setting up a ssd

[user16]

I bought a Samsung 850 pro 256gb ssd to use alongside my HDD. After installing it in my desktop and using the Samsung data migration software to clone everything, I tried to start it up again. It took ages, just like before. But when I plug the HDD out of the computer it says I don't have windows installed. I know a fresh install would be best but I bought in running windows 7, so I don't have the installation disk. How can I make sure it boots up from the ssd without buying an installation disk for windows?

 

[KyleIT]

Do you have your product key and a blank disk spare?
If you have you can make an install disk from scratch.

First if all put your HDD back into the computer and boot up windows.

Then go to Control Panel > System Security > Backup and Restore > Create system repair disk (on the left side)

Then power off, remove the HDD and boot from the disk with your SSD connected then install from there.

Another option would be to simply try re-cloning the SSD, sometimes I've had to do that before.

Hope this helps, Kyle

 

[user16]

Do you have your product key and a blank disk spare?
If you have you can make an install disk from scratch.

First if all put your HDD back into the computer and boot up windows.

Then go to Control Panel > System Security > Backup and Restore > Create system repair disk (on the left side)

Then power off, remove the HDD and boot from the disk with your SSD connected then install from there.

Another option would be to simply try re-cloning the SSD, sometimes I've had to do that before.

Hope this helps, Kyle

Thanks for answering. I made the repair disk and started it up without the HDD but with the ssd. But I still get the message that it doesn't see windows.

Do I reclone the ssd by just deleting everything that's on it and using Samsung migration to install everything again?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, user16!

What software did you use to migrate/clone the drive? Was it the SSD manufacturer's utility or was it a third-party one?
I'd suggest to take a look at a couple of links that would help you with this. Make sure you've set all the settings correctly.
Maybe even starting from scratch is a good idea, so that you make sure the whole process goes smoothly this time.

http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-ssd-tweaks-for-windows-7/552.html
http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows

Keep us posted! Hope this helps!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[KyleIT]

Do you have your product key and a blank disk spare?
If you have you can make an install disk from scratch.

First if all put your HDD back into the computer and boot up windows.

Then go to Control Panel > System Security > Backup and Restore > Create system repair disk (on the left side)

Then power off, remove the HDD and boot from the disk with your SSD connected then install from there.

Another option would be to simply try re-cloning the SSD, sometimes I've had to do that before.

Hope this helps, Kyle

Thanks for answering. I made the repair disk and started it up without the HDD but with the ssd. But I still get the message that it doesn't see windows.

Do I reclone the ssd by just deleting everything that's on it and using Samsung migration to install everything again?

I think there is no boot partition on the SSD. Boot from the disk that you created and install windows onto the SSD. It would be best to unplug the HDD and just leave the SSD in to avoid confusion.

 

[user16]

Hey there, user16!

What software did you use to migrate/clone the drive? Was it the SSD manufacturer's utility or was it a third-party one?
I'd suggest to take a look at a couple of links that would help you with this. Make sure you've set all the settings correctly.
Maybe even starting from scratch is a good idea, so that you make sure the whole process goes smoothly this time.

http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-ssd-tweaks-for-windows-7/552.html
http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows

Keep us posted! Hope this helps!
SuperSoph_WD

Thank you for answering!
I tried the second link, the lifdehacker one, but I got the same result as before. When removing the hard drive and leaving the ssd in, it says that windows failed to start. I tried going in to the BIOS and selecting the ssd as 1st boot device, but it made no difference. I feel like I'm forgetting something. Any ideas?

 

[user16]

Do you have your product key and a blank disk spare?
If you have you can make an install disk from scratch.

First if all put your HDD back into the computer and boot up windows.

Then go to Control Panel > System Security > Backup and Restore > Create system repair disk (on the left side)

Then power off, remove the HDD and boot from the disk with your SSD connected then install from there.

Another option would be to simply try re-cloning the SSD, sometimes I've had to do that before.

Hope this helps, Kyle

Thanks for answering. I made the repair disk and started it up without the HDD but with the ssd. But I still get the message that it doesn't see windows.

