Solved moving system files from HDD to SSD

[Amaterasu]

hi there,
i recently installed windows 7 on my SSD as i just want to use my HDD just for storage but the problem i have is that i need both drives plugged in the my PC to boot so how to i move the system files to my SSD where the should be in the first place.
thanks

 

[AddRAM]

You did not unplug the hard drive when you installed windows on the ssd.

You should reinstall windows to the ssd, WITHOUT the hard drive connected.

Anywho, you need the ssd marked Active, then you can write the system files to the ssd by runnng startup repair.

You can use the install dvd and Diskpart to mark the ssd Active.

Did you setup and align the ssd before you did the install ?

If the SSD is not aligned, you may as well start over.

You can check the alignment like this.

In command prompt type Diskpart, hit enter

list disk, hit enter

select disk 0, hit enter

list partition, hit enter

if the offset on the KB level is not divisable by 4 then it`s wrong.

Example:

 

[AddRAM]

You can also unplug the hard drive, start the install again, and this time delete the ssd down to unallocated space, then just hit next. The windows 7 install will then take care of the alignment for you. But you will end up with a system reserved partition.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[GokAy]

I moved boot files from System Reserved to C with EasyBCD (later deleted SR and regained empty space on the left with Partition Wizard 9 free).

AddRAM - would this not work?
- Use EasyBCD to move boot files
- Mark SSD active in Disk Management (if not with Partition Wizard from Windows or boot)
- restart

You can try this right before a reinstall, and you wouldn't be losing anything other than a few minutes

 

[AddRAM]

Of course that will work, but it`s better to teach people how to setup a partition properly, then install windows, instead of just fixing it all the time.

The best practice is to either let the installer do everything. ( No other drives plugged in )

Set the drive up with Diskpart ( no system reserved partition ) (and probably the easiest way ) although not for a novice.

Set the drive up using a Partition Wizard Boot CD ( my favorite way )

Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

Example:

 

[GokAy]

I get you.

When I clean installed last month during HDD-SSD transition, I knew to disconnect all other drives from what I have read here but wasn't aware of System Reserved being needed for bitlocker only. I had to remove it later, but hopefully it worked alright.

 

[AddRAM]

Yep, no one taught me, it took a while to learn

With a Partition Wizard Boot CD, you can create, align, format and set Active the install partition in less then 5 minutes.

Is your SSD aligned ?

Check it.

If not the PW Boot CD can fix that too

 

[GokAy]

Is your SSD aligned ? Check it. If not the PW Boot CD can fix that too

Yes, of course. I use "AS SSD Benchmark" to check though.

Amaterasu, you can use the above program to check alignment (also see which drivers are used by SSD). Text in upper left when you open the program - top: driver, bottom: alignment (green is good, red is misaligned)

 

[AddRAM]

It`s easier to use Diskpart in Command Prompt, you don`t have to download or install anything. Takes less the 30 seconds.

 

[Amaterasu]

ok thanks addram and gokay for your help is will have a look later and report back

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't want to reinstall then you can indeed move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums making sure at reboot you set the Win7 drive to boot first in BIOS setup.

Then if Win7 is marked System Active in Disk Mgmt, you can delete the System Reserved partition in Disk Mgmt after marking it Inactive Partition - Mark as Inactive , boot the old drive using the one-time BIOS boot menu key, or move trhe data off to wipe the old hard drive with Diskpart Clean Command to get it cleanest then repartition in Disk Mgmt and move the data back on.

 

[Amaterasu]

If you don't want to reinstall then you can indeed move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums making sure at reboot you set the Win7 drive to boot first in BIOS setup.

Then if Win7 is marked System Active in BIOS setup, you can delete the System Reserved partition in Disk Mgmt after marking it Inactive Partition - Mark as Inactive , boot the old drive using the one-time BIOS boot menu key, or move trhe data off to wipe the old hard drive with Diskpart Clean Command to get it cleanest then repartition in Disk Mgmt and move the data back on.

thanks for your help problem solved

 

[gregrocker]

Glad to hear it. If there's nothing else we can help you with then you can mark the thread Solved at top.