Need Help to Migrate OS to SSD

stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 13:37
Last edited 25/09/2014 - 14:28

Guys,

Recently bought a 250GB Samsung EVO SSD and have cloned all the files in my HDD to the SSD. Reason is my 1.5 years old Toshiba Satellite P870 have been very slow to boot up, takes up to 15 minutes from press start to me being able to do any work, like outlook or web surfing.

Laptop is using Windows 7 OS but does not come with any disk, I need to move the OS to SSD to speed up the start up but really don't know how to do it properly, google extensively but still can't find an answer. Of course I am not really good at computing, only knows how to use.

Any experts here can help pls. Thanks.

Edit: Just get a quote from a local computer guy, wants $350 to do it, my laptop maybe worth about that now. Thinks it is too expensive.

Computing

Comments

  • DRIFT2EZ on 25/09/2014 - 14:10
    +5

    It's recommended that you re-install the OS entirely and start fresh.

    Though, if you wish to just clone the OS to the SSD and do that then I'd recommend Acronis. While it is paid software, it makes the entire process really simple. Beneficial, since you've expressed that you're not overly tech-literate.

    • stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 14:23

      I have clone the whole HDD to SSD, not sure how to reinstall the OS as I can't seem to find it anywhere. There is no OS disk when I bought it. In the SSD, there is a folder says Windows and it have a lot of subfolders and I suspect the OS is in there somewhere, I just don't know which one.

      • scrimshaw on 25/09/2014 - 14:35
        +4

        It isn't in there, there is a hidden partition which contains the recovery files and that is what is used to install windows.

        Can you burn a disc using the built in software to make your own Windows installation DVD?

        And your local computer guy charges like a bull, $350 for data migration to an SSD is ridiculous.

  • md491 on 25/09/2014 - 14:12
    +1

    You can use the samsung migration software for free

    http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisit…

    • stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 14:29

      Have already migrated and clone the data using the disk that comes with the SSD. Just wants the laptop to boot up from SSD instead of HDD.

    • pjetson on 25/09/2014 - 21:00

      +1 for this - the Samsung software makes it a piece of cake.

    • minty on 25/09/2014 - 14:41
      +13

      Windows 7 is a flop? You must've been born post 2009.

  • md491 on 25/09/2014 - 14:23
    +1

    This free tool will work with any Brand SSD migration

    http://download.cnet.com/MiniTool-Partition-Wizard-Home-Edit…

  • scrimshaw on 25/09/2014 - 14:32
    +12

    Free for 2 hours left - Paragon Disk copy 14
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/162728

    Here's a different alternative — a fresh install.

    Find or create a bootable media for Win 7. Download an ISO from one of these official Microsoft digital distribution sites.

    64 bit Home Premium
    32 bit Home Premium
    64 bit Professional
    32 bit Professional
    64 bit Ultimate
    32 bit Ultimate

    Grab the ISO — you must download the correct version that corresponds to your laptop's license (it's printed on a sticker underneath your lappy) and then burn that to a disk or make a bootable USB drive using this software

    Once you have that, you will need to have either have these pieces of hardware.

    a HDD dock, OR a HDD 2.5" enclosure. it doesn't matter whether it's USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface. You just need one.
    OR one of these cables

    Remove the HDD from laptop, and attach the HDD to the enclosure or cable.
    Install the SSD into the laptop. Go to the BIOS and change the HDD mode from Legacy IDE to AHCI.
    Now install Windows using bootable media you created from ISO.
    Then explore contents of your SSD and copy files over from the C:\Users\YOURNAME directory.

    Do not copy programs and do not copy anything from the C:\Users\YOURNAME\appdata folder.

    This option is recommended if you wish to have your SSD performing as smoothly as possible. It also means you will have zero bloatware and generic drivers installed, At this stage you will need to hunt for the latest drivers from Toshiba and get around to reinstalling programs again.

    option 2
    Attach SSD to laptop using enclosure or cable
    Use Samsung Migration software to Migrate Data to SSD
    Remove HDD from laptop and replace with SSD.

    Once this is completed, you must optimize windows for SSD usage. Make sure that
    in the BIOS - AHCI mode is enabled
    TRIM is configured and enabled — using an commandline in Administrator mode,

    fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0

    Disable Defragmentation (by default, Windows will defrag drives on a schedule) you don't want any defragging happening on an SSD, it wears it out.

    • stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 15:24

      Thanks, will try this out tonight.

      • scrimshaw on 25/09/2014 - 15:51

        Since your laptop has 2 drive bays you won't need the HDD dock or cable, but remember to set the boot priority to the correct drive (i.e. the SSD) once you have finished cloning or installing Win 7. Otherwise you might end up with the same error or end up booting on the old slow HDD.

        If you decide to clone the HDD, remember to include all partitions, there may be a active partition that contains the bootmgr. This needs to be there otherwise you will get the 'bootmgr nor found' error.

  • md491 on 25/09/2014 - 14:53
    +1

    Do you still have the original HDD from the laptop still with the OS on it?

    • stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 15:20

      Yes, this laptop can take 2 hard disk, I have the HDD and SSD installed in the laptop concurrently.

      • md491 on 25/09/2014 - 15:47
        +1

        The quickest way is to clone the HDD over to the SSD and set it as the boot drive in your BIOS or Setup menu after cloning / migration has finished, you can access the BIOS menu by pressing F12 before the OS splash screen launches.

      • scrimshaw on 25/09/2014 - 15:48
        -2

        You will have boot issues if you have both SSD and HDD installed at the same time, as they both contain Windows.

        • zerocritical on 26/09/2014 - 08:11
          +2

          No. One device takes priority over other as set in BIOS.

  • ilostnemo on 25/09/2014 - 15:15

    stargalaxy, I purchased Acronis, and it was very easy.

