HD to SSD cloning for non-OS drive

[Termie]

Hey all - I finally decided to upgrade my programs/data drive to a 256GB SSD, and want to know the latest insights on cloning to an SSD.

Now, before you say "don't clone!", keep in mind that I've given that advice dozens of times in this very forum, but that was all for first-time upgraders who were trying to clone their OS drives. I already have W7 installed on my Intel x-25m, and for the sake of simplicity (and because the computer works so well right now), I'm not going to touch that.

In short, I just want to clone my programs and documents drive to the SSD. Can I clone safely or will I still run into potential problems? The bulk of what's on there are Steam games, a few other games, my "Documents" folder including lots of MP3s and JPEGs (which I could obviously just copy directly rather than clone), and a few other programs (photo editing, utilities, etc.).

The programs I run most days are already on my SSD, so the worst case scenario isn't that bad - I can uninstall everything that's on my HD and reinstall the stuff that I actually need, and just copy over the personal files. Cloning would save me a few hours (and a whole lot of steam downloads - although I've read there's a way to move the steam folder).

Thoughts?

Edit: Looks like I was using the wrong terminology. There is no such thing as cloning a non-OS drive, and it turns out the solution is quite simple. Thanks guys!

 

[Elixer]

Um, why not just move the folder to the SSD ? Once you have the SSD formatted, it should be aligned ok (w/ win7/vista).
Then you can use the system tools to copy your profile to the new SSD.

 

[Termie]

Um, why not just move the folder to the SSD ? Once you have the SSD formatted, it should be aligned ok (w/ win7/vista).
Then you can use the system tools to copy your profile to the new SSD.

What do you mean by "copy your profile". Does that update the Windows links to installed programs?

 

[Elixer]

You can use ccleaner (free) to fix the shortcuts.

AFAIK, there is no way to clone anything on windows like what you are talking about without messing up the shortcuts and or install settings in the registry.

The program will still look in the registry and get the install path, and if that isn't correct, it will throw a error message. (This assumes the program uses the registry).

Same goes for the uninstall routines... you need to mess with the registry to fix that.

For your profile, you move that to another drive so when you nuke your OS drive, you don't have to nuke your data/settings as well.

Hope that is a bit more clear.

 

[Termie]

You can use ccleaner (free) to fix the shortcuts.

AFAIK, there is no way to clone anything on windows like what you are talking about without messing up the shortcuts and or install settings in the registry.

The program will still look in the registry and get the install path, and if that isn't correct, it will throw a error message. (This assumes the program uses the registry).

Same goes for the uninstall routines... you need to mess with the registry to fix that.

For your profile, you move that to another drive so when you nuke your OS drive, you don't have to nuke your data/settings as well.

Hope that is a bit more clear.

Thanks for the explanation. I think I'll just bite the bullet and reinstall my programs.

 

[taltamir]

Cloning only has a purpose on a boot drive. Cloning will NOT WORK for what you are trying to do.
Don't use CC-cleaner...

Step 1: Plug in new drive.
Step 2: Format new drive
Step 3: Move all files and folders from old drive to new drive.
Step 4: Change the drive letters so the new drive is the same drive letter as the old drive. (A. Remove the drive letter from old drive. B. Change new drive's drive letter to match old one. C. Assign a new drive letter to old drive)
http://www.itechtalk.com/thread3400.html

Its easy, its quick, and there is no need to reinstall anything.

 

[Termie]

Cloning only has a purpose on a boot drive. Cloning will NOT WORK for what you are trying to do.
Don't use CC-cleaner...

Step 1: Plug in new drive.
Step 2: Format new drive
Step 3: Move all files and folders from old drive to new drive.
Step 4: Change the drive letters so the new drive is the same drive letter as the old drive. (A. Remove the drive letter from old drive. B. Change new drive's drive letter to match old one. C. Assign a new drive letter to old drive)
http://www.itechtalk.com/thread3400.html

Its easy, its quick, and there is no need to reinstall anything.

Awesome, thank you! I didn't realize it was that easy!

 

[taltamir]

you are most welcome

 

[Termie]

Ok, got my new SSD programs drive installed. Man, that was easy...just copied everything over and set the drive letter to what my old HDD was set at.

Thanks, guys!