Moving to a smaller SSD disk - advice needed
Replacing laptop 512GB HDD with 256GB SSD replacement.
I am aware of kb article 2770 (Acronis True Image: Resizing Partitions during Restore to Larger/Smaller Hard Drive).
However, I need specific advice on the process of cloning and replacing the partitions on my current drive. I intend taking a complete disk image of all partitions and saving them to an external USB2 HDD.
I am replacing the drive as it has ‘stuttered’ on rare occasions and Acronis Drive Monitor has confirmed that there are serious bad sector issues on the disk - something I had suspected but hadn’t been able to prove.
My current partitions are, as they appear under True Image Home 2012, in order:
- RECOVERY 10.9GB of 15GB used (NTFS)
- Unnamed partition (identified by TI 2012 as ‘System Reserved partition’ when I uncheck the check box to its left) 0.1GB of 0.1GB used (NTFS) - please see attached image file which shows the partition as only about 40% used (?!)
- Local Disk C (NTFS) 48.7GB of 117.2GB used: contains Win7 32 bit Home SP1 + programs
- Local Disk D (NTFS) 127.4GB of 333.5GB used: contains data ‘only’.
Questions:
Following kb2770 doesn’t give me enough advice on my particular structure:
1/. In what order should I replace these partitions?
2/. Do I need to allow an offset for one of the recovery partitions as I have seen on your forums? This worries me as I had expected TI 2012 to be able to automatically align the partitions correctly for an SSD.
3/. Will TI 2012 create the partition structure by itself?
4/.When I first got this laptop I attempted to restore an image of the C partition from the USB external HDD but TI 2009 only saw an unpartitioned disk and trashed the partition structure. I had to reinstall Win7 from scratch, install TI 2009 and then use a C partition image stored on the internal data partition, which saved the day.
I don’t want to go through that again!
I would appreciate your help with my specific situation, hence my paying for support.
Thanks GroverH for your help.
I did in fact buy PPI support but the servers wouldn't recognise that this had happened... Am actively following this up but it's taking time.
I have attached he image you suggested.
I would aim to set up the hidden partitions with the exact size they are now. How do I manage to ensure that they’re hidden and not seen by Windows as either C or D partitions?
How and where do I ensure the offset is there and what value would I be looking for as correct?
I gather from kb2770 that I should restore one partition after another so that I can reduce both the C (OS) and D (data) partitions to fit the smaller disk. 256GB is actually more than adequate for my needs.
Thanks again.
Steve
So, I *think* I understand:
1/. I take a 'whole disk' image of my 512 GB drive (I'd like to avoid cloning per se as too many people report problems if the computer has a glitch at the time)
2/. I then can restore that image to my 256 GB SSD and I can choose to resize the partitions as appropriate– leaving the hidden factory partitions at the same same size but reducing the C partition and the data D partition.
3/. TI 2012 will automatically create the correct offset for an SSD – I don’t really understand the issue about offsets but I understand that it’s critical.
My partitions would therefore have the following values? – please see attached image of current system.
- OEM partition 0.00 GB to 15 GB (I don’t need to lave any other small space before this?)
- Rescue partition 15 GB to 15.10 GB
- OS C partition 15.10 GB to 95 GB
- Data D partition 95 GB – 256 GB
Is this correct?
And when all is ready TI 2012 will restore everything according to the above parameters?
Thanks for any guidance.
Steve
Generally, you have the right idea. I do not have time to respond now but later tonight hopefully.
Item 1 and 2 and 3 are correct except for on item 3,you will have to confirm that the setting is in fact correct.
The first two partitions are to be restored (by the user) without any change from their original sizes. TI may try to change the first partition and you will need to adjust the sizes back to original. As the 2nd partition is the active partition, most likely, TI will not try to change this size. You should be able to adjust partition 3 to what you want and assign the remainder to partition 4.
