Tech: Moving to a new disk

Subject: Tech: Moving to a new disk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jun 14 - 05:34 PM

I am considering an SSD for my Windows 7 OS and retaining my existing disk for data and progs. Existing disk is a 1TB around 50% used as I did not consider partitioning it initially. About half the usage is in \users but the rest is OS and progs.

Here is the issue. The SSD I am considering is only 128Gb. Plenty big enough for the OS but not big enough to do a strait copy. I know I have at least 2 options. 1 - Install from scratch and re-install my programs. 2. Use a partition manager to try and retro-fit the OS to a partition that I can copy easily. Other options I have looked at are editing the registry after a fresh install, but that seems to be very long winded or using some sort of recovery program but I cannot see one that would let me recover onto a smaller partition.

Anyone done this already? Or got any other recommendations? Or any advice? Even if it is just don't do it!

Oh yes - I am a UNIX specialist so Linux was my first thought but as Mrs G like windows I don't think I can afford the loss of brownie points :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech: Moving to a new disk
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jun 14 - 06:32 PM

I'm eager to hear an answer on this. It's a job I've been afraid to tackle. I guess I'd use Windows Easy Transfer to back up all my files and settings to an external hard drive. Then I don't know what I'd do, short of reinstalling all my software.
Must be an easy way.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Moving to a new disk
From: treewind
Date: 05 Jun 14 - 06:38 PM

I have my doubts about a straight copy actually working for Windows, so re-installation is likely to be your only option.

An SSD for your system, programs and swap file with conventional HD for all your data is a very good combination. Fast boot and all your applications load quickly, and not too much write wear on your SSD, if you worry about that sort of thing.

Also you could dual boot Windows and Linux. One of my home systems ha an SSD partitioned with Windows C: on /dev/sda1 and Linux '/' on /dev/sda5, and a HD partitioned with Windows D: on one half and /home on the other half.

That's definitely a re-install, and you need to install Windows first, then your Linux installer will put the Windows system on its grub menu.

Oh, and somewhere to backup all your data while you're doing it...

Subject: RE: Tech: Moving to a new disk
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jun 14 - 08:33 PM

If you do DOS, there is a free program called xxcopy that will do a total copy of a disk.

There is also something called Macrium Reflect that is supposed to do the same.

*I* have not actually used either, but they both come highly recommended by the alt.comp.freeware usenet group.

Subject: RE: Tech: Moving to a new disk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jun 14 - 03:05 AM

Backup is not an issue as I have both a 1TB external USB disk and a 1TB NAS device. I do full system backups and incremental data backups using Arcsoft. I have tested recovery and it works. I have used dual boot on both different Windows installations and combinations of Windows and Linux. Trouble with it used to be boot times but as I am thinking of an SSD that may go away - I will ponder on that :-)

I don't think xxcopy or the other will work, Bill, as the destination disk is a lot smaller, but if you know of a way of achieving it I would certainly investigate.

I will also investigate Windows Easy Transfer. Thanks Joe. It is not quite the same situation, as it is not a new PC, but it could be flexible enough to do it. I will keep you posted but I will not be ordering the disk for a week or two.

Cheers all

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech: Moving to a new disk
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jun 14 - 01:55 PM

The beauty of the SSD is the extremely fast start, so putting the operating system on it is the best use of a hybrid system that has SSD and traditional disks.

SRS