Do I reclone the ssd by just deleting everything that's on it and using Samsung migration to install everything again?

I think there is no boot partition on the SSD. Boot from the disk that you created and install windows onto the SSD. It would be best to unplug the HDD and just leave the SSD in to avoid confusion.

Thanks for the help! I went to the BIOS and selected the cdrom (with disk) as 1st boot device. After saving and exiting it gives me the message to press any key to boot from CD. But I still get the message that windows failed to start. Any more ideas?

 

[USAFRet]

Was your installation a preinstalled OEM one? If not, and you have the license key, you can obtain the Windows 7 install media from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

Your system isn't booting properly because somehow it missed the System Reserved boot partition.

 

[KyleIT]

Do you have your product key and a blank disk spare?
If you have you can make an install disk from scratch.

First if all put your HDD back into the computer and boot up windows.

Then go to Control Panel > System Security > Backup and Restore > Create system repair disk (on the left side)

Then power off, remove the HDD and boot from the disk with your SSD connected then install from there.

Another option would be to simply try re-cloning the SSD, sometimes I've had to do that before.

Hope this helps, Kyle

Thanks for answering. I made the repair disk and started it up without the HDD but with the ssd. But I still get the message that it doesn't see windows.

Do I reclone the ssd by just deleting everything that's on it and using Samsung migration to install everything again?

I think there is no boot partition on the SSD. Boot from the disk that you created and install windows onto the SSD. It would be best to unplug the HDD and just leave the SSD in to avoid confusion.

Thanks for the help! I went to the BIOS and selected the cdrom (with disk) as 1st boot device. After saving and exiting it gives me the message to press any key to boot from CD. But I still get the message that windows failed to start. Any more ideas?

Did you press a key to boot the CD or did you not press anything?

I would perform a disk check on the HDD.

boot the computer with just the HDD and go to the command prompt by pressing "Start+R" and typing "cmd" then press enter.

then type in the command prompt *chkdsk /f* without the asterisks

This will scan the HDD and fix any problems found on it.

Then you should attempt to clone onto the SSD again.

Hope this helps, Kyle

 

[ArtPog]

1. Your present Win 7 OS installed on the HDD boots & functions without any problems whatsoever, right? So there's no problem with the "source" disk, right?

2. You haven't by any chance installed that firmware update that was released by Samsung earlier this week for the 850 Pro, have you? Because if you have, all bets are off. That update has caused myriad problems for Samsung 850 users.

3. Can we assume that when you performed the disk-cloning operation the HDD was connected to the first SATA connector designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 and the SSD connected to another appropriate SATA connector?

4. The Samsung "data-migration" software has proven to be quite reliable but stuff happens (including user error). Have you repeated the disk-cloning attempt? And you're reasonably certain you're correctly using that piece of software?

5. Anyway, if the Samsung program is still a "no-go" try a different disk-cloning program and let's see what happens. Try this Macrium Reflex Free program which is available at...
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

It's not my usual disk-cloning program (the one I use is a commercial program that costs $49.99) however I've used this Macrium program a number of times and it seemed to do the job fine as a one-shot disk-cloning program.

Some of the members of a local computer club I attend were interested in the program so I prepared these instructions as a handout for using the program:

Before opening the Macrium Reflex Free program and undertaking the disk-cloning operation close any open programs and remove or uninstall all storage devices, e.g, flash drives, other external USB devices, from the PC other than the source & destination disks that will be involved in the cloning operation. It is unnecessary to uninstall any other fixed HDD/SSDs.

The destination disk can be installed either as an internally-connected drive or as a USB external HDD/SSD.

1. With both the source & destination disks connected, boot to the source disk & open the Macrium Reflex Free program.

2. The opening window will reflect the two disks. The destination disk will be listed below the source disk. Both disks should be check-marked (default).

3. Click "Clone this disk".

4. On the next window click "Select a disk to clone to...". The destination disk should appear in the window.

5. Click on the graphic of the destination disk, then click Next.

6. The Clone Summary window will appear indicating that the source disk will be copied to the destination disk. Confirm that the correct source & destination disks have been noted.

