Migrate Win7 system to a larger SSD

[squirrel123]

I've got a Lenovo laptop running Win7. The laptop came with a 128GB SSD which is great, but I'm running out of space for software. I've bought a 250GB SSD and I want to upgrade.

I run my small business off this machine, and all software is set up 'just right,' so starting from scratch and reinstalling programs is the last resort. A system breakdown/data loss would be even worse

I have lots of spare HDDs and SATA docks and USB sticks that I can use to copy data. I just don't know how to deal with Master Boot Records or whatever

Here's my idea, will this work?

1) Boot the 128GB system
2) Plug in the 250GB SSD into a SATA/USB dock
3) Use Minitool Partition Wizard to copy the Win7 partitions (including the 100MB 'system' partition) to the 250GB SSD
4) physically remove the 128GB ssd and replace with the 250GB ssd
5) boot up from teh 250GB ssd
6) Use Minitool Partition Wizard to expand the 128GB partition to fill the entire 250GB SDD


All replies appreciated

 

[fireberd]

Easiest way (and how I did it when I converted to SSD) is to use Macrium Reflect and make a disc Image (NOT Clone) of the entire disc, all partitions. Restore that image to the new SSD.

Macrium Software

 

[squirrel123]

Easiest way (and how I did it when I converted to SSD) is to use Macrium Reflect and make a disc Image (NOT Clone) of the entire disc, all partitions. Restore that image to the new SSD.

Macrium Software

Ok
something like this?

1) Boot the 128GB system
2) Plug in the 250GB SSD into a SATA/USB dock
3) Use Macrium Reflect to make a disk image of the 128GB ssd with all partitions
4) Restore image to the 250GB ssd
5) physically remove the 128GB ssd and replace with the 250GB ssd
6) boot up from the 250GB ssd
7) Use Minitool Partition Wizard to expand the 128GB partition to fill the entire 250GB SDD

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Easiest way (and how I did it when I converted to SSD) is to use Macrium Reflect and make a disc Image (NOT Clone) of the entire disc, all partitions. Restore that image to the new SSD.

Macrium Software

Ok
something like this?

1) Boot the 128GB system
2) Plug in the 250GB SSD into a SATA/USB dock
3) Use Macrium Reflect to make a disk image of the 128GB ssd with all partitions
4) Restore image to the 250GB ssd
5) physically remove the 128GB ssd and replace with the 250GB ssd
6) boot up from the 250GB ssd
7) Use Minitool Partition Wizard to expand the 128GB partition to fill the entire 250GB SDD

That would likely work. You might consider avoiding the dock in case it causes complications.

You need somewhere to store that image file. I assume you have an external you can use for that purpose.

You may not need to include "all partitions" in the image file, depending on your setup. Data can just be copied manually, without reliance on Macrium.

You should make Macrium recovery media so you can recover in those instances where you have a defective drive.

 

[fireberd]

I didn't have to expand the partition. You only need to do that if "Clone", and you are using Disc Image to "backup" the entire drive (all partitions) to some external media. You "restore" from the external media to the new SSD.

 

[squirrel123]

You might consider avoiding the dock in case it causes complications.

what would you suggest as an alternative?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You might consider avoiding the dock in case it causes complications.

what would you suggest as an alternative?

Make the image of the 128, storing it on an external drive, not the dock.

Remove the 128. Install the 250 in it's place. I assume the laptop cannot accommodate 2 internals.

Boot from Macrium recovery media and restore from the external to the 250.

Either method could work or fail. It's just an alternative.

 

[squirrel123]

You might consider avoiding the dock in case it causes complications.

what would you suggest as an alternative?

Make the image of the 128, storing it on an external drive, not the dock.

Remove the 128. Install the 250 in it's place. I assume the laptop cannot accommodate 2 internals.

Boot from Macrium recovery media and restore from the external to the 250.

Either method could work or fail. It's just an alternative.

by Macrium recovery media I assume you mean the image that I made of the 128.
Thanks

 

[AddRAM]

No, you have to create a Macrium Recovery cd, that`s what you will boot from to put the image on the new ssd.

Open Macrium and up top you`ll see Other Tasks, click that and you`ll see Create Rescue Media

 

[squirrel123]

No, you have to create a Macrium Recovery cd, that`s what you will boot from to put the image on the new ssd.

Open Macrium and up top you`ll see Other Tasks, click that and you`ll see Create Rescue Media

cool thanks!

 

[cornemuse]

Here's my idea, will this work?

1) Boot the 128GB system
2) Plug in the 250GB SSD into a SATA/USB dock
3) Use Minitool Partition Wizard to copy the Win7 partitions (including the 100MB 'system' partition) to the 250GB SSD
4) physically remove the 128GB ssd and replace with the 250GB ssd
5) boot up from teh 250GB ssd
6) Use Minitool Partition Wizard to expand the 128GB partition to fill the entire 250GB SDD

This is exactly what I did a few weeks ago, it works most excellently, for me anyways, , , plus the 128 g is your backup in storage.

-c-

 

[Megahertz07]

I've already did what Squirrel fist suggest, copying the partitions to the new disk.
Instead of copying partition one by one, AOMEI has a copy disk.
The two are slow as they are copping partitions in use.
Clonezilla is an Linux graphic app that you boot from a pendrive and clone one disk to the other. It resizes the partition. It's fast. I recommend it.
Clonezilla - About