Good OS to SSD cloning program? Please help!

[captain_Woof]

Hello everybody!

So I have my Asus G75VX with Windows 8.1 and I have bought an SSD with it (OCZ Vector 256gb) and I need a good cloning program that can clone my OS from my 750gb hdd to the ssd. And I cant reinstall windows on it (I've got my reasons... don't ask why). So far...

-The program that OCZ gave me didn't want to work, because the code they gave me to activate it didn't work.
-When I tried EaseUS Todo Backup to Clone the HDD to the SSD, it says the free version does not support cloning (at least with the optimize for SSD tickbox enabled).
-The Partition Master from EaseUS says the destination file is too small.
-And Clonezilla has a million downloads and the one for me (UEFI safe boot enabled), which required me to do the AMD download doesn't seem to work either. Just a Zip folder with many subfolders and running any of the programs within briefly opens the command prompt and then closes it.

I managed to clone my OS to the SSD with Todo Backup, but without it being optimized for the SSD. That required payment. Will this be an issue? If so... any more possibilities?

Please help and thank you if you do!

 

[USAFRet]

Several issues:
- 750gb hdd to OCZ Vector 256gb
- because the code they gave me to activate it didn't work
- And I cant reinstall windows on it (I've got my reasons... don't ask why)

Yes, I will ask why...

 

[snowctrl]

Start by reducin yo 750Gb drive down to a fair bit less than t 250Gb of yo SSD - understand disc cloning software will exactly copy EVERYTHING on your drive, not just the OS?

Oh, n if yo runnin cracked software, SORT IT OUT

 

[captain_Woof]

I have got no cracked software installed and the HDD has got only about 120gb of data on it (moslty from 3 games), so that part is fine. I believe the code for the software of OCZ might be region-specific, similar to steam games, and I bought the SSD in Singapore, but installed it and live in the Netherlands. And the reason why I dont want to reinstall windows/cant do it is because I have no CD's at home to burn data to, no other external HDD's, I dont have a product key to Windows 8, as it was installed OEM (This might or might not be an issue), don't have the original CD's (lost while moving homes) and I live in the country side, so any trips to the nearest electronics shop is expensive and rare.

As of cloning the (whole) HDD to the SSD using EaseUS Todo Backup without the SSD optimisations, it resized it to fit the SSD, making the partitions smaller (Yay!), but when booting from it, it is just as slow as the HDD and explorer.exe keeps crashing in a loop, as if its not even the SSD, though everything points to the OS being booted as it should from the SSD. So that wasn't a good solution. 🙁

P.S: I have cloned windows 8 (not 8.1) to an SSD successfully before and to this day that computer of a friend is working fine. But I cannot remember what programs I used and how the programs changed! So I would like to know a different program that might work. Any ideas?

 

[Y0GI]

So I would like to know a different program that might work. Any ideas?

Two: Clonezilla and Acronis True Image. ATI is the best but you'll have to buy it.

Yogi

 

[snowctrl]

Just a thought - I've run full antivirus and anti malware wit something decent like Bitdefender and Malwarebytes, and run a Check Disk before u clone...?

 

[captain_Woof]

Yes, I actually do have Bitfender installed and scan it regularly. No issues with that. And I have done several disk checks, defragmentation, optimisation and done SFC /Scannow as well... no good luck still. Also, all updates are up to date.

I tried to install the trial of Arconis True Image, but sadly it doesn't allow cloning of drives in trial mode. But I also found this program: Apricorn EZ Gig Cloning Software that can clone Bootable OS's to a smaller SSD. However, it doesn't want to detect my SSD. And for clonezilla, it requires a bootable USB or a CD, which I sadly dont have access to at the moment. Is it possible to run an ISO file virtually from Windows 8 as a boot file? I'm guessing no. 🙁
I'm running out of ideas! I'm guessing no-one has a work-around for the "need to pay to tick optimize for SSD" issue I'm having with EaseUS Todo and Partition Master?

I do appreciate all the help by the way!

 

[captain_Woof]

Just found something strange!
EaseUs Todo Backup, when run as administrator and setting the whole SSD as one large empty partition and ticking the box "Shut down automatically after complete" now suddenly allows cloning with optimization for the SSD. Strange... very strange... Will report back with the result after it finished cloning. By the way, should I disconnect my HDD if I want to boot from the SSD? It's a bit of a haggle to disconnect it and then reconnect it in a laptop.

 

[Y0GI]

Is it possible to run an ISO file virtually from Windows 8 as a boot file? I'm guessing no. 🙁

An .ISO file is just an image file which tells an appropriate burning utility what files to burn to a storage medium, such as CD/DVD or USB flash drive. An .ISO file is a non-executable file and as such, has no capability to run within an OS, like Win 8.

Yogi

 

[captain_Woof]

Hello!
The cloning went successfully, but when I tried to boot from it, is said "setting up windows" and then booted to a black screen with cursor. ctrl-alt-del was the only thing that worked and from that, the task manager could not be started, neither anything else. Then I shutdown and changed the boot order back to the HDD and it booted as normal, but also with the black screen and cursor. Fortunately, all shortcuts and key combos worked and through task manager managed to start EaseUS partition master to whipe the SSD. Sadly, afterwards, the issue persists. And unlike the online solutions, updating the graphics driver didn't work. Congrats to me for messing up my laptop. -_-
I tried SFC /Scannow and it said there were errors that needed fixing, but was unable to do it. But CHKDSK didn't find any problems, neither did OS:C-Properties-Error Checking.
But everything works, except the desktop and explorer.exe (tried to force start it, but not successfully). So now... I guess the only 'real' option would be a clean install? I unfortunately don't have the recovery disk. 🙁

 

[Y0GI]

First, D/L and install "Belarc Advisor", run BA and let it find your Win 8 product key for you. Write it down.