7. Click Finish.

8. The Confirmation Overwrite window will appear requesting confirmation of the disk-cloning process. Again, ensure that the correct source & destination disks have been listed.

9. Click Continue...

10. After the destination disk is successfully cloned ensure that it is connected to the motherboard's first SATA connector which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 depending upon the motherboard's designations. I'm assuming, of course, that the cloned disk is to serve as the PC's new boot drive.

Good luck.

 

[user16]

Was your installation a preinstalled OEM one? If not, and you have the license key, you can obtain the Windows 7 install media from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

Your system isn't booting properly because somehow it missed the System Reserved boot partition.

1. Your present Win 7 OS installed on the HDD boots & functions without any problems whatsoever, right? So there's no problem with the "source" disk, right?

2. You haven't by any chance installed that firmware update that was released by Samsung earlier this week for the 850 Pro, have you? Because if you have, all bets are off. That update has caused myriad problems for Samsung 850 users.

3. Can we assume that when you performed the disk-cloning operation the HDD was connected to the first SATA connector designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 and the SSD connected to another appropriate SATA connector?

4. The Samsung "data-migration" software has proven to be quite reliable but stuff happens (including user error). Have you repeated the disk-cloning attempt? And you're reasonably certain you're correctly using that piece of software?

5. Anyway, if the Samsung program is still a "no-go" try a different disk-cloning program and let's see what happens. Try this Macrium Reflex Free program which is available at...
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

It's not my usual disk-cloning program (the one I use is a commercial program that costs $49.99) however I've used this Macrium program a number of times and it seemed to do the job fine as a one-shot disk-cloning program.

Some of the members of a local computer club I attend were interested in the program so I prepared these instructions as a handout for using the program:

Before opening the Macrium Reflex Free program and undertaking the disk-cloning operation close any open programs and remove or uninstall all storage devices, e.g, flash drives, other external USB devices, from the PC other than the source & destination disks that will be involved in the cloning operation. It is unnecessary to uninstall any other fixed HDD/SSDs.

The destination disk can be installed either as an internally-connected drive or as a USB external HDD/SSD.

1. With both the source & destination disks connected, boot to the source disk & open the Macrium Reflex Free program.

2. The opening window will reflect the two disks. The destination disk will be listed below the source disk. Both disks should be check-marked (default).

3. Click "Clone this disk".

4. On the next window click "Select a disk to clone to...". The destination disk should appear in the window.

5. Click on the graphic of the destination disk, then click Next.

6. The Clone Summary window will appear indicating that the source disk will be copied to the destination disk. Confirm that the correct source & destination disks have been noted.

7. Click Finish.

8. The Confirmation Overwrite window will appear requesting confirmation of the disk-cloning process. Again, ensure that the correct source & destination disks have been listed.

9. Click Continue...

10. After the destination disk is successfully cloned ensure that it is connected to the motherboard's first SATA connector which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 depending upon the motherboard's designations. I'm assuming, of course, that the cloned disk is to serve as the PC's new boot drive.

Good luck.

Thank you for answering!
When using macrium reflect I get two source disks, one called 'system reserved' and the other 'C'. Which one should I use?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you for answering!
When using macrium reflect I get two source disks, one called 'system reserved' and the other 'C'. Which one should I use?

You've already cloned the C partition. The one you're missing is the System Reserved partition. That contains the boot info.

 

[user16]

Thank you for answering!
When using macrium reflect I get two source disks, one called 'system reserved' and the other 'C'. Which one should I use?

You've already cloned the C partition. The one you're missing is the System Reserved partition. That contains the boot info.

When I select clone it tells me it will overwrite data from drive G:\. What does that mean, what is on that drive?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you for answering!
When using macrium reflect I get two source disks, one called 'system reserved' and the other 'C'. Which one should I use?

You've already cloned the C partition. The one you're missing is the System Reserved partition. That contains the boot info.

When I select clone it tells me it will overwrite data from drive G:\. What does that mean, what is on that drive?

