Migrate to larger SSD

[websquad]

I have a 111 GB (real GB) SSD, and it is just about full. On my shelf I have a new, empty, 240 GB (marketing size) SSD I'd like to use to replace the old drive.

Is the replacement simply a matter of these steps:

1. Create a system image in my USB backup drive
2. Create a fresh system repair disk
3. Ininstall the old and install the new
4. Restore the system image

Or, do I need to investing in something like Norton Ghost to do the job?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have a 111 GB (real GB) SSD, and it is just about full. On my shelf I have a new, empty, 240 GB (marketing size) SSD I'd like to use to replace the old drive.

Is the replacement simply a matter of these steps:

1. Create a system image in my USB backup drive
2. Create a fresh system repair disk
3. Ininstall the old and install the new
4. Restore the system image

Or, do I need to investing in something like Norton Ghost to do the job?

You've got the procedure about right.

You can use a free program such as Macrium Reflect Free Edition.

If using Macrium, you'd create a "recovery" CD, rather than a "system repair" disc. You'd boot from this recovery disk to restore the image.

Alternatively, you could use Macrium to "clone" the old system from the current SSD to the new SSD, which would bypass the image creation/restoration step.

Either should work. Either may fail. Know what you will do if both fail.

 

[websquad]

... Know what you will do if both fail.

It seems to me that it would be to re-install the original disk. Am I missing something?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

... Know what you will do if both fail.

It seems to me that it would be to re-install the original disk. Am I missing something?

Nope. Your fallback position is to do a clean install onto the new SSD.

Do you have an ordinary legit Windows installation disc and a valid Product Key for that disc?

 

[websquad]

What am I missing ??

So, you are telling me that if I removed my old SSD (which, by the way, is still working), replace it with the larger SSD which, for some reason (mayby DOA), doesn't work, I can't just plug in the old drive, reboot, and have the same system as I had at the start of this?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So, you are telling me that if I removed my old SSD (which, by the way, is still working), replace it with the larger SSD which, for some reason (mayby DOA), doesn't work, I can't just plug in the old drive, reboot, and have the same system as I had at the start of this?

No, I'm not telling you that. I misunderstood your post. I assumed incorrectly that you meant "install Windows from my original Windows installation disc to the new SSD".

I'm telling you that if, I say IF, you want to put Windows on the new SSD, you have 3 choices:

1: Clone from old SSD to new SSD.

2: Make an image of the old. Save the image file on some other partition or drive (not the new SSD). Restore that image file from that other drive to the new SSD.

3: If both of those fail, you can clean install to the new SSD.

If you DON'T want to put Windows on the new SSD, then of course you can carry on with the old drive.

 

[websquad]

OK, I think we are on the same page:

1. First I'l do an Image copy of my Win 7 system SSD to my USB-connected backup disk
2. Next I'll physically remove the old SSD and physically install the new SSD
3. Then I'll boot up and restore from my backup disk to the new SSD
4. Finally, I should be able to reboot Win 7 from the new SSD.

Am I on target?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

see comments in bold

OK, I think we are on the same page:

1. First I'l do an Image copy of my Win 7 system SSD to my USB-connected backup disk
   
   You'd select an application for the job. Most common recommendation here would be Macrium Reflect Free Edition. You'd make an image file of C and probably some additional partition as well.
   
   Imaging is on a partition basis, so we'd have to see a pic of your Windows Disk Management to know what partitions need to be imaged. It would be C and System Reserved if you have a System Reserved. The point is that in most installations, imaging C alone isn't enough.
   
2. Next I'll physically remove the old SSD and physically install the new SSD
   
   
   Yes.
   
3. Then I'll boot up and restore from my backup disk to the new SSD
   
   You would boot from the "rescue media" that you created in Macrium. There are 2 ways to create rescue media in Macrium. The preferred method is to create a "WinPE" disc, rather than a Linux disc. Booting from the WinPE disc will land you in the Macrium interface. You'd locate the image file you previously made with Macrium and tell Macrium to restore that image file to the new SSD.
   
4. Finally, I should be able to reboot Win 7 from the new SSD.
   
   Yes. "Should" being the key word. Not infallible. Probably 95 plus percent reliable.
   
   If it fails, try a clone.
   
   If image and clone both fail, do a clean install to the new SSD or stay with the old SSD.
   

 

[profdlp]

^^You got it. As a precaution (along the lines of what ignatzatsonic mentioned), I would leave the old SSD alone for a while as a precaution. Doing it the way he advised gives you plenty of options for a do-over if something goes wrong.

EDIT: Whoops, I was too slow...