Solved C drive cloned to a larger NVMe SSD, but recovery was not cloned, is this a problem?


XYZ said:
I have been running many software from my second drive for years (but I don't know if cloning a new NVMe SSD has altered this and is the cause of the problem?)
Click to expand...
Yes, I understand, you can install software programs on a slave drive, but will you still be able to use those programs after cloning? This is unchartered waters for me, I just don't know.
 

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XYZ said:
Once again, many thanks allan, I'm starting to get a better idea, but I am not there yet with a complete picture (= understanding)

I googled the difference between drive image and clone. Found this: Hard drive imaging vs. cloning: What's the difference?

I used AOMEI Backupper Pro, which I have on my computer, to clone my hard drive. I followed AOMEI guidelines, but there was one additional option I could have chosen that was not mentioned in the guidelines, so I did not select this. Now I have found an article that says to include Restore sections in the clone I had to select this option as well. This option is "sector-by-sector clone".

So, can I do another clone with this sector-by-sector selected? (and later also do a drive image)

However, in the "windowscentral.com article it says something I find very confusing: "Because cloning creates an exact copy — no compression — of a hard drive, you can only clone to a hard drive once. You can, of course, overwrite the clone on the hard drive in the case that you need the external drive for other storage."

"You can only clone a hard drive once...." I can only clone my NVMe SSD once? So, since I have already cloned it I can't clone it again??? That seems strange, but?
Click to expand...
What allan is trying to say is you don't have to worry about the recovery partition not being cloned to the new hard drive. In place of that recovery partition, you can just create a backup image of your new OS drive in case you need to do a recovery/system restore later on.
You can also clone your OS using macrium by restoring your old drive's OS image to a new drive. Maybe this method will also include the recovery drive that is not being copied using a cloning method. But again, you don't have to worry about the recovery partition. Most of the time, they don't really work anyway. You will still end up doing a clean install.
 

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RD Mercer said:
Yes, I understand, you can install software programs on a slave drive, but will you still be able to use those programs after cloning? This is unchartered waters for me, I just don't know.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have to admit that, regrettably, I hadn't thought about this potential problem. Well, as the saying goes, you hopefully live and learn (unfortunately, at an ill-afforded cost).
 

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DennisG said:
At this stage I would be inclined to try as follows:
1. Put the old SSD back in the machine, boot and make sure all is working.
2. Using your backup software of choice, make separate images of both Windows and system partitions.
3. Download W11 image and make bootable usb.
4. Re-install new SSD and do a clean install of W11
5. Boot from your backup recovery usb and backup your Windows partition image made previously. Hopefully, you won't need the system partition backup.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Although I thank you, DennisG, for this suggestion, I doubt I will try this, as I have lost any confidence I had.

I have replaced the old NVMe SSD, and the computer started with no trouble. Just to be sure, I ran HP PC Hardware Diagnostics, and everything passed. Next, I aim to use the downloaded Macrium Reflect to wipe the new NVMe SSD clean if possible (I don't know for sure and have not done it before). Then, I will leave everything as it is.
 

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XYZ said:
Although I thank you, DennisG, for this suggestion, I doubt I will try this, as I have lost any confidence I had.

I have replaced the old NVMe SSD, and the computer started with no trouble. Just to be sure, I ran HP PC Hardware Diagnostics, and everything passed. Next, I aim to use the downloaded Macrium Reflect to wipe the new NVMe SSD clean if possible (I don't know for sure and have not done it before). Then, I will leave everything as it is.
Click to expand...
I share your frustration. As a "silver surfer" it has taken me many years to come to terms with Windows - but stick at it. Let me expand:
1. Put the old SSD back in the machine, boot and make sure all is working. You have done this.
2. Using your backup software of choice, (you are going to install Macrium Reflect - good choice) make separate images of both Windows and system partitions. Store them on a separate disk. These are your insurance policy
3. Download W11 image and make bootable usb. There are guides on this Forum which explain how to do this.
4. Re-install new SSD and start a clean install of W11. Just after it starts press shift F10 to bring up a command prompt. Run Diskpart. There is a tutorial on this Forum for this. Having selected the new drive use the "clean all" command in Diskpart. CAUTION - make sure to select your NEW disk !! Mega important to be sure !!
5. Having cleaned your new disk continue with installation of W11. This will create the partition structure on your new disk.
6. Boot to new disk and make sure it works. Shut down your PC.
7. Boot from your Macrium Reflect backup recovery usb and backup your Windows partition image made previously. This should over write the vanilla c: Windows partition with your original Windows installation.
8. Re-boot and keep everything crossed.
Hopefully, you won't need the system partition backup.
Good luck.
 