All this must be done when booted from the TI bootable media rescue CD. The SSD is to be installed in its intended boot partition within the computer before the restore.
Click on the first line of my signature below and look at index items 3-DD. Also 3-CC and 3-BB would be helpful so you understand how the resizing works and how to check for the correct 1 mb offset before partition 1. You can practice all this. It is practice up until you reach the summary screen where you choose either to PROCEED or CANCEL. Choose the CANCEL option when practicing. My guides are not specific to your needs and I may suggest restoring individually. The guides will help you to understand how to make the adjustment.
I will respond later tonight with a little more detail. In the meantime, so some research on my links.
Above is the your attachment with info I have added. What you see is the sequence in which the partition are to be restored and my suggested partition sizes. I am assuming that the screen capture you uploaded is the original setup from your original Windows installation.
The only partition that needs to have a size change is partition 4 which is the data partition. The first three partitions should be restored to the same size as shown in the picture. You must NOT use drive letters for identification. Identify the partitions by their other characteristics such as free and used space, etc
My suggestion of the method to use in transferring your backup file to the new disk would be to restore each single partition one at a time until you get all restored. This will require 4 separate single partition restore passes without any reboots.
Preliminary:
Install the new blank SSD inside the computer in its normal boot partition.
Attach the USB disk containing your backups.
Boot from the TI bootable media Rescue CD.
If at any point you need to start over from the very beginning, you can use the CD TI "Add disk" option and delete any partitions on the new disk. Make sure that the partition type for partitions 2-3-4 are marked as primary.
The remaining instructions are listed in an attached PDF. I thought they might be easier to print. Let us know the results or any questions.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/guides/stephen…
GroverH. That's fantastic. Thank you very much..but...
when I installed the new SSD I got the following error:
"Acronis True Image Home has detected unsupported hard disk drives. Acronis True Image does not support Windows Dynamic Disks, E-Z Drives etc".
I was also told when I closed that dialog box that the "MBR was invalid" - it would be there isn't one yet!
Wo you know what's going wrong? My old HDD stuttered and I think is now history..., so I'm anxious to be able to get going.
Thanks again.
Steve
A few things to try.
Boot from the TI CD and use the "add disk" option.
or
Attach disk to another windows 7 computer and create a simple partition on the disk or initiatize the disk.
or
Use a Win 7 install/repair CD and create a partition on the disk.
Have you check the manufacturer website for any FAQ's or help.
I can't get to the point where I could add a new disk.
I have an old retail Win7 install disk, although I've used the key but would it be best to install Win 7 with one ntfs partition?
Thanks.
Steve (now texting from my Dell Venue Pro)
You don't need to do an install. Just initialize or create a partition. Even if you use the key, the restore will remove all the data from the SD.
A format of the temporary partition is not required.
Thanks GroverH. Again you seem to be able to get straight to the solution. TI2012 now sees the disk properly and I am set up to try the image restoration - after I get back from work tomorrow morning. Will let you know how I get on.
Many thanks again.
Steve
Ah! Followed the process exactly as you suggested in your personalised pdf link and it worked! I have now restored all the partitions and my laptop is back in the land of the living again.
Thank you, GroverH, VERY much.
One last (minor) question: I'd never used the 'multiple partitions option' before. I now see that when I back-up the C partition as a disk on its own it copies the 100MB hidden partition as well. Do I need to restore that if I need to restore just the C partition, or do I restore C as a disk and the 100MB partition just comes along for the ride?
Thanks again.
Steve
Your restore actions will depend upon your needs.
If you simply need to overlay the contents of C, then simply restore C.
However, if your are having problems with C, then you should restore both C and the hidden partition.
If restoring to a different disk, the new disk will not boot unless the hidden partition is there and in the correct location.
I prefer to make all my backups by check marking the disk (disk mode) as to the device being backed up so all partitions are included within the backup.
I'm glad it worked for you.
Got it.
Thanks again.
Steve