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The Adventures of Upgrading to SSD From HDD using Acronis 2020

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I have been using various versions of Acronis True Image for years. I have successfully upgraded SSD's in the past without hiccups. It was almost too easy. Im also well aware of the difference between MBR and GPT disks, and booting in Legacy vs UEFI. Most of our clients are on Windows 7, with UEFI Capable machines. So to prepare for doomsday 2020, ive been upgrading HHD's with SSD's and preparing them with GPT, as Windows 10 will require it.

 

Using ATI 2017

Here are the successful scenarios I have had in the past.
some cases were years ago, so my memory may be fuzzy, please excuse

• Backup & Restore Method in Windows Environment
• Backup & Restore Method in Pre-boot environment (Using Boot Media)
Original Drive connected to SATA0, SSD in USB enclosure and the reverse scenario
• Clone Drive method in Pre-boot environment (Using Boot Media)

 

 

Using ATI 2020

 

 

Ive had some difficulties...

Attempt 1: Backup and Restore Method (Entire Disk)
• Within Windows Environment to USB 3.0 Enclosure

I brought the backup to a spare powered down desktop, Plugged it in, as well as the Unformatted SSD. Plugged in my trusty Acronis Boot Media (Generated from ATI 2017).

I was surprised to find the boot media unable to find the backup, as it was saved in the new .tibx format. Upon learning the incompatibility between the new format, and the Older Acronis Boot Media, I returned to the user's laptop to create a new ATI2020 Boot Media. Upon completion, I tried again on the spare desktop. Restore was successful. I waited for my colleague to leave for lunch, and attempted to "Batman" her Hard Drive out with her brand new SSD.
RESULT: Black Screen: Status: 0x0000225 The Boot Selection failed because a required device is inaccessible

Crap.. Quick! pop the original HDD in!

Attempt 2: Clone Disk Method
• using Pre-boot ATI2020 Boot Media

My colleague is very excited to come into work tomorrow and have a turbo-charged workstation. OK, Ive had a good run. I had to fail at least once at some point. So I wait until this colleague leaves for the day, so i can have unfettered access. I Remove the HDD, and put in the SSD into SATA0 (as one should) using a SATA-USB dongle, plug the HDD in as well as the ATI2020 Boot Media. Lets Clone this bad boy! I begin the process and leave for the day. Ready to come in 30 minutes early to finish up.

RESULT: Black Screen: Status: 0x0000225 The Boot Selection failed because a required device is inaccessible

 

Attempt 3: Backup and Restore Method (Entire Disk)
• Clean Slate. Delete & Remove all prior backups
• Within Windows Environment to USB 3.0 Enclosure
• This time to be safe, using a USB2.0 port
• Validate Backup checked

Well this is embarassing.. Sorry Colleague! give me some time.. Its a new version after all. Let this program run overnight, dont shut down when you leave.. and for goodness sake DONT TOUCH IT! Before she leaves for the day, she lets me know that Acronis has an Update available. I read through the release post on it, and it fixes issues that doesn't pertain to what im doing. Lets just keep it at its current version. Once we get the SSD in, then we can update.
Looks like the backup completed and validated, though a USB 2.0 port nonetheless. I plan on taking all the steps by the book. Removing HDD, with the SSD in SATA0. Preforming the Restore through Pre-Boot Environment. I don't want to to have to do the Backup in pre-boot environment also, but if this fails ill have no choice. Last resort, will be using bootrec.exe and the dreaded windows CD/usb..

 

 

Stay Tuned!

Will our hero finally solve the SSD conundrum? Will the let-down colleague finally get to experience life without bottlenecks!?

 

0 Users found this helpful

Can you verify that the BIOS sees the SSD as a bootable device and that the SSD is selected as the boot device?

If both are true, since you have tried the restore once, you may want to reinitialize the SSD to make sure it is completely blank. You may be able to do this using the SATA secure erase from the BIOS of the workstation. If not available in the BIOS, use adding a new disk from the Acronis bootable media, point it at the SSD. No need to format it.