[SOLVED] Can i boot from copied C: drive?

[gullidotwog]

Sry if this is a nooby question, but I am rly not sure about this. I have a 128Gb SSD as the C:/ drive for my machine...

If I were to simply copy all the data (including all normally hidden system files) from that drive over to a completely clean 256Gb SSD and then remove the 128Gb SSD and plug the 256Gb SSD in it's place, would the PC be able to boot from the new drive?

I am not sure how the boot drive is identified by the bios, whether it simply recognizes it like a bootable USB or whether the disk is identified in some way copying would not reproduce.

Thanks!!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

What SSD's are they , make and model?

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
Macrium Reflect FREE 7

 

[bignastyid]

If I were to simply copy all the data (including all normally hidden system files) from that drive over to a completely clean 256Gb SSD and then remove the 128Gb SSD and plug the 256Gb SSD in it's place, would the PC be able to boot from the new drive?

No, you need to use an imaging program like Acronis, Macrium or EaseUS.

 

[gullidotwog]

What SSD's are they , make and model?

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
Macrium Reflect FREE 7

I'd have to check which I cannot do right now, will look tomorrow... the 128 is an old Crucial MX, the other one is a lot newer and if I remember correct is a Scandisk

If I were to simply copy all the data (including all normally hidden system files) from that drive over to a completely clean 256Gb SSD and then remove the 128Gb SSD and plug the 256Gb SSD in it's place, would the PC be able to boot from the new drive?

No, you need to use an imaging program like Acronis, Macrium or EaseUS.

Tbh I thought there would be more too it... I can create an image of the install and then "burn" that image to any other HDD? As I would also like to keep a backup of an install on another machine (the one I am getting the 256 SSD from)

Are there any good free imaging programs about now? In the past almost all imaging software you had to pay a premium for.

Thanks for the answers guys.

 

[USAFRet]

-----------------------------
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

 

[USAFRet]

For actual backups, read here for my procedure and others:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3383768/backup-situation-home.html

 

[gullidotwog]

-----------------------------
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

Fantaistic. Thanks for the detailed explanation... all seems very clear. Perfect. Thanks again for taking the time.