HDD has errors, want to install SSD

[Thruzek]

My present HDD has errors in the registry. (Laptop) I want install an SSD to take the place of the old HDD. Can I install the SSD using the Win 7 backup disk I made?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Yes, if the backup disc is a full backup of the Windows installation, and the SSD has high enough capacity to accommodate it.

 

[Thruzek]

SO what would be the procedure? DO I pull the HDD, install the SSD and them insert the backup disk in the CD drive??

 

[Thruzek]

The backup was made just after I did a new install. It was made using the windows backup tool. Is this sufficient?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Yes, the system image disc you made with Windows Backup should do the job, but you don't boot from that disc 'cos it's not bootable.

You have to boot from the "System repair disc" and when the menu appears, choose "System Image Recovery".
Then swap the disc for the one that's got the system image on it.

"System repair disc" menu shown here, plus how to make one if you haven't already done so:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/what-are-system-recovery-options#what-are-system-recovery-options=windows-7

You must make a "System repair" disc if you use Windows Backup to create a system image. Otherwise you won't be able to access your system image when you need to. That's why the links to do both are shown together on the left in the main Backup & Restore window.

Do bear in mind that the system image that Windows Backup creates only contains a backup of the partitions that are required for Windows to boot and run (ie the Windows partition (obviously), plus the "System Reserved" partition if it exists as that contains the Boot Manager.

So if there were any other partitions on the hard drive when you made the backup image, they will not have been included.