Windows 10 unbootable after cloning to NVME M.2

[hdeal2000]

I recently cloned my windows 10 installation from a Samsung 850 Evo sata SSD to a 970 Evo NVME M.2 SSD. Both are 250 gb. After cloning, the 970 would not boot. I forget the error code, but it said INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE. I then tried the 850, which booted fine. I decided to give the 970 a second try, and it again failed, but this time with error 0xc000000e. Now the 850 gives the same error. I have tried repairing both with a win 10 installation USB, but all recovery attempts fail because it refuses to recognizes any windows installs other than the one on the USB. I have contacted Microsoft twice, and both times they told me to just do a fresh install. All the files should be in place and intact, and I can't figure out why recovery fails. Are there any other options to repair and boot either drive?

UPDATE: I was able to boot back into the old SSD by using a USB stick loaded with the win 10 installation media and running bcdboot.exe E:\Windows /s C:

 

[Supahos]

Have you tried booting with only the m2 drive installed? Also is your bios up to date?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Best to BACKUP and then clean install Windows 10 to a NVME WHEN IT'S THE ONLY DRIVE ATTACHED TO THE SYSTEM. The clone doesn't work because there is no driver in place for the Windows to identify the NVME as bootable.

 

[captaincharisma]

best thing to do is disconnect all drives leaving only the NVME drive connected and do a clean install of windows. later you can reconnect your old drive and get any files off it

 

[hdeal2000]

Have you tried booting with only the m2 drive installed? Also is your bios up to date?

I have tried booting and attempted recovery with each drive being the only one installed. I'm a little afraid to update the bios because the last time I tried bricked my mobo (MSI B350 Tomahawk) and I had to RMA it. I suppose I'll give it a try.

 

[hdeal2000]

best thing to do is disconnect all drives leaving only the NVME drive connected and do a clean install of windows. later you can reconnect your old drive and get any files off it

It looks like I'll have to do this. The only reason I preferred to repair an existing installation is because it will take so much time to redownload everything and get set up again.

 

[USAFRet]

best thing to do is disconnect all drives leaving only the NVME drive connected and do a clean install of windows. later you can reconnect your old drive and get any files off it

It looks like I'll have to do this. The only reason I preferred to repair an existing installation is because it will take so much time to redownload everything and get set up again.

Cloning is great.
When it works.

If it fails, for whatever reason...a clean install may be your only solution.

 

[captaincharisma]

best thing to do is disconnect all drives leaving only the NVME drive connected and do a clean install of windows. later you can reconnect your old drive and get any files off it

It looks like I'll have to do this. The only reason I preferred to repair an existing installation is because it will take so much time to redownload everything and get set up again.

what software did you use to clone the drive?

 

[hdeal2000]

I used Clonezilla first, then later Macrium Reflect.

 

[USAFRet]

I used Clonezilla first, then later Macrium Reflect.

Barring a hardware fail, or procedural fail, I've always had good results with Macrium.

Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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 as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

 

[hdeal2000]

What I'm finding most troubling is that I can no longer boot into the old SSD. I've performed tons of clones, and I've never had one break the source installation.

UPDATE: I was able to boot back into the old SSD by using a USB stick loaded with the win 10 installation media and running bcdboot.exe E:\Windows /s C: