HDD > SSD migration disaster

[starmurph]

 

I have yet migrated anything from the HDD. Mounted the SSD in to my computer, but I'm pretty lost as to what to do next.

 

Everywhere I look people say different things, and they sure don't cover the errors I run in to.

 

For example:

After going in to BIOS > Boot > Hard Disk Drive BBS Priorities and selecting the SSD as #1

I get an error message from Lenovo as I try to boot the system, reading: This program can only run on a Lenovo system.

 

If I also go to BIOS > Boot, to choose it there simultaneously I get an error reading: Reboot and select proper boot device. (Although, the SSD doesn't appear with the name as it does under Hard Disk Drive BBS Priorities so I'm not sure it's the same)

 

Any clue on what to do?

 

Current computer is using old parts from a Lenovo H250E.

Including:

8GB RAM

Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD (Windows 8 included, upgraded to Windows 10 many months ago, on the new build)

[cpuwaiy]

what model computer?

[ARikozuM]

How did you copy the OS over?

[kelvinhall05]

You should wipe the SSD if there is anything on it, then boot from a USB that has Windows install media on it.

[starmurph]

9 minutes ago, cpuwaiy said:

what model computer?

Something like H250e model.

To be clear, I used it's RAM and HDD for the build that I'm currently using.

[starmurph]

2 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

How did you copy the OS over?

Never had to.

I think.

Long time ago.

 

Just plugged the same HDD in to the new build.

[ARikozuM]

2 minutes ago, starmurph said:

snip

Lenovo adds a key into the OS that allows it to only run when the lock matches. It's a pain, but it is for security.

 

Are you trying to access the HDD or boot from it?

[starmurph]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

Lenovo adds a key into the OS that allows it to only run when the lock matches. It's a pain, but it is for security.

 

Are you trying to access the HDD or boot from it?

Clearly, HDDs and SSDs are the weaklink for me when building computers. Not 100% sure on how everything works, with different boot methods etc.

I want Windows on the SSD, and leave everything else on the HDD. (Which I know isn't possible without going back and forth with a backup drive, which I have)

Then I'd probably just store games that I play on a regular there, and switch them out for new ones whenever I decide to.

[ARikozuM]

What OS do you have? 

[2bitmarksman]

I'm confused on what has been done so far. From what it sounds like you've put the SSD into your system and used Samsung's data migration software to migrate everything from the HDD to the SSD and then selected the SSD as your primary boot device in the BIOS. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Under the above assumption, are you using a windows image from a disc provided by Lenovo? As in, it's not a straight up Windows 7, 8.1, 10, etc disc, but a Lenovo branded disc? If you're using a Lenovo branded disc then this is most likely a factory image rather than the full OS, and will likely do checks for if there are any hardware changes. i.e. Lenovo wants you to only buy and upgrade shit from them, you would need to get an actual Windows OS disc/iso and reinstall from that, if that's the case.

[starmurph]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

What OS do you have? 

On the Lenovo I had Windows 8, then I upgraded it to Windows 10.

If I remember right I think I had some problems with Lenovo not recognizing the computer, on upgrade. 

I just received some confirmation numbers to activate it again.

Don't remember how though, might have been through Windows or Lenovo support.

[ARikozuM]

1 minute ago, starmurph said:

On the Lenovo I had Windows 8, then I upgraded it to Windows 10.

If I remember right I think I had some problems with Lenovo not recognizing the computer, on upgrade. 

I just received some confirmation numbers to activate it again.

Don't remember how though, might have been through Windows or Lenovo support.

You activate the OS through Microsoft either via Windows Auth or by phone. 

 

If you run into issues with the OS, you can reinstall the OS cleanly. Windows 10 doesn't need a key once you assign it to your Microsoft account.

 

As for the HDD, I would backup everything that you need via copy-paste (programs should still work, but mileage may vary) and then do a "clean all" from Diskpart.