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DennisG said:
I share your frustration. As a "silver surfer" it has taken me many years to come to terms with Windows - but stick at it. Let me expand:
1. Put the old SSD back in the machine, boot and make sure all is working. You have done this.
2. Using your backup software of choice, (you are going to install Macrium Reflect - good choice) make separate images of both Windows and system partitions. Store them on a separate disk. These are your insurance policy
3. Download W11 image and make bootable usb. There are guides on this Forum which explain how to do this.
4. Re-install new SSD and start a clean install of W11. Just after it starts press shift F10 to bring up a command prompt. Run Diskpart. There is a tutorial on this Forum for this. Having selected the new drive use the "clean all" command in Diskpart. CAUTION - make sure to select your NEW disk !! Mega important to be sure !!
5. Having cleaned your new disk continue with installation of W11. This will create the partition structure on your new disk.
6. Boot to new disk and make sure it works. Shut down your PC.
7. Boot from your Macrium Reflect backup recovery usb and backup your Windows partition image made previously. This should over write the vanilla c: Windows partition with your original Windows installation.
8. Re-boot and keep everything crossed.
Hopefully, you won't need the system partition backup.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks once again DennisG, this time for the detailed steps. However, even if I managed to do this, the critical reality is that it might destroy my ability to use the software installed on a secondary drive. Software I need. Many of which I probably couldn't reinstall for different reasons. I hadn't thought about this. Otherwise, I would never have bought the new Samsung NVMe SSD (which I still have a few days left to return). I think it might be wiser to return it while I still can.

Update:
I will sleep on this and try to decide what to do for the best (if my jittery nerves allow this; at the moment, I am just so happy to have my computer back and not sure I want to risk losing it again). I only have a brief window to return the SSD!
 
Last edited:

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I'm not as expert as some others on the forum when it comes to cloning, but I can tell you that if you successfully clone your current ssd to your new ssd, everything should continue to work normally - even the apps on your secondary drive.
 

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allan said:
I'm not as expert as some others on the forum when it comes to cloning, but I can tell you that if you successfully clone your current ssd to your new ssd, everything "should" continue to work normally - even the apps on your secondary drive.
Click to expand...
Key word here is "should" and yes, you would think it should, as I would think it should. I was hoping someone would come along that has actually experienced this, and it worked. What I have learned for sure since my first IBM 8088, that 50% of the time, some things "should" work, but I'm certainly not a gambling man.
 

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Yes, I've done it several times. Cloning a drive copies everything - registry entries, pointers, etc. I say "should" as opposed to "will" because nothing in life is 100% certain (with one obvious exception). Perhaps this will be more clear: if you clone the system drive successfully, everything WILL work barring anything unexpected happening.
 

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allan said:
Yes, I've done it several times. Cloning a drive copies everything - registry entries, pointers, etc. I say "should" as opposed to "will" because nothing in life is 100% certain (with one obvious exception). Perhaps this will be more clear: if you clone the system drive successfully, everything WILL work barring anything unexpected happening.
Click to expand...
I'm assuming that if I try this and it doesn't work, I can still go back to my original SSD and still have access to my software on the secondary drive, right? Won't mess up my option to return the computer to how it is now with the old SSD. (And if I try to do it soon will still have time to send new SSD back.)

Another question: does anybody know videos that cover this? Due to my ADHD/Autism, I am predominantly visual orientated. Struggle with word descriptions. I have to read things many times before my head starts to understand what is written.

Having some difficulty with 2) make separate images of both Windows and system partitions. = "...make image of Windows..." = means what = image of complete drive C, or? = "..and system partitions.." make images of each separate partition, or?

And difficulty with 7) ... and backup your Windows partition image made previously ?
as well as =. This should overwrite the vanilla c: Windows partition...? what is ...vanilla C: windows partition...?

As I said, if anybody knows of suitable videos, that would be great; thanks!
 

