Windows system image on my ssd

[Rfore44]

Im trying to set up my 120GB ssd to be my main drive. After formatting my ssd I made a system image using the windows 7 tool. The image went onto my new ssd is there a way to just open it on the ssd and then set it up as my main boot drive or do I have to do something different. Thank you for your help.

 

[nitroman84]

For the SSD to boot it must be an active partition. If you are not sure how to do this refer to this tutorial. Good luck and be sure to ask if you have any further questions.

 

[karlsnooks]

Im trying to set up my 120GB ssd to be my main drive. After formatting my ssd I made a system image using the windows 7 tool. The image went onto my new ssd is there a way to just open it on the ssd and then set it up as my main boot drive or do I have to do something different. Thank you for your help.

Please supply following:
HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY
Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top.


Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT-Spacebar key combo | X key (selects Maximize) |
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field.


Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save


Post the snapshot:
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

=========================================
thanks,
karl

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm not sure what you have done, but it sounds like you may have just made a system image file of C, storing that image file on your SSD.

That won't work if that's what you did. Image files by themselves do nothing.

You need to "restore" that image file before it will work. The image file should be stored on some other hard drive and then "restored" to the SSD.

It's difficult to tell what you actually did from the way your post is worded.

So we need to see the screen shot as Karl requested.

 

[Rfore44]

I'm not sure what you have done, but it sounds like you may have just made a system image file of C, storing that image file on your SSD.

That won't work if that's what you did. You need to "restore" that image file before it will work. The image file should be stored on some other hard drive and then "restored" to the SSD.

It's difficult to tell what you actually did from the way your post is worded.

So we need to see the screen shot as Karl requested.

Yea it is a a image of C that was placed on my ssd. So I can't just open that image on the ssd so that the ssd and C are the exact same thing? Then use my ssd as my new C drive.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No.

Let's say you have a C partition on a regular hard drive.

The proper procedure would be to:

1: Use an imaging program to make an image file of that C partition, storing it on some other drive, such as an external.

2: Restore that image file to the SSD.

You can't "open" the image file itself and do anything with it. You have to "restore" it to the SSD.

Another option is to "clone" the C partition to the SSD, but imaging is more commonly used.

 

[nitroman84]

That changes things a little, you would have to restore that image to the SSD with a windows 7 recovery disk for this to work. A simpler route would be to image the drive with a free tool like Marcum Reflect.

 

[Rfore44]

That changes things a little, you would have to restore that image to the SSD with a windows 7 recovery disk for this to work. A simpler route would be to image the drive with a free tool like Marcum Reflect.

So I would have to delete the image off of my ssd, then run marcum reflect to clone my current C: drive then put it on my ssd?

 

[nitroman84]

That changes things a little, you would have to restore that image to the SSD with a windows 7 recovery disk for this to work. A simpler route would be to image the drive with a free tool like Marcum Reflect.

So I would have to delete the image off of my ssd, then run marcum reflect to clone my current C: drive then put it on my ssd?

When you clone to the SSD it will be wiped automatically, all contents will be deleted before the operation starts.

 

[Rfore44]

That changes things a little, you would have to restore that image to the SSD with a windows 7 recovery disk for this to work. A simpler route would be to image the drive with a free tool like Marcum Reflect.

So I would have to delete the image off of my ssd, then run marcum reflect to clone my current C: drive then put it on my ssd?

When you clone to the SSD it will be wiped automatically, all contents will be deleted before the operation starts.

Ok so all it will be is downloading the program and cloning then done?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It's best that you post a screenshot of Disk Management as requested.

But if you have done what I think you have done, yes, you should wipe out whatever is on the SSD.

Then make a new image file with something like Macrium, putting the image file on an external.

Then restore that image file from the external to the SSD.

This is NOT a clone.

Cloning is different and does NOT use an image.

Cloning is a real time transfer without using an external or an image file of any type.

I'd try imaging first. If it fails, try cloning. If that fails, do a clean install. Many would advise you to do a clean install anyway.


If you have a "System Reserved" partition on your hard drive, it needs to be included in any image of C.

Post the screen shot.

 

[karlsnooks]

Rfore,
To accurately advise you, that disk management snapshot is a necessity.

Awaiting the disk management snapshot.
thanks, karl

 

[Rfore44]

rfore,
to accurately advise you, that disk management snapshot is a necessity.

Awaiting the disk management snapshot.
Thanks, karl

here

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You don't appear to have done anything useful to the SSD. It has no boot files. There is something about 2 GB on it, probably that image file you made or?

I'd start over.

If you decide to use imaging, you have to include both of those partitions on disk 0 in the image file--the small system partition and C.

Save the image file on an external. Then disconnect the drive that now has Windows on it. Plug the SSD into the same spot on the motherboard and restore the image to the SSD from the external.

C currently has about 97 GB occupied. That should be restorable to the 120 GB SSD as is, when combined with the tiny System partition.

It may be simpler for you to just do a clean install.

 

[karlsnooks]

Do you desire to put your present C on to the SSD or
install Win 7 to the SSD (which will be easier and quicker)?

 

[Rfore44]

Would just like windows 7 on it so I can use it as my main drive but when I bought this computer it didn't come with a windows 7 disk, it was pre loaded on its current HD. So I thought the only way would be copying the whole HDD to my ssd.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You can easily download a legal Windows ISO file from mydigitallife.info, burn that ISO to a DVD, and install from that. Activate it with your existing product key.

You need to download the exact same version of Windows as came on the PC.

 

[Rfore44]

How do I find my product key? Sorry for the noob question.

 

[karlsnooks]

Next question is: Do you have your Win 7 product key?
Is there a sticker on your computer showing the product key?

Please note that both Speccy and SIW can show you your 25 character product id which goes by different names within Microsoft and speccy and siw. The clue is 25 character.

Do NOT post your product id. That's what you paid for. ISOs are available everywhere, including legit isos.

Do NOT ever post your Windows Product ID/Serial Number which is available under:
Speccy | Operating System | Serial Number and under
SIW | Software | Licenses | Windows Product Key
Do NOT ever post your Windows Product ID/Serial Number.
==========================================

links to speccy and siw in my signature.

 

[karlsnooks]

Rfore,
After all of this time, and you still haven't filled in your system specs. Now that is not wise.

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.