Solved Various SSD dual-boot questions

[golem]

Finally purchased an SSD with the intent to dual-boot this drive for separation of business and personal. As I really like Win7 I've decided to simply install it, along with all updates to it and hardware, on one partition. Will also install any apps that will be common to both partitions. When completed I intend to clone this and apply to second partition. I've created a common partition to accept files used by both partitions such as PST file and etc. A few questions I have are:

1. This is my first time installing an SSD so based on the attached photo (ssd_drive.png) it shows a "System Reserved" partition. Now I'm use to a drive reserving space for these required files but on all previous HD installs this file in usually hidden from the drive view of "My Computer". Just seems odd that it's accessible; when opened no contents are visible. Is this normal for SSd's or did I do something unusual on install?

2. I have currently installed the OS and common apps on the "SSD General" partition and am looking to clone this to the "SSD Trade" partition. Since the "System Reserved" partition has thrown me for a loop I figured I'd ask if the current partitions and partition types will be fine for my intentions? (see attached images)

3. Been a long time since dual-booting (win98/xp) so might as well ask as I have your attention -- Am I correct in believing cloning would be the best route to take? Will it be possible to clone directly from one partition to the other on the same SSD? Hoping to use Acronis Imaging from WD if compatible.

Any insight to assure this upgrade finishes smoothly would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gregrocker]

1. It's as hidden as it needs to be, without a drive letter so not accessible.

2. Should be, use "Auto" clone or imaging setting so it allows clone/image to boot as C, do not copy MBR or Track0. Then add the new Win7 using EasyBCD Download Registration - NeoSmart Technologies. I've been able to do this without reboots from C using Acronis.

3. Acronis WD app is excellent. Try the Auto cloning method, if that wont' cooperate use imaging. The Manual is on the downloads page and easy to understand. WD Support

 

[golem]

Appreciate the reply!

1. It's as hidden as it needs to be, without a drive letter so not accessible.

Not sure what you mean by "not accessible"? I can double-click the drive and enter it but even though I have "show hidden files & folders" optioned I see no drive contents so, in the end, no biggie. Btw, in this last attachment it can be seen that a drive letter was auto-generated for this partition.

But this also leads me to a question. While I'm working on migrating to the SSD I've trayed the original HD/Win7 so I can dual-boot. Looking at the these HDD partitions shows the system files are located on the OS partition whereas the SSD install looks to have them residing on a separate partition. This OS is from the same disk and I'm not sure I changed anything in my usual installation method. Could that small partition now be where the MBR and track 0 be?

2. Should be, use "Auto" clone or imaging setting so it allows clone/image to boot as C, do not copy MBR or Track0. Then add the new Win7 using EasyBCD Download Registration - NeoSmart Technologies. I've been able to do this without reboots from C using Acronis.

EasyBCD sure looks to be a better option than F12.

3. Acronis WD app is excellent. Try the Auto cloning method, if that wont' cooperate use imaging. The Manual is on the downloads page and easy to understand. WD Support

At first look it seemed Acronis TI by WD was a bit crippled and maybe not capable of single partition or selective file restore (omitting MBR/Track0) but further reading of the manual looks to be shedding more light on its capabilities.

 

[gregrocker]

By not accessible I mean nothing can write to it without a drive letter which would be the only risk. The boot files are there as evidenced by the System Active flags, but hidden System files. This is all as expected so I'm not sure why it bothers you?

When you plug in the Source HD the System flag disappears from System Reserved because C is booting Windows. Once source HD is unplugged System Reserved should again be System Active, and if not with all other HD's unplugged mark SysReserved Active then run Startup Repair until it boots and holds System flag.

 

[golem]

Oops, didn't mean to imply it bothered me. Simply a case of curious mind.

Just finished the image "restore" to the alternate partition sans the MBR & track 0. Figured in the interim I'd just use F12 to boot but found that option only works for selecting drives, not partitions. Went ahead and installed EasyBCD, a few tweaks and she works a charm. Outlook had no problem finding the remote PST file which is great as that'll probably be the only shared app anyhow.

Two things I note being different between this dual-boot scenario and those I've done in the past is the second boot partition retains its original drive letter (D) and not defaulting to "C". The other is both partitions remain visible while the other is booted into. Again, this has no effect on operability or botherability so just an observation. Actually it's a plus as I can access files from folders such as "Documents" that would otherwise be inaccessible without a reboot.

Thanks again for your insight. It allowed for a very smooth partition duplication. Already enjoying the HDD > SSD upgrade difference. Kudos!

 

[gregrocker]

This is not correct. In all cases where Win7 is correctly installed from boot, or imaged set to Auto drive letter, with EasyBCD auto-detecting letter, it should boot and show itself as C. Did you do this?

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu so we can look over the config.

 

[golem]

Really appreciate your interest in making this right.

I've attached a bit of overkill here, hope it contains what you're looking for.









I looked through EasyBCD again and the only thing I could think of that might effect drive letter is the "select OS" "Change Settings" screen shot I provided. Not sure if that is asking for currently assigned letter or one of your choice. In addition to that the other screen shots have the booted drive highlighted in yellow.

*EDIT* -- Should add that drives F & G are the trayed disk with F also containing a bootable OS.

 

[gregrocker]

Add the cloned partition using EasyBCD Add New Entry tab. I have no idea what that tweaking tab you found does, but its not used for adding an OS.

So on Edit Boot Menu tab delete the listing for D and add it again correctly to see if it boots as C as it should do otherwise if you Auto cloned it as advised.

 

[golem]

I can advise that I did use the EasyBCD "Add New Entry" tab to register the OS. The other "tweaking" tab snip I posted was to show you the only editable drive letter reference I could find within the app which I pretty much assumed was not applicable.

I'll log out of this OS now to go back and delete then re-register the OS's in EasyBCD. Will advise...

 

[gregrocker]

Only delete the clone as advised. Then add it again.

Did you use Auto clone setting set to Auto select drive letter?

 

[golem]

Not sure what I may have done differently this go-round but I decided to quick format and reinstall the image. It now converts whichever is the currently booted OS to the drive letter "C". That cures half of what I found a bit different compared to previous multi-boot systems. Now I just don't recall being able to view the other bootable partitions (as I currently do), seems they were always hidden until booted into. Chalk it up to having been Win98/XP or do I still have an anomaly?

Should add I did use the "Add New Entry" tab for inputing the bootable OS's on the first attempt. Can only assume I may have fat-fingered the auto drive lettering in Acronis.

 

[gregrocker]

You should be able to see all other drives in Explorer. Only if the other drive letter is removed in Disk Mgmt do they become invisible.

If you didn't set Auto drive letter selection in Acronis it probably caused the first attempt to be lettered D. This is perfectly fine but for some reason nobody seems to want it.

 

[golem]

Seems this one can be considered solved.

As I stated before Thanks again for your assistance. It is very much appreciated.

Merry Christmas! Best of the holidays and New Year to you!

 

[gregrocker]

You're welcome and best wishes to you as well.