Transfering windows 7 and data on C: drive from HDD to SSD

[kbassi88]

so i did a little research, and from my knowledge you can't simply transfer over a copy of an OS to a new (parimary) to an SSD due to partition alignment being off and screwing stuff up

however, i found this:

Use Windows 7's built in System Image tool and create a backup of your Windows 7 install to an external hard disk. Install new new hard drive (69 GB), boot from your Windows 7 DVD and choose to restore a system image and point to the location where the System Image is backed up. To do this procedure successfully, you will need an external backup drive to back up the installation.

can that work?

 

[Saga Lout]

Cloning is the only option - I use Acronis True Image but there are free utilities available if you Google for them. In your circumstances, I suggest you take the clone before installing a SSD if you can find a way to connect it externally, and remove the existing hard disk before installing the SSD with the new system on it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Here ya go:

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/147025-upgrading-ssd-windows-image-backup.html

However, I'd consider keeping the OS install on the HD and using it as an alternate boot in case your OS gets fudged. Just unplug the hD while doing the install to SSD ... SSD on SATA 1, HD on SATA 2 when reconnecting after install

You will wanna do this too

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

 

[improviz]

I have done several "bare metal restores" by cloning my C drive with ShadowProtect, a backup solution from Storage Craft. Worked better than Ghost or anything else I tried. Attached the SSD as the D or other drive. Run ShadowProtect Drive Cloning routine and clone entire C drive to your SSD.

Remove C drive, install SSD in C drive position. Boot from the ShadowProtect program CD. That's it. Drivers, MBR, Windows, everything. I've done this 4 times over the last 2 years for various machines and it's worked like a charm every time. ShadowProtect is a good program. Not cheap, but a good program.