Next, go here for instructions on how to D/L a legal Win 8 .ISO that you can use to do a clean install: http://www.redmondpie.com/download-windows-8-iso-x86-x64-file-directly-from-microsoft/
Burn the .ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive and use it to install Win 8.

Yogi

 

[captain_Woof]

I was actually looking at that as you spoke. Using that program, it detected my Windows key to be for windows 8.1, but I bought it with windows 8.0 preinstalled. This is probably because I updated through the store, but did it change my key in the process? I guess I will just try both installers for windows and see which one works. First up is 8.0. Will update on results later! Thanks!

 

[captain_Woof]

Sadly, after trying both W8 and 8.1 installers, it says "this product key cannot be used to install a retail version of windows 8/8.1". I didn't get an error of "This product key didnt work. Please try again" which I would have if I misspelled it.
From Belarc, it is under "Software Liscense" at "Microsoft Windows 8.1 (x64)" --> [4 codes]-AAOEM (Key: THIS HERE) right?

After more researching, if you had a windows 8.0 key but upgraded to 8.1, you need to use the "generic key", which in my case (8.0 core/home 64bit) is 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT. However, when putting this into the 8.1 installer, after accepting the code, I get "We cant connect at the moment" and after more researching, this leads to something being wrong with the code. I'm a bit confused here... 🙁

Please tell me there is a solution! If all else fails, I might need to revert to a hacked windows 8!

 

[Y0GI]

Sadly, after trying both W8 and 8.1 installers, it says "this product key cannot be used to install a retail version of windows 8/8.1". I didn't get an error of "This product key didnt work. Please try again" which I would have if I misspelled it.
From Belarc, it is under "Software Liscense" at "Microsoft Windows 8.1 (x64)" --> [4 codes]-AAOEM (Key: THIS HERE) right?

Right.

After more researching, if you had a windows 8.0 key but upgraded to 8.1, you need to use the "generic key", which in my case (8.0 core/home 64bit) is 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT. However, when putting this into the 8.1 installer, after accepting the code, I get "We cant connect at the moment" and after more researching, this leads to something being wrong with the code. I'm a bit confused here... 🙁

Sounds like a busy MS server, but I've never seen that b4. How many times did you try the code? Have you tried again?

Please tell me there is a solution! If all else fails, I might need to revert to a hacked windows 8!

No, don't go the hack route! You'll just be opening up your system to all sorts of malware!

I would try the "generic key" again.

Yogi

 

[captain_Woof]

I tried the code several times, but still no success! Several sources say that the generic code is only for once you have downloaded the installer. Others say this is ridiculous (me too!). The code only works after its downloaded and being installed, but you need the code to download. *Sarcastic claps*
As an add on, I found this and think it might be the solution. But now comes another question: How do I download this:

Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English)
Release Date: 4/2/2014
File Name: en_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4065090.iso
File Size: 3924 MB
SHA1: 4652DC6EBFEBE02C6A63E167C36E3FAEDFB93999

Its not a link to a torrent, nor a direct download. I got U-Torrent if that helps.
Found this, but sadly the direct download (64 bit core, USA) doesn't work. File removed! 🙁
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/53659-Windows-8-1-Update-1-ISO-Collection-Downloads!!!

I do really appreciate the help you're giving! Thank you again!

 

[Y0GI]

I don't know and I'm not going to click that link.

Sorry -

Yogi

 

[USAFRet]

OK, backing up to the beginning:

1. You have a new SSD and you want to put the OS on it

2. You want to clone from your existing 750GB drive to the new 256GB SSD
That will not work for obvious reasons

3. You can't reinstall "(I've got my reasons... don't ask why)"
Again...yes, I will ask why...

4. Whatever cloning thing you've tried does not work, or ends up with suboptimal results.
Yes, that often happens.

With Win 8, there is no direct download of an ISO as there is with Win 7.
Whatever retail download you might find (MyDigitalLife, etc) will not work with an OEM license.

Solution?
Either pay for whatever extra price clone thing that actually works
or
Try a different clone thing. CloneZilla, perhaps.
or
Buy a new OS license and install

 

[captain_Woof]

At this point I've scrapped the "No reinstall rule", but there still doesn't seem to be a solution without my original disk that came with my laptop (lost it while moving), and getting the Windows 8 ISO and making it work with my OEM wndows installed laptop seems impossible.
Sadly, I think you might be right. 🙁
Thanks anyway for all the help!

 

[USAFRet]

You can probably obtain a recovery install from the manufacturer. Will probably cost a few $$.
But it may not work with a different drive. Ask them, and get confirmation in writing that it will work with a different drive.

And it will also install all the original crapware the PC came with.

 

[captain_Woof]

Probably the best thing I can do at the moment. Thanks.

 

[captain_Woof]

I ended up buying Arconis True Image and used that program to clone the OS on the HDD to the SSD. Worked without a hitch and afterwards all I had to do is change the boot order! 14 second boot time and blazing fast! 😀