Help cloning "partitioned C: drive" to SSD

[vcarpio2]

Hi.

My "C:" drive is actually a 60GB partition in a 500GB drive. The drive has two other partitions: my "E:" drive where I install all my software and a "System Reserved". I'm running Win7 ultimate 64-bit.

I just bought a 120GB SSD. I would like to transfer my "C:" drive to the SSD so I can boot Win7 from the SSD without reinstalling everything (and also gain additional 60GB freespace).

How do I do it?

I understand I would need to copy the "C:" partition and the "System Reserve" partition. I also think I cannot just do a disk copy because the HD is 500GB while my SSD is only 120GB. Or can I?

I have EASUS Partition Master Pro 6.1.1. Not sure if this is an issue but the "Disk Operations" options are grayed out including a "Disk Copy" under it. I only have "Partition Operations" options available with a "Partition Copy" under it.

Thanks for any leads!

EDIT: I didn't do a thorough site search before posting -- I just now found all other SSD discussions under "Memory and Storage" and am looking through it -- sorry. Still, any leads appreciated. I had actually tried migrating for the past two nights without success. But I'm confident I'm just not finding the right info online. Thanks.

[JackMDS]

Using Acronis True Image might help you in doing this.

The principle is to use the Boot DVD, creat an image of the partitions that you want to use on the new drive to an external drive, then install the Image onto the New SSD Drive.

[nk215]

Paragon has a free product called HHD to SSD. Give it a try. It works great for me

[corkyg]

Originally Posted by JackMDS

Using Acronis True Image might help you in doing this.
The principle is to use the Boot DVD, creat an image of the partitions that you want to use on the new drive to an external drive, then install the Image onto the New SSD Drive.

This! I recently cloned my laptop HDD to a SSD. It had FOUR partitions - all cloned perfectly. The advantage of TI is it can do proportional cloning and get correct alignment between different size drives. Have seen recent reports of EASEUS failing to do this.

An important point Jack makes is that it is best done with bootable media - not from within Windows.

[vcarpio2]

Thank you, Jack. Thank you, too, nk215, corkyg. I'm still halfway through following Jack's advise (reinforced by corkyg) so still holding breath.

I actually found the same advise earlier online but buried under so many others didn't see it as the underlying principle. It makes sense. I am still using my EASEUS Partition Master Pro since Acronis TI would set me back $50. I created the Boot CD from EASEUS, booted into it, then imaged my "C:" partition and the "System Reserved" (don't know if I need this but just in case) onto a USB HDD outside Windows. It took all of last night imaging the 60GB so tonight I'll try restoring it to my new SSD.

I will try HHD-to-SSD if unsuccessful.

Thanks again. I will update this with my results.

[vcarpio2]

I got it working. The steps were as Jack described:

1) Create boot disk from EASEUS Partition Master Pro.
2) Shutdown then connect SSD.
3) Boot with boot disk created in #1.
4) Copy partitions "System Reserved" and "c:" from HD onto SSD (using boot disk "copy partition")
5) Shutdown - disconnect HD - reconnect SSD using the HD's SATA cable.
6) Boot Windows installation DVD then click "repair". Let Windows do whatever repairs it thinks are needed. This step makes the SSD bootable I think.
7) Reboot -- new SSD now boots up Windows.

I then reconnected my old HD to another available SATA connection.

Those were what made it work. One time, however, I got a blue screen after the "Starting windows" tried to switch to my desktop I think. I did the steps all over again.

I also committed some simple mistakes like not setting the SSD as the 1st boot device in BIOS which I spent a lot of time troubleshooting. I've been switching a lot between the SSD, CD, and HD as first boot device hence my confusion.

So I guess the lesson is, there are many manual steps of transferring OS to SSD (unless maybe you buy Acronis TI) so there is plenty of opportunity for error.

Thanks to the suggestions.