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XYZ said:
I'm assuming that if I try this and it doesn't work, I can still go back to my original SSD and still have access to my software on the secondary drive, right? Won't mess up my option to return the computer to how it is now with the old SSD. (And if I try to do it soon will still have time to send new SSD back.)
Click to expand...
Yes.

Here's something that may help: Cloning a Disk with Macrium Reflect 8 | Macrium Software

NOTE: I'm not sure if the free version of Macrium supports a full clone. I seem to recall trying it when I was first testing Macrium Reflect 8 years ago, and it wouldn't boot. I ended up having to purchase the full version and then it worked flawlessly.
 

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XYZ said:
I'm assuming that if I try this and it doesn't work, I can still go back to my original SSD and still have access to my software on the secondary drive, right? Won't mess up my option to return the computer to how it is now with the old SSD. (And if I try to do it soon will still have time to send new SSD back.)

Another question: does anybody know videos that cover this? Due to my ADHD/Autism, I am predominantly visual orientated. Struggle with word descriptions. I have to read things many times before my head starts to understand what is written.

Having some difficulty with 2) make separate images of both Windows and system partitions. = "...make image of Windows..." = means what = image of complete drive C, or? = "..and system partitions.." make images of each separate partition, or?

And difficulty with 7) ... and backup your Windows partition image made previously ?
as well as =. This should overwrite the vanilla c: Windows partition...? what is ...vanilla C: windows partition...?

As I said, if anybody knows of suitable videos, that would be great; thanks!
Click to expand...
This might help although I haven't watched it all:
 

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allan said:
Yes.

Here's something that may help: Cloning a Disk with Macrium Reflect 8 | Macrium Software

NOTE: I'm not sure if the free version of Macrium supports a full clone. I seem to recall trying it when I was first testing Macrium Reflect 8 years ago, and it wouldn't boot. I ended up having to purchase the full version and then it worked flawlessly.
Click to expand...
I'm using free version and it seems to include cloning. That said, I haven't tested it.
1735508068126.webp
 

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XYZ said:
I'm assuming that if I try this and it doesn't work, I can still go back to my original SSD and still have access to my software on the secondary drive, right? Won't mess up my option to return the computer to how it is now with the old SSD. (And if I try to do it soon will still have time to send new SSD back.)

Another question: does anybody know videos that cover this? Due to my ADHD/Autism, I am predominantly visual orientated. Struggle with word descriptions. I have to read things many times before my head starts to understand what is written.

Having some difficulty with 2) make separate images of both Windows and system partitions. = "...make image of Windows..." = means what = image of complete drive C, or? = "..and system partitions.." make images of each separate partition, or?

And difficulty with 7) ... and backup your Windows partition image made previously ?
as well as =. This should overwrite the vanilla c: Windows partition...? what is ...vanilla C: windows partition...?

As I said, if anybody knows of suitable videos, that would be great; thanks!
Click to expand...
Item 2) Make individual images (not clone) of the Windows and EFI System partitions on your existing SSD using Macrium. Save them on a separate or external disk.
1735508977686.webp
Item 7) With Macrium you need to use it to create a bootable recovery usb to restore your system from the image you made. I used the word "vanilla" to describe the new windows installation. It just means a basic new installation with no programs or anything added. The new disk will look like the existing - the new installation of Windows will have created the new partitions on it.
All that then remains to do is to shut down the machine and reboot from the Macrium recovery usb. You will then be able to recover the image of your existing Windows installation to the C: drive partition on the new disk.
Hope this helps.
 

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My mind has been worrying about the Blue Screen that happened.

And I now wonder if the problem could be something else = that I have the wrong NVMe SSD

My old SSD is an Intel SSDPEKNW512G8H

I bought a Samsung 990 PRO NVMe™ M.2 SSD - 1 TB (PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD without heatsink)

I found an article on reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/187twpb/my_laptop_has_the_intel_ssdpeknw512g8_which_is

A person is looking for a replacement for the same Intel SSD as mine. Someone has replied saying it is a M.2 SSD with a length of 2280 mm and a PCIE 3.0 x4 interface. Recommends just searching for = M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0

I placed this PCIE 3.0 x4 into the search bar of the Samsung website but only got 2x results: 980 PRO PCIe NVMe SSD or MZ-V8V. However, when I clicked on the 980 PR0 it said (German Samsung website) this is no longer available please choose one of these and it sends you to a page with several NVMe are listed, and one of them is the 990 PR0, so?

Samsung also recommