Drive cloning software

[StarBound]

Ok my SSD has arrived today and I am eager to move my system over to that drive. Currently my hdd is split into 2 partitions. A 200gb for windows 7 and a 100gb for windows xp. The windows 7 partition is only 120gb used so their should be enough space on the ssd for the entire partition.

Can anyone recommend a drive cloning app that will transfer everything and make so my ssd is bootable?

[Monty]

your ssd is probably going to be 118gb in size (usable space). a fresh install would probably be best - faster, less cluttered etc.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

First off - you might run into an issue with your boot loader, so make sure you sort that out first.

As for the software - I, personally, am an Acronis True Image kind of guy, but it's not free. It's $50.

I heard about an app by "EaseUS" a few days ago though, and Leo Leporte totally recommended it. It's free and seems to do the job. Click click

[ryanrich]

+1 for True Image. Great software.

[StarBound]

Ok mind helping me sort out the boot loader now or do you need to actually see what it says on the boot screen? I only have 2 options. 1st the older one and 2nd is windows 7 (by default selected).

[StarBound]

Is it possible for me to run Windows backup and then use that backup to install and recover all my data from a disc? Eg I dont have to use a partitioning/cloning program? I just run the recovery and it restores everything onto my ssd?

[StarBound]

Figured this is interesting and might answer my question. So posting it here for everyone. Its a link to another forum.

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=468233

[DarkStar]

Okay, this is a long shot, but I've had to do something similar in the past.

Copy all the files on the Windows drive you want to clone to a seperate and safe place.

Install a fresh copy of Windows on the SSD (Make sure it's the same version as the one you're cloning).

Boot into a different OS, then copy those files over the fresh install.

With luck, it won't notice anything. (You might have to reactivate).
I did it once and it worked. I can't vouch for how safe it is, though.

[StarBound]

Problem still remains that I will need to clone the drive. New problem now is that windows xp doesnt want to boot. So everything I do will now be dependant on windows 7. This is getting even worse. And windows backup is useless. It wants 200mb to backup a drive content of 120gb. Seems like I will need to do repartitioning and get another clone program.

This is seriously becoming a hassle and I cant afford to loose all my reg keys and other saved data.

[DarkStar]

Try get yourself an Ubuntu Live CD if you need to copy files?

[StarBound]

Ok I got partition magic from EASU or w/e it is. Resized the windows 7 partition to smaller than the SSD size then cloned the partition to the max size. Now all I need is the boot loader to be corrected. I take that for it to work I need a boot.ini file on the ssd. So any ideas how to create that?

[ADV4NCED]

Make it easy on yourself and do proper backups of your data, and if needed a backup of your registry. Then re-install your operating systems as needed. If you still want XP, install it first on your first partition, then install Windows 7 on the second partition.

I've had trouble in the past by installing Vista then XP (with the bootloader) - and I havent dual booted Win 7 with XP so thats why I'd advise to just to do XP first.

What reg keys are you so worried about losing in anycase?

[StarBound]

I have cloned my windows 7 partition. All I need to do now is make so it boots.

[DarkStar]

Try EasyBCD

http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

[StarBound]

Thats my last hope before a format. Worst case is that it doesnt work. Let's try it then prepare for a huge backup session.

[DarkStar]

Thats my last hope before a format. Worst case is that it doesnt work. Let's try it then prepare for a huge backup session.

Fiddle around with it. The options to install a bootloader are definitely there.

I used it to restore my bootloader when I installed XP once (which was installed after 7, so I needed this to reinstall the bootloader).

I'm sure it will work

[Sojourn]

Listen now, and listen well.
Backup whatever you need backed up.
Fresh install your OS, then load software etc from scratch - then, experience the same as looking at kittens playing and puppies sleeping.
The long road is often the faster road.

[StarBound]

I screwed up

So after a complete reinstall, re-updating and finding all my lost files I am almost back online. Now to get steam and my other games working.

...and never try this again.

[ADV4NCED]

Why you never just listened in the beginning is beyond us all

[StarBound]

Because I like to believe there are easier ways of doing things

[octall]

I used to use ghost, but don't know if it is still available, old program. We use it on NT and 2000.