[starmurph]

7 minutes ago, 2bitmarksman said:

I'm confused on what has been done so far. From what it sounds like you've put the SSD into your system and used Samsung's data migration software to migrate everything from the HDD to the SSD and then selected the SSD as your primary boot device in the BIOS. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Under the above assumption, are you using a windows image from a disc provided by Lenovo? As in, it's not a straight up Windows 7, 8.1, 10, etc disc, but a Lenovo branded disc? If you're using a Lenovo branded disc then this is most likely a factory image rather than the full OS, and will likely do checks for if there are any hardware changes. i.e. Lenovo wants you to only buy and upgrade shit from them, you would need to get an actual Windows OS disc/iso and reinstall from that, if that's the case.

Updated.

[starmurph]

3 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

You activate the OS through Microsoft either via Windows Auth or by phone. 

 

If you run into issues with the OS, you can reinstall the OS cleanly. Windows 10 doesn't need a key once you assign it to your Microsoft account.

 

As for the HDD, I would backup everything that you need via copy-paste (programs should still work, but mileage may vary) and then do a "clean all" from Diskpart.

Yep was through Windows Authentication.

Was thinking about resetting my OS and I don't really need anything.

 

Updated the original post, because it was unclear.

[ARikozuM]

5 minutes ago, starmurph said:

Yep was through Windows Authentication.

Was thinking about resetting my OS and I don't really need anything.

 

Updated the original post, because it was unclear.

Just make sure that your Microsoft account is tied to the Win10 system and that it shows up in "Connected Devices" at Microsoft.com.

[2bitmarksman]

So has the only hardware change been adding the SSD? As in you can boot from the HDD just fine, but after the data migration you can't from the SSD?

[starmurph]

1 minute ago, 2bitmarksman said:

So has the only hardware change been adding the SSD? As in you can boot from the HDD just fine, but after the data migration you can't from the SSD?

Just checked my HDD and it's a Seagate Barracuda.

 

Yeah, apart from moving the old parts and adding them to the new rig, the only recent hardware change has been adding the SSD. I haven't migrated anything yet. Not sure how to, just see a lot of people using payed programs do copy all their things over. But I don't need all my stuff, would be OK with a clean reset of my PC. As long as I get Windows over to the SSD.

 

Do I just copy Windows8_OS (C:) and paste it?

Where to though, the SSD is not being recognized in File Explorer.

[WkdPaul]

Threads merged, there's no need to make multiple threads.

[2bitmarksman]

If you can see your SSD go to Start -> Right-click on Computer and select 'Manage'. Expand Storage from the left navigation panel and select Disk Management. You should see the SSD in here as Unallocated Storage. Right click on that drive in the bottom of the mid panel and select Format. Format as NTFS and you will get a Wizard for configuring the drive, select a drive letter and name of your choosing and just hit next/finish. Your system should show the drive is now Healthy and you will be able to see it and use it.

If you want to boot from the SSD however, you will need the windows OS install disc or a bootable flash drive with the windows OS image on it and run through the installation, selecting the SSD as your drive of choice for installing the OS on. Straight up copying the windows folder on your C drive to your new SSD won't work.

Best of luck!

[starmurph]

18 hours ago, 2bitmarksman said:

If you can see your SSD go to Start -> Right-click on Computer and select 'Manage'. Expand Storage from the left navigation panel and select Disk Management. You should see the SSD in here as Unallocated Storage. Right click on that drive in the bottom of the mid panel and select Format. Format as NTFS and you will get a Wizard for configuring the drive, select a drive letter and name of your choosing and just hit next/finish. Your system should show the drive is now Healthy and you will be able to see it and use it.

If you want to boot from the SSD however, you will need the windows OS install disc or a bootable flash drive with the windows OS image on it and run through the installation, selecting the SSD as your drive of choice for installing the OS on. Straight up copying the windows folder on your C drive to your new SSD won't work.

Best of luck!

Fixed my problem by plugging the SSD into the first SATA port and the HDD to the second. It let me boot from the SSD and successfully format the HDD.

Still though, in boot priorities, I can't choose the SSD, it leaves me with the same old error message.

 

However, the #1 is not named after my HDD either... It's called something along the lines of Hard Disk Drive: Windows, while the actual HDD shows up as S102032 something something in BBS priorities.

And I think it actually delays my SSD boot by a second or two since it has to go through looking for Windows on the other HDD before finding it in priority #2.

Not sure on how to fix it, but I doesn't really bother me.