Cloning SSD1 to SSD2 causes problems with Windows Boot Manager
I have installed a second solid state drive (SSD2), and cloned my first (SSD1) containing Windows 8 (64-bit) operating system to SSD2.
However, in BIOS, I have to choose Windows Boot Manager to boot into Windows. If I choose either SSD1 or SSD2, I get errors- Acronis loader error (SSD1); MBR error (SSD2). So, I am forced to choose Windows Boot Manager. This then boots into Windows.
My understanding is that my cloning has installed Windows Boot Manager onto SSD1, (first active hard drive which Disk Management calls the System drive), and the Windows operating system onto SSD2 (called the Boot drive).
The problem with this is that I want to re-format SSD1 and make it into a data disc, but if I do this, I probably will not be able to boot up into Windows.
How do I get SSD2 to load in BIOS without errors and without having to use Windows Boot Manager? At present, it is not even present in the BIOS load discs lists, only SSD1. Basically, I suppose that I want to install both the Windows Boot Manager and the Windows operating system onto SSD2. But I don't know how to do that.
Also, I don't know whether I should choose GUID or MBR. Please explain the difference. MBR used to be so easy, but now that GUID has come on the scene, I don't know what is going on.
Wfeg,
When you clone a system disk it is very important NOT to reboot the computer with both disk inside. You should first remove the original disk before trying to reboot on the cloned disk.
Remove SSD2, boot the computer on SSD1. Then place SSD2 at the same spot as SSD1, put SSD1 on some other port, boot the computer on the Acronis recovery CD and clone SSD1 onto SSD2.
Then, remove SSD1, and boot the computer on SSD2 alone. After you have confirmed the computer works OK on SSD2, put back SSD1 in the system. boot on the recovery CD and add new disk, select SSD1. This will blank SSD1 out.THen boot the computer normally and proceed with partitioning SSD1 as you want,e tc.
Choose MBR unless you have to use GPT (dynamic disks, more than 4 primary partitions, partitions bigger than 2TB are good reasons to use GPT).
Pat L
Thank you very much for your speedy comments.
Your procedure sounds rather complicated. Would it be easier just to clone SSD2 again (from SSD1)?
This will delete everything on SSD2, and put it back there during the new cloning. But this time, I could then remove SSD1 from GSATA3 Port 6, and reboot my computer (on SSD2).
At present, I have SSD1 on GSATA3 Port 6, and SSD2 on GSATA3 Port 7. For clarification, if I follow your procedure, I would just unplug the data and power cables from SSD2, and boot the computer on SSD1. Then place SSD2 at GSATA3 Port 6, put SSD1 at GSATA3 Port 7, boot the computer using Acronis Recovery disc and clone SSD1 onto SSD2. Is this what you had in mind?
I am not sure that I would be able to boot the computer on SSD1 after removing SSD2, as SSD2 is now my boot drive.
Any further assistance would be very much appreciated.
Wfeg
[quote=Wfeg]
Your procedure sounds rather complicated. Would it be easier just to clone SSD2 again (from SSD1)?
That's the recommended Clone process. If that seems too complicated, I can suggest a simpler, safer way to achieve the same result without Cloning.
My best advice: Do not Clone! Instead, do one extra step and create a full disk Backup to an external drive. If ever you need to return to that image state, you would do a full disk Restore/Recovery.
There is rarely a need to Clone. Really, Backup is safer and more flexible. Many users encounter problems Cloning which they would not have if they had instead used Backup.
1. Don't use Clone. Do a full disk mode Backup, selecting the entire disk, and a Restore. The end result will be the same as Clone, but with many advantages.
2. Check out the many user guides and tutorials in the left margin of this forum, particularly Getting Started and Grover's True Image Guides which are illustrated with step-by-step screenshots such as
A full disk backup, selecting the disk checkbox rather than individual partitions, includes everything. It includes everything that a clone would include.
The difference is that while a clone immediately writes that information a single time to another drive, a backup is saved as a compressed .tib archive. As such, multiple .tib archives may be saved to a single backup drive, allowing for greater redundancy, security and flexibility.
Once a full disk image .tib archive is restored to a drive, the result is the same as if that drive had been the target of a clone done on the date and time that the backup archive was created.
Clone is riskier because we've seen situations where users mistakenly choose the wrong drive to clone from and to, thus wiping out their system drive.
Tuttle
Many thanks for your suggestions. I will certainly do a full disk backup, selecting the disk checkbox rather than individual partitions, to include everything.
However, you have not commented much on the RESTORE process. Once I have the full backup, what special procedures should I use during the RESTORE process. I have done this before, but maybe there are certain things that are important and worth pointing out.
If I restore to a Restore to using "Disk option” restore, I will restore my backup to a target disk the same size as my original disk. This will then leave unallocated space on the target disc. I have had trouble with this before, because if I allocate the unallocated space to a drive letter and then merge with the system backup (.tib) partition, the new SSD disc becomes unbootable. How should I go about it?
I have looked at the Grover's True Image Guides, but there are many of them, and I need something more specific so that I don't get the wrong one and mess things up.
Also, could you please comment on the Windows Boot Manager and how it works. Why does it put the Boot Manager on the source SSD and the OS on the target SSD. It seems that this just makes things difficult. If I have 2 boot discs (SSD1 and SSD2), I would like to select either in BIOS and boot from them instead of having to choose Windows Boot Manager? But at the moment, I can't do this. Once things get straightened out, my intention is to re-format SSD1 as a data disc, and use only SSD2 as my boot disc.
Your assistance is much appreciated.
Wfeg
Well- I have done a full disk backup, selecting the disk checkbox rather than individual partitions, to include everything.
Now I need some comments on how to restore to SSD2 without involving SSD1.
Do I unplug SSD1, then use the Acronis Recovery CD to restore the disc only full disc backup?
When I re-boot, will this boot successfully into SSD2? Will the BIOS just show SSD2 as a boot drive (it is not present at the moment)?
If I restore using my "Disk option” backup, will I restore my backup to a target disk the same size as my original disk? This would then leave unallocated space on the target disc. I have had trouble with this before, because if I then allocate the unallocated space to a drive letter and then merge with the system backup (.tib) partition, the new SSD disc becomes unbootable. How should I go about it?
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Wfeg
I have just looked at Computer Management, and I find that neither SSD1 or SSD2 (Boot) are designated as the active partition.
There are two active partitions on two other EXTERNAL Samsung USB drives.
Why are they both marked as 'active', and why isn't SSD2 (Boot) marked as active?
Wfeg
Open Windows 8 Disk Management and screen capture two screens. The first as it is, and the second after choosing "View/Top/Disk List", then attach the screen captures here.
This will help with any future instructions for you.
James F
I have attached the two .JPG images on Computer Management/Disk Management as you requested. Unfortunately, they are a bit small due to the restricted .JPGH size allowed to upload (45MB).
Wfeg
James F
Sorry- I got the size wroong, so I have done it again- this time larger.
I have attached the two .JPG images on Computer Management/Disk Management as you requested.
Wfeg
I have just looked at Computer Management, and I find that neither SSD1 or SSD2 (Boot) are designated as the active partition.
There are two active partitions on two other EXTERNAL Samsung USB drives.Why are they both marked as 'active', and why isn't SSD2 (Boot) marked as active?
Wfeg
I have just looked at Computer Management, and I find that neither SSD1 or SSD2 (Boot) are designated as the active partition.
There are two active partitions on two other EXTERNAL Samsung USB drives.Why are they both marked as 'active', and why isn't SSD2 (Boot) marked as active?
Wfeg
Any answers to this question?
Wfeg