Clone emmc 32gb storage to hdd

Tutek · 25 May 2023

Hello,
My Asus Transformer comes with small 32gb emmc soldered storage and second 1TB HDD storage, and I would like to move OS to this bigger HDD because of low free space.
I did a clone using macrium reflect free, but after reboot in bios in boot order I see along windows boot manager not one HDD but three, no matter what this HDD I choose then windows is booting but trying to do automatic repair and then finish in advanced boot options's blue screen. How could I switch to this bigger HDD, could you help me?

Megahertz · 25 May 2023

The big advantage of a SSD is speed and the big advantage of a HDD is space. You can have both if you move C:\users (SSD) to D:\Users (HDD) - Move Users Folder Location in Windows 10

Tutek said:

I did a clone using macrium reflect free,

Did you clone the whole drive or only some partitions?

Please edit your profile with ALL your hardware specs. It will help us to help you
System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums

Please post a whole window Disk Manager image of ALL your drives. Don't forget to expand the columns so we can read them. How to Post a Screenshot of Disk Management
If you have a MiniTool or AOMEI Partition use it instead or Windows disk manager.

Try3 · 25 May 2023

Some emmc computers cannot switch OS to a different disk because of limitations in the Bios [which may or may not be documented].
I suggest you check Asus support & any user forums they might run to see if there is any guidance there.

Best of luck,
Denis

Tutek · 25 May 2023

After cloning my disks looks like:

In bios it looks like:

But no matter what hgst HDD drive I choose, then it always boot with the emmc drive:

Maybe because c:\ partition have bitlocker enabled?

cereberus · 25 May 2023

I would be rather surprised if you could boot from a different drive to the emmc drive.

However, you could try and create a dual boot entry for the cloned version. That way boot files are still on emmc drive.

First turn off bitlocker and reclone.

Then extend the E partition so you have more space.

After that, try and add a boot entry for the cloned OS from an admin command prompt.

Code:

bcdboot e:\windows /p /d

Hopefully, you will now have option which version to boot into.

bro67 · 25 May 2023

No it has zero to do with bitlocker, it is the bios controlling where the OS must be installed.

cereberus · 25 May 2023

bro67 said:

No it has zero to do with bitlocker, it is the bios controlling where the OS must be installed.

We do not know that for certain, byt early emmc devices were 32bit uefi and had special firmware, and it was impossible to change the boot drive.

If the emmc installation is 64bit, it may not let boot files be anywhere but the emmc drive, but it may be possible to add a boot entry to the bcd to boot OS on another drive.

SIW2 · 25 May 2023

did you check the bcd entry on disk2 is pointing the right way ?

no matter what this HDD I choose then windows is booting but trying to do automatic repair and then finish in advanced boot options's blue screen

sounds like it might be, but that sentence is difficult to decipher.

Tutek · 26 May 2023

If in BIOS boot priority I set:
First boot: windows boot manager
Second: Disabled
Third: Disabled
Then during a boot I have Asus boot screen and system is booting with the small os disk

If I set
First boot: UEFI: HGST
Second: Disabled
Third: Disabled
Then I have different boot screen - default windows 10 boot screen, but the system is booting still from small emmc drive. I don't understand a bit.

Bcdedit command:

Added e:\windows boot:

But after reboot I have this error:

bro67 · 26 May 2023

Because it is hard coded into the bios in a way that you cannot change it. If it wants the drive repaired, you have to repair with a Windows boot USB.