Need to migrate Windows 10 installation to new SSD , it's a mess.

Teccmo · 14 Jul 2018

So, without getting into all the technical details before anyone replies, I just bought a 240gig OCZ ssd, to put the OS on to improve performance. I have 3 hdd's installed, and one is a Firecuda, so when I migrated it orignally to the D: drive(the Firecuda), I can't remember how, but I ended up with the boot sector on my original C: drive, and the System and Page file on the new D: drive. So, basically, my windows 10 install is already split up on those 2 drives. Now i just got this SSD, and I have no idea how I could successfully migrate it or clone the install to the ssd, because it's split up, and both drives are bigger than the 240gig SSD. If anyone can help me out with this...i do appreciate it. Thank you.

dalchina · 14 Jul 2018

Hi, you could do that as follows:
- restore your page file to C:
- create a disk image of your existing C: (E.g. use Macrium Reflect (free)
- create Macrium R's boot medium)
- remove all other disks and clean install Win 10 to your SSD, making sure your new C: is at least a little larger than your old one, being the simplest option
- check the PC boots
- Boot using Macrium R's boot medium
- restore the image of C: in place of the new C:
- reboot the PC. Automatic repair will probably enable the boot to occur correctly.
- delete the redundant Windows partitions from other disks. (Best to format your original system disk, other than any existing data partition).

Note: you will need to be confident in partition management and disk imaging.
We strongly urge users to use disk imaging routinely (Windows partitions and any other disks or partitions) to secure their PC so they have a means of recovery to a previous working state- even if their disk fails and they need a new one.

Teccmo · 14 Jul 2018

Sorry, but I don't know if you didn't read the post or if I didn't give you enough information. I have 3 drives already, and they are all much larger (C: 1TB, D:2TB, E:500gb) than the ssd. The D: drive says it's the system drive...to correct myself, and both C and D have a page file. I'm confused, on how I would get the "system" back to C where the boot sector is. I have EaseUS Partition Master and still haven't successfully found a way to move it. I don't want to reinstall windows to the point where I lose all my personal info and have to reinstall programs..I have too much "stuff" for that. I read your response, but what you said to do there isn't going to solve my problem.

dalchina · 15 Jul 2018

but I don't know if you didn't read the post

Yes I did. I guess you didn't understand the answer.

The basic idea is to create a single new disk with Windows on it including your existing C: given your existing installation is a mess.

If that isn't your objective, please explain. Thanks.

Teccmo · 15 Jul 2018

The only reason I said that is because there are a few problems with doing that how you've laid it out. I'm not a novice pc user. The SSD is smaller than the C: drive, by a large amount. The D: drive has the system label on it...meaning it has files on it required for the computer to boot correctly. There is over 1.5gb worth of "data" on that drive, so I can just combine it to the C drive. It's also a seagate firecuda, meaning it has nand flash memory it uses to speed up the drive..it's a hybrid. I said..in the post, that I don't know how to get the installation onto one drive...the c: drive, then i could change that drive partition size. To further complicate things, the motherboard in this pc is a UEFI Bios. I can't just clone the MBR to the SSD as far as I know. So...what you told me to do isn't going to work. That's why I said what I said.

zbook · 15 Jul 2018

1) Open disk management > widen each the status and the volume columns so that the characters in the rows are not cut off > post an image into the thread
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of | Windows 10 Tutorials
Take Screenshot in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

2) Download and install: MiniTool Partition Wizard > post an image into the thread
MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

3) Run the BETA log collector and post a zip into this thread:
https://www.tenforums.com/attachment...-v2-beta10.zip
(extract > open)
Use the text and images in this thread in case there is a problem running the beta log collector: (post #5)
DM Log tool problem Solved - Windows 10 Forums

4) In the left lower corner search type: system or system control > open system control panel > on the left pane click advanced system settings
a) > on the advanced tab under startup and recovery > click settings > post an image of the startup and recovery into the thread.
b) > on the advanced tab under performance > click on settings > under performance options > click on the advanced tab > under virtual memory > click on change > post an image of the virtual memory tab into the thread

5) Update the specs in the "My Computer" section:
System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums | Windows 10 Tutorials
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, port replicator, docking station, USB wireless network card, etc.)
https://www.tenforums.com/profile.php?do=extra

SIW2 · 15 Jul 2018

First thing is to set it up so the boot files ( the system/esp partition) is on the Firecuda.
Then you can transfer the contents of the Firecuda to the 240gig OCZ ssd.
It should not be difficult. We need to see your disk management window.

Teccmo · 15 Jul 2018

The D: drive...Firecuda is 2TB, with only 400gb free. To add to the mess, My AsRock mobo has a UEFI bios, so there's a conflict there if I try to clone the drive to the new ssd.

Teccmo · 15 Jul 2018

SIW2 said:

First thing is to set it up so the boot files ( the system/esp partition) is on the Firecuda.
Then you can transfer the contents of the Firecuda to the 240gig OCZ ssd.
It should not be difficult. We need to see your disk management window.

Need to migrate Windows 10 installation to new SSD , it's a mess.-diskmcapture.jpg

cereberus · 15 Jul 2018

Teccmo said:

Ughhh - you have a mess here to sort out and it all stems from the original C drive partition being a single partition (no seprate system partition) i.e. all the boot files on drive 1 are in the same partition as C partition, but also you have stuff in D drive.

I cannot think of a way of sorting this out. Frankly, I would just disconnect the hdds, and clean install Windows on ssd using media creation tool.

@dalchina - I do not think your suggestion of imaging C drive etc will work here - it is fine if legacy bios installs are using a system reserved partition, but I have never worked out how to do it if original legacy bios is in a single partition (a compatibility hangover from XP days before the system partition was introduced).

I think OP had no option but just to clean install and manually install programs the hard way.