you will do if it fails. How much time would you be willing to devote to the trouble-shooting process if your plan doesn't go well, when you can do a clean install in a relatively short time?

I know nothing about the software included with Kingston SSDs, but there are several choices. You might consider Paragon Migrate, which is said to be highly reliable and I think is $20.

 

[gregrocker]

If Kingston comes with Acronis then I'd use that. Their Manual is easy to understand. Kingston also has some of the best tech support in the business .

 

[MMKH]

I can't recall reading of any particular cloning problems from SSD to SSD.

I'd also consider imaging rather than cloning. Neither is 100% reliable, so know what you will do if it fails. How much time would you be willing to devote to the trouble-shooting process if your plan doesn't go well, when you can do a clean install in a relatively short time?

I know nothing about the software included with Kingston SSDs, but there are several choices. You might consider Paragon Migrate, which is said to be highly reliable and I think is $20.

I have 160 gb worth of apps and files installed right now to my C:. So although I can do a clean install, updating Windows is going to take the longest because of all the restarting and SP1 and stuff required.

Now that I have my new Kingston SSD, I think I'll try the software and clone it. I've read the instruction PDF from their website and it seems very straightforward. It doesn't seem like I need to make a Windows image at all and just have both drives plugged in while booting off the Acronis. In fact, today I just tried to do a Windows system image backup but it BSOD before completion. In the worse case if it fails, I can always use Parted Magic to secure erase and do a clean install anyway.

I do know that I need to update its firmware to the latest 503 because on the box it says it has 501 on it. If I clone successfully I'll need to switch back from AMD to MSAHCI. Can anyone recall how to do that? Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

What do you mean "I'll need to switch back from AMD to MSAHCI?"

Are you saying you installed in IDE SATA mode and will now need AHCI? You should probably do that before cloning it to SSD: AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista - Windows 7 Forums

Then use Auto clone method from HD to SSD. after cloning unplug the source HD, set SSD first HD to boot in BIOS setup, try to start it. If it won't start confirm Win7 or it's 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred if you have it) is Marked Active, run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

 

[MMKH]

Okay I've tried cloning it, however it stopped when it was nearly done because there were errors reading certain sectors of the source SSD. I guess that explains the BSODs I've been having. So then I'm now doing a clean install of Windows. However I have received a BSOD very similar to when I first did a clean install a few months back with the first SSD, when downloading updates for Windows. I had managed to update the firmware to 503 and downloaded the newest AMD AHCI drivers though. Then when I tried to restart the computer, it would say that "Windows failed to start", "please insert install disc" etc. Wow. So now I am doing yet another clean install and hopefully can install updates one more time. Also, I was already using AHCI settings in BIOS before installing Windows.

 

[gregrocker]

It shouldn't be necessary to provide drivers since the Win7 installer should have all modern SATA and AHCI drivers.

Try wiping the SSD first with Diskpart Clean Command.

If problem arise during install tell us exactly which step and provide any error messages: Clean Install Windows 7

Also study the Best Practices for handling drivers, getting and keeping a perfect Clean Reinstall which are the same for retail. How is it you are activating Enterprise which is meant for volume licensing organizational environments?