Imaging win7 pro to different large ssd

Banzai_Joe · 4 Mar 2011 at 16:21

Hi all,

jut bought a OCZ Vertex2 160gb and rather than reinstall everything that's already on my Intel X25-M 80gb, can i use the windows builtin image backup feature to create an image onto an external usb drive, then use a windows repair disk to recall the image onto the new 160gb ssd? once i've disconnected the 80gb and connected up to 160gb of course).

Doing it tonight so quick replies would be appreciated.

Thanks

edit: running win 7 pro x64

vertica · 4 Mar 2011 at 16:29

Yeah, that should be fine. Assuming you don't change anything in the BIOS.

You'll probably have to resize the partition afterwards though. IIRC the image recovery will generate the partition as it was before (74.4GB). So go to 'computer management' -> 'storage' -> 'disk management' Then right click the partition and expand it as much as you can.

I'm not sure how it will deal with the alignment on the SSD, W7 does that automatically on install. Not sure if the image will do so. Not that it will make any noticable difference.

Blackbadger · 4 Mar 2011 at 17:38

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2010/12/22/paragon-migrate-os-to-ssd-free-download-with-license-serial-code/

Paragon SSD migrate tool.

This tool works a treat.. auto alligns etc all for you.. quick and easy and free if using the above link.

Banzai_Joe · 10 Mar 2011 at 08:03

Update on this:
didn't bother with imaging, just re-installed windows 7 pro x64 on the new Vertex2 160Gb SSD.
However, the system keeps rebooting itself just as the windows 7 flags starts to assemble (on startup) when i have AHCI set in the bios. I have to put it back to IDE for it to boot!
The intel drive was fine in AHCI.

Any ideas? (considering the components in my sig, mobo on latest bios.)

Philtor · 10 Mar 2011 at 08:11

Did you enable AHCI before installing Windows? If not you need to perform the registry hack explained here then restart and enable AHCI.

Banzai_Joe · 10 Mar 2011 at 08:51

thanks phil, AHCI was already enabled as it worked fine with my previous intel SSD.
Forgot to mention that when AHCI is enabled and windows does reboot just as the flags starts to assemble, i do get a BSOD, but it flashes on and off so quick i don't have a clue as to what it says, but there's not a lot of text on it, when a lot of BSODs tend to show almost a full page of white text on the blue screen.

Will try the fix when i get home, thanks again.

Banzai_Joe · 11 Mar 2011 at 10:54

phil,
that fix worked perfectly, thanks ever so much for the advice mate.

Case closed.

Philtor · 11 Mar 2011 at 11:41

Good stuff mate

Glad you got it sorted.