[SOLVED] Clone a 1TB HDD with no partition to an SSD

[antoinebezanill9]

Hello, currently on my rig I only have an old 1TB HDD (from 2013) that I would like to replace with a 1TB SDD I just bought.

The problem is : There is no system partition on this old crappy HDD (prebuilt PC, a youth mistake). So I guess I would just have to connect my new SSD to the MOBO, intall it, then copy the whole HDD and paste it in the new SSD, and then rename the new SSD like the old HDD.

Maybe this question is stupid but I don't want to mess everything up...

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Hello, currently on my rig I only have an old 1TB HDD (from 2013) that I would like to replace with a 1TB SDD I just bought.

The problem is : There is no system partition on this old crappy HDD (prebuilt PC, a youth mistake). So I guess I would just have to connect my new SSD to the MOBO, intall it, then copy the whole HDD and paste it in the new SSD, and then rename the new SSD like the old HDD.

Maybe this question is stupid but I don't want to mess everything up...

Thanks

More details please.

Is this the OS drive, or a secondary drive?
Which OS is this?
Desktop or laptop?
Is this the only drive in the system?

 

[antoinebezanill9]

Well I got two other ssds filled with origin games.
So the HDD is for OS (windows10 64) and a few documents and games too. Yeah... it's a mess.
It's a desktop computer.

 

[USAFRet]

Well I got two other ssds filled with origin games.
So the HDD is for OS (windows10 64) and a few documents and games too. Yeah... it's a mess.
It's a desktop computer.

OK, the OS drive.
Exactly like this:
-----------------------------
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.
-----------------------------

 

[antoinebezanill9]

I will try this on Monday, I will let you know. thanks!

 

[antoinebezanill9]

Alright, I followed the steps carefully. When it's said to reconnect and wipe the old drive... I have a BSOD.

If I only plug the new SSD and the two smaller game SSDs, everything works fine (thanks by the way!).
In the bios, everything seems fine too, boot order is fine.
Still, it looks like my computer crashes at start if the old drive is connected.

So my question is : How can I "reset" my old HDD ?

 

[USAFRet]

Alright, I followed the steps carefully. When it's said to reconnect and wipe the old drive... I have a BSOD.

If I only plug the new SSD and the two smaller game SSDs, everything works fine (thanks by the way!).
In the bios, everything seems fine too, boot order is fine.
Still, it looks like my computer crashes at start if the old drive is connected.

So my question is : How can I "reset" my old HDD ?

If connecting teh old HDD won't even allow the sysetm to boot up, there may be issues with it.

See if you can get or borrow a USB dock.
Power up the system, then connect the HDD. See what happens.

 

[antoinebezanill9]

Well now nothing works at all...

I woke up and turned the computer on. It froze after a few minutes on the desktop. Had to turn it off, and now I have a BSOD telling me it can't access a boot device.
In the BIOS no matter what I do, I can't have the new SSD to show up in boot order menu, unless it is the only one connected. And even then, BSOD.

So I said "*** I will just reinstall a clean windows 10 and screw my data", so tried to connect back the old HDD to have access to my windows licence key and GUESS WHAT... BSOD.

I'm totally lost now.

 

[karenjoly]

It appears the bios will recognize the new ssd so long as it is the sole drive connected ? But the BSOD occurs when trying to boot from it ?
Why not install windows on the ssd ? Obtain the latest files from here

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10