Cloning my 9879 istallation is giving me fits......

warewasher2025 · 30 Nov 2014

I have been trying to clone my windows 10 9879 installation to an empty SSD . I have tried the software that came with my Samsung drive (data migration) sometimes it sees the drives and sometimes it doesn't. If I get it to start the process it checks the system for about 7 seconds and then locks up and I have to hard shut down.
I downloaded and tried Seagate disk wizard but no luck with that either. The Seagate starts the process through a restart then just shuts down. I check the log on the Seagate software and see an error message about cannot determine sync agent services state. Also account not found but I fixed that by running as administrator.
Since I have the installation tweaked and working just the way I want it....as well as data and programs that have on this drive I would rather clone it to the SSD rather than do a clean install.
Any suggestions on cloning software or how to proceed.
Thanks for any input in advance.

topgundcp · 30 Nov 2014

First, to clone a disk. The destination disk must be equal or greater in size. I suggest to use : Macrium Reflect Free
to make a Windows backup image to another external drive then restore to your SSD.

NOTE: Make sure the SSD firmware is up to date and also run chkdsk C: /f on the Seagate HD.

Kari · 30 Nov 2014

warewasher2025 said:

Any suggestions on cloning software or how to proceed.
Thanks for any input in advance.

To move a complete Windows installation to a new hardware, be it a totally new computer or the same computer with hardware changes as in moving it from HDD to SSD, is as far as I know and have experienced best to do with Sysprep.

This is what Microsoft has to say about the subject:

Important

You must use the Sysprep /generalize command to generalize a complete Windows installation before you can use the installation for deployment to a new computer, whether you use imaging, hard disk duplication, or another method. Moving or copying a Windows image to a different computer without running the Sysprep /generalize command is not supported.

I would at least try this method. See the tutorial at our sister site the Seven Forums: Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer - Windows 7 Help Forums, method Two is for you. For the imaging and restoring as told in tutorial, use the Macrium Reflect Free Topgundcp mentioned in post above.

jimbo45 · 07 Dec 2014

Hi there

While sysprepping is recommended - I've cloned loads of machines by simply using Acronis universal restore to different hardware.
Usually the system will boot but you might have to add drivers manually.

In the event of a BSOD on boot simply run the Repair system from an install disk -- this usually repairs the boot mechanism and the system will boot.

Don't forget of course to have an ACTIVE boot partition -- and remember there are considerations when using UEFI. My clones all originated FROM a NON UEFI Desktop type machine and the target machine even if it is UEFI capable I switch that off in the BIOS and format the OS HDD as an MBR (not GPT) Disk. For smaller HDD's (SSD's in particular) there's no problem in using MBR disks. You can format the other ones as GPT of course.

I'm not sure - especially on laptops whether the hassle of UEFI is actually worth it - especially if you are using a small SSD as the boot device.

Cheers
jimbo

warewasher2025 · 08 Dec 2014

Thanks for all the great info, But after fiddling around for the better part of 3 days, I finally threw in the towel and just reinstalled Windows 10 9879 on my SSD. It's working great and I love it so far.
I'm triple booting my system with Windows 7----Windows 8.1----and Windows 10.
My next project is to attempt a Windows XP install on a new partition of the Windows 8 hard drive. So far it appears to be a challenge. There must be a generic SATA driver that will work out there somewhere. My Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 SATA drivers won't work. I have slipstreamed the driver into my XP install disc but I keep getting error messages that my hard drive has a virus....it doesn't.
Any ideas??????

jimbo45 · 08 Dec 2014

warewasher2025 said:

Thanks for all the great info, But after fiddling around for the better part of 3 days, I finally threw in the towel and just reinstalled Windows 10 9879 on my SSD. It's working great and I love it so far.
I'm triple booting my system with Windows 7----Windows 8.1----and Windows 10.
My next project is to attempt a Windows XP install on a new partition of the Windows 8 hard drive. So far it appears to be a challenge. There must be a generic SATA driver that will work out there somewhere. My Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 SATA drivers won't work. I have slipstreamed the driver into my XP install disc but I keep getting error messages that my hard drive has a virus....it doesn't.
Any ideas??????

Hi there

Try the Unofficial SP4 update (Service pack 4) for XP -- although I'd recommend running XP as a VM. There's updated etc drivers for it. Apparently it works quite well --seems people have TOO much time on their hands !!!!!. Anyway there's a lot of people keeping this old OS alive at the moment. I don't think though you'll be able to use a GPT partition if you are triple booting. XP CAN read from GPT drives but can't boot from them -- you'll probably need to disable UEFI as well which is why it's better to use a VM for this OS.

Windows XP SP4 Unofficial Download - Softpedia

Cheers
jimbo

LittleJay · 08 Dec 2014

My next project is to attempt a Windows XP install on a new partition of the Windows 8 hard drive. So far it appears to be a challenge. There must be a generic SATA driver that will work out there somewhere. My Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 SATA drivers won't work. I have slipstreamed the driver into my XP install disc but I keep getting error messages that my hard drive has a virus....it doesn't.
Any ideas?????

I have an Asus P8P67 Deluxe EFI motherboard and can boot to Windows XP installed on it's own HDD. But in order for XP to boot, I have to change the SATA configuration in BIOS from ACHI to IDE.

jimbo45 · 08 Dec 2014

LittleJay said:

I have an Asus P8P67 Deluxe EFI motherboard and can boot to Windows XP installed on it's own HDD. But in order for XP to boot, I have to change the SATA configuration in BIOS from ACHI to IDE.

Hi there

Love the sig -- but I think I'd rather be playing GOLF than fishing !!! --at least you're not going "phishing".!!!!

Actually drinking in a nice local pub while watching "footie" (Football -- round ball variety) with a load of mates seems to me the best option !!!

Have a good Xmas / Holiday season. Hope the XP works OK.

Cheers
jimbo

LittleJay · 08 Dec 2014

jimbo45 said:

Hope the XP works OK.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Jimbo.

I never said that XP is my main OS. I just said that I could boot into it using IDE mode. I have some older hardware, like an HP scanner, that will only work on XP. So rather than throwing a perfectly good scanner into the trash, I keep a copy of XP on a HDD to run when I need it.

Happy Holidays to you as well.

badrobot · 09 Dec 2014

Have you tried the Macrium Free Edition? It's the easiest way to clone an OS. You don't have to worry about the capacity of destination drive being the same or higher.