OS Migration

[D41Robot]

I currently have a Lenovo Y410p that has a 1Tb HDD in it. I just bought a 128Gb SSD for the M.2 slot within the machine. I would like to move or copy the operating system onto the SSD with out losing my setting. Is there any way of doing this? I am going to keep both drives in the system because I do have a large amount of games, music, videos, etc.

[Gix7Fifty]

Clone it with Acronis, I'm just about to do the same thing on ssd's. Going from 120GB EVO to a 256GB Pro.

 

[D41Robot]

Thank you so much for the help. I'm really nervous about doing something like this.

[D41Robot]

Clone it with Acronis, I'm just about to do the same thing on ssd's. Going from 120GB EVO to a 256GB Pro.

 

http://youtu.be/3oZwa6RDABk

Do I need to pay for Acronis?

[Gix7Fifty]

@D41Robot

Yeah, it's not free. I'm already on my new ssd, It took 8 minutes to clone.

[xtasemusic]

i use XXclone. great program works like a charm , can even copy the HardDrive ID.

[xtasemusic]

Just got to make sure you go into options and make it bootable and the fix the bood disk. ( precautions i take )

[Captain_WD]

I currently have a Lenovo Y410p that has a 1Tb HDD in it. I just bought a 128Gb SSD for the M.2 slot within the machine. I would like to move or copy the operating system onto the SSD with out losing my setting. Is there any way of doing this? I am going to keep both drives in the system because I do have a large amount of games, music, videos, etc.

 

Hey D41Robot,

 

When changing storage drives, a fresh install is always recommended as you would avoid any driver issues and compatibility problems, as well as you would get rid of any unnecessary and unused programs and files.

I would suggest avoiding the cloning procedure in this case because cloning does an exact copy of your drive on the new one and it is always recommended that you use a similar or larger drive. Using a smaller one might result in corrupted files or error in the file system or OS boot files.

Another option is to do an image of your old drive (the OS part of it) and simply restore it on the SSD.

 

Captain_WD. 

[D41Robot]

 

Hey D41Robot,

 

When changing storage drives, a fresh install is always recommended as you would avoid any driver issues and compatibility problems, as well as you would get rid of any unnecessary and unused programs and files.

I would suggest avoiding the cloning procedure in this case because cloning does an exact copy of your drive on the new one and it is always recommended that you use a similar or larger drive. Using a smaller one might result in corrupted files or error in the file system or OS boot files.

Another option is to do an image of your old drive (the OS part of it) and simply restore it on the SSD.

 

Captain_WD. 

 

What I would like to just Image the OS because I do not have the money to buy Windows for a clean install on the SSD. All I want on the SSD is the OS. I do not need my movies and pics on the SSD.

[Captain_WD]

What I would like to just Image the OS because I do not have the money to buy Windows for a clean install on the SSD. All I want on the SSD is the OS. I do not need my movies and pics on the SSD.

 

 

Ok, so here are a few steps on how to do that (assuming you are using Windows 7 but it works on Windows 8 too):

 

Windows 7’s Backup and Restore, It’s free but the documentation leaves a lot to be desired.

 

1) Create a System Image backup to the USB drive. When prompted to create a ‘System Repair’ disk, do so.

 

2) Shutdown the computer and remove the hard drive power and SATA connectors from your original Windows 7 hard drive and any additional internal hard drives.

 

3) Connect the power and SATA connector to the new hard drive. At this point this should be your only internal hard drive connected to the computer’s motherboard.

 

4) Boot from the ‘System Repair’ disc.

 

5) Verify the keyboard input method and click ‘Next’.

 

6) Select the ‘Restore your computer using a system image that you created’ option located in the lower left and click ‘Next’.

 

7) A scan for system images that are on your USB drive will begin. At completion of the scan you will have the option to ‘Use the latest available system image’ or ‘Select a system image’. Choose the recommended option and use the latest available system image and click ‘Next’.

 

8) Choose additional restore options: Note: The ‘Format and repartition disks’ option will be check marked but disabled/grayed out. Click ‘Next’.

 

9) The ‘Your computer will be restored from the following system image:’ information will be displayed. Click ‘Finish’.

 

10) Re-image Your Computer prompt. You will now see a pop up with the following message: All data to be restored will be formatted and replaced with the layout and data in the system image. Are you sure you want to continue? Click ‘Yes’.

11) Windows will now start restoring the image to the new hard drive.

 

12) At the completion of the image restoration your computer will reboot, sit back and wait for Windows to start and then logon as you normally do, then remove the System Repair disc.

 

13) You may be prompted to restart the computer to apply changes. Restart the computer.

 

Feel free to ask me if you have any questions,

 

Captain_WD.