Question Cloned Win 10 SSD Won't Boot - Ouch.

[SenorClarky]

I upgraded my System SSD from 250gb to 1TB. I used Macrium Reflect and asked for the entire disk to be Cloned. It completed and looked fine.

I did not unplug the existing SSD but changed the boot priority and re-booted. All seemed fine. Alas, what was happening was that it was trying the Clone and then reverting to the original C: drive.

I had a 235gb partition on my new 1tb SSD. I extended it.

Now for the ouchy bit...

I then deleted the Partitions from C to remove Windows.

On Re-booting the system just hung.

I then alas re-installed Windows 10 on C to allow access. (i.e. I won't be recovering those partitions now...)

I am wondering if or how I can make the Clone bootable? I tried running the Windows 10 USB but to no avail.

Disk 2 is New Windows
Disk 5 is the 1tb SSD Clone

I tried bootrec from the USB Windows 10 Repair Options.

/FixBoot - gets 'Access Denied'
/RebuildBcd - Finds Windows on the Clone but when I 'Add installation to boot list' I get ' The requested system device cannot be found.

 

[SenorClarky]

SOLVED. I had to use the bcdboot H:\Windows (*H being the new cloned drive). It came up with a 'successful' message. When I restarted I was given the Option of 2 different Windows 10 installations. I naturally chose the wrong one first but on my second go my 1tb Clone booted to Windows and everything was fixed.

Thank &%^*!

 

[SkyNetRising]

You have messed up bootloader config there. Generally bootloader should be on a separate partition than windows partition.
Make partition J: active and move bootloader to it.

bcdboot H:\windows /s J:​

 

[popatim]

It's fine, this is the same thing that happens if you pre-partition your drive before installing windows.

 

[USAFRet]

For future refernce:

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Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
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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 all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
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