Without knowing your particular drive and partition set up, no one can say.
Maybe post a screencap of your Disk Management window.

 

[ArtPog]

Was your installation a preinstalled OEM one? If not, and you have the license key, you can obtain the Windows 7 install media from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

Your system isn't booting properly because somehow it missed the System Reserved boot partition.

1. Your present Win 7 OS installed on the HDD boots & functions without any problems whatsoever, right? So there's no problem with the "source" disk, right?

2. You haven't by any chance installed that firmware update that was released by Samsung earlier this week for the 850 Pro, have you? Because if you have, all bets are off. That update has caused myriad problems for Samsung 850 users.

3. Can we assume that when you performed the disk-cloning operation the HDD was connected to the first SATA connector designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 and the SSD connected to another appropriate SATA connector?

4. The Samsung "data-migration" software has proven to be quite reliable but stuff happens (including user error). Have you repeated the disk-cloning attempt? And you're reasonably certain you're correctly using that piece of software?

5. Anyway, if the Samsung program is still a "no-go" try a different disk-cloning program and let's see what happens. Try this Macrium Reflex Free program which is available at...
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

It's not my usual disk-cloning program (the one I use is a commercial program that costs $49.99) however I've used this Macrium program a number of times and it seemed to do the job fine as a one-shot disk-cloning program.

Some of the members of a local computer club I attend were interested in the program so I prepared these instructions as a handout for using the program:

Before opening the Macrium Reflex Free program and undertaking the disk-cloning operation close any open programs and remove or uninstall all storage devices, e.g, flash drives, other external USB devices, from the PC other than the source & destination disks that will be involved in the cloning operation. It is unnecessary to uninstall any other fixed HDD/SSDs.

The destination disk can be installed either as an internally-connected drive or as a USB external HDD/SSD.

1. With both the source & destination disks connected, boot to the source disk & open the Macrium Reflex Free program.

2. The opening window will reflect the two disks. The destination disk will be listed below the source disk. Both disks should be check-marked (default).

3. Click "Clone this disk".

4. On the next window click "Select a disk to clone to...". The destination disk should appear in the window.

5. Click on the graphic of the destination disk, then click Next.

6. The Clone Summary window will appear indicating that the source disk will be copied to the destination disk. Confirm that the correct source & destination disks have been noted.

7. Click Finish.

8. The Confirmation Overwrite window will appear requesting confirmation of the disk-cloning process. Again, ensure that the correct source & destination disks have been listed.

9. Click Continue...

10. After the destination disk is successfully cloned ensure that it is connected to the motherboard's first SATA connector which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1 depending upon the motherboard's designations. I'm assuming, of course, that the cloned disk is to serve as the PC's new boot drive.

Good luck.

Thank you for answering!
When using macrium reflect I get two source disks, one called 'system reserved' and the other 'C'. Which one should I use?

 

[ArtPog]

See steps 2 & 3 of the instructions. On that opening screen both the System Reserved partition and the primary partition will be selected for cloning to the destination disk. That's the default. Note the checkmarks. Both of these partitions will be cloned over to the destination disk.

Just click "Clone this disk" and proceed as the instructions indicate. It's a pretty straightforward process. Let us know how you make out.

 

[user16]

See steps 2 & 3 of the instructions. On that opening screen both the System Reserved partition and the primary partition will be selected for cloning to the destination disk. That's the default. Note the checkmarks. Both of these partitions will be cloned over to the destination disk.

Just click "Clone this disk" and proceed as the instructions indicate. It's a pretty straightforward process. Let us know how you make out.

I did it and it worked. Thank you so much, I now have a fast computer!

 

[user16]

Thank you for answering!
When using macrium reflect I get two source disks, one called 'system reserved' and the other 'C'. Which one should I use?

You've already cloned the C partition. The one you're missing is the System Reserved partition. That contains the boot info.

When I select clone it tells me it will overwrite data from drive G:\. What does that mean, what is on that drive?

Without knowing your particular drive and partition set up, no one can say.
Maybe post a screencap of your Disk Management window.

I decided to just overwrite it and up to now it works, thank you for helping!