Windows 7: SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

My HD is already AHCI because I run an external eSATA.
I had to setup AHCI which allows me to power the external eSTAT On and Off like a USB drive.
I found the drivers already loaded in Windows 7. I had the choice of Microsoft or Intel Drives.

I HAVE INSTALLED WINDOWS XP 32 BIT EARLIER BUT WHEN I AM TRYING TO INSTALL WIN 7 OR VISTA AFTER PARTION WHEN I M TRYING TO LOAD THE DRIVER IT IS SAYING CANT LOCATE THE HARDDISK....INSTEAD THE BOOTING CD IS INSIDE ONLY IT IS SHOWING THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE FILES...I AM USING THE MOTHERBOARD OF ASUS P7H55-MLX

Will Paragon OS to SSD allow me to take an image of the system already on my SSD so I can secure erase it and put it back?

I can't use Windows own system image because of this Not enough room to create system image-but there is

The Paragon migration tool will do everything for you - it is all "automatic". No need for a secure erase - why would you want to do that anyhow. And if you are worried about the write speeds, Trim will fix that over time.

It can't do what I want - which is to take an image or clone or whatever of my SSD so I can restore from it for whatever reason without the hassle of partitioning and/or aligning. At least nothing I have read says that it can do that.

Windows can do it, but my Windows can't as I have explained.

I am going to try this How to fix Error code 0x81000033 when using Windows 7’s Backup and Restore so I can use Windows own system image facility.

If you want to image just for the case that you have a major system disaster, you should image all partitions on your disk (preferably seperately and to different folders on your backup device. Then you can easily distinguish them).

If you have just a "normal" system problem (virus or OS malfunction), you can just restore C to the existing C partition.

If, however, your disk breaks and you have to install a new disk, You need to define (and align) the required partitions on that new disk. You do that best on another system with the new disk in an enclosure or in a desktop box. The cmd commands are described here: SSD Alignment Then you can restore all partitions one by one from your backup folders.

The C partition and (if you have) the data partition you should image frequently so that you always have the latest status. The 100MB active partition and the recovery partition you only have to image once for the case when the physical disk breaks.

Migrate to ssd is meant for migrating - it is not an imaging app. You could use a convoluted method of migrating from the ssd to another drive, then migrating it back - but you don't need to.

Paragon do a good free imaging app. you could use for that purpose.

Paragon Backup & Recovery (Advanced) Free Edition - Free Download

It will align to nt6 partitioning rules on restore to an unallocated drive.

Thanks WHS, things are a bit clearer now, as you can probably tell, this is all totally new to me. :)

Yea, I thought so, though at first I hoped it could do what I needed.

I will check out the link, that is basically what I need, thanks. :)

Since I already have Acronis I have done some searching and it appears that when using the "disk" backup it does keep the alignment, you have to tick "Recover Disk Signature", it seems that this feature does work with SSD's in TI Home 2011.

I will have a look at Paragon too.