    I spent $40 on a dock (Sata) from officeworks.

    I connected the dock to the computer then inserted the ssd

    I ran Acronis and chose clone., selected source and destination.

    20 minutes later I removed hard drive and replaced with SSD.

    Easy As.

    • stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 15:22

      Actually it have been cloned totally as Samsung provided a disk. I actually removed the HDD and leave only the SSD but upon restart, problem because it can't find the OS.

      • md491 on 25/09/2014 - 15:57

        You can use the F8 option in Step 1b below - Try Repairing The Windows 7 Installation

        1a. Insert the Windows 7 DVD or repair disk and restart your computer. Boot from the DVD, press a key if prompted.
        1b. Or if you don’t have disks press F8 instead repeatedly at boot and choose "Repair your computer" then go to step 4.
        2. Choose your language and click Next.
        3. Click Repair Your Computer and then select the operating system you want to repair.
        4. Click on the Startup Repair link from list of recovery tools in System Recovery Options.

        • stargalaxy on 25/09/2014 - 17:03

          Try this, nothing happens. Although the whole of C Drive (HDD), about 160GB have been cloned to the F Drive (SSD), I suspect the OS have not been migrated or cloned to the SSD as it ask me to instal the OS again when I select SSD as the drive to boot. There is a new E drive that is not there before with about 1GB space that have only 1 folder name Boot, not sure what it is for. Have message telling me this E drive space is max out and ask me to free up but there is nothing to free up when I follow the instructions.

          Where do I find the OS usually? IS it in my computer?

        • scrimshaw on 25/09/2014 - 19:24

          The OS is installed, but the problem is that your cloning software has messed up the partition properties. I will explain why.

          There were two (actually three, if you count the recovery partition) that existed in your old HDD.

          The first is the system partition, the primary partition that contains the boot loader, a piece of software responsible for booting the OS.

          The second is the boot partition which is the disk partition that contains the operating system folder, known as system root.

          The System partition right now exists as disk E, that's where the bootloader exists, but E:\ drive is usually hidden. You're not meant to see this partition as it's a system reserved portion of the disk, since this partition is meant to be nameless (no identifier) and it's what allows your computer to boot into Windows. So don't touch anything in there!

          further explanation on what this system partition thingy is.

          Now it's visible because somehow the Samsung software gave it a drive letter and an identifier. It must be set with an active, hidden and boot flag, and it right now most likely isn't. You can fix this issue by simply reinstalling Windows. If you are savvy enough you can use G-Parted and tinker with the flags to rectify the problem. http://gparted.org/display-doc.php?name=help-manual#gparted-…

  • daalinz on 25/09/2014 - 15:33

    I would use a linux boot disc and a partition tool like gparted or fdisk to alter the size of your current HDD to match the size of the SSD (if HDD > SSD and your disk usage is not spread) and use linux dd command to copy the partitions from one device to the next. Make SSD bootable. Change boot sequence and bring it up and see if it works. If so, rerun the partition tool to resize your SSD to the maximum disk size.

    Don't try this if you are not confident with linux or partition tools

  • Soundwave on 26/09/2014 - 08:10

    To me, it sounds like it hasn't cloned properly. You want to clone all partitions as one would be for recovery just incase anything happens.

    Do you have a lot of software or data on the HDD that you need that you can't copy or reinstall? Because I would recommend what scrimshaw said and start fresh.

    Download the Windows 7 ISO file that matches yours - Start - Computer - System Properties (to find out)

    Then download Belarc. It's a free program that scans your computer and gives you your licence key for software. Which you want your product key for Windows 7 and any other paid software.

    Make a bootable CD/DVD or USB stick and do a fresh install on SSD.

    You will no longer have Toshiba bloatware etc, but you will have to reinstall drivers as mentioned before and software. Also copy all your data back like photos, music etc.

    But yeah, try using a different cloning software first.

  • CheapandUsed on 26/09/2014 - 11:46

    I have this model laptop (17" dual hdd) and upgraded it with an SSD, the improvement is amazing!!
    Starts up in under 10sec and usable as soon as I enter my password :)

    Plenty of good advice above but I moved mine to WIN 8.1 and will never downgrade to 7.

    • stargalaxy on 26/09/2014 - 12:01

      Do you means you just bought another WIndows licence and install it? How much does it cost?

      Mine one is currently on Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 bit, Intel i73610QM, can I just buy Windows 8 and installed it? What happens to the existing WIndows 7 OS?

  • hts on 26/09/2014 - 13:12

    Ask your local PC shop for a copy of Windows 7 (which ever version you are currently running) most places will just burn you a copy for a few $$ if not free. Unsure of the legality but as you own a product key (on the base of your laptop I'd imagine) having a burnt copy of Windows 7 shouldn't be an issue.

  • Warface on 26/09/2014 - 20:27

    Use the Samsung migration software, its easy as taking a s*%$#

  • tomwood on 27/09/2014 - 07:43

    Samsung Data Migration doesn't migrate boot-function unfortunately, just 'other' data…

    • Warface on 28/09/2014 - 11:40

      Thats wierd, mine did and exact image upgrading from a 120gb ssd to a 240gb ssd

      • tomwood on 29/09/2014 - 08:03

        were you running the operating system from the source disk while it transferred?

  • surm on 27/09/2014 - 09:50

    stargalaxy,

    http://blog.laptopmag.com/triple-your-speed-how-to-install-a…

    Use 'Macrium Reflect' free edition to re-image your HDD to SSD. You have to image the drive (not just one partition). After that, you have to set the SSD as the boot drive. Then some further work to assign 'Drive C' to SSD. The above link has detailed steps.

    • stargalaxy on 27/09/2014 - 14:04

      Thanks surm, will try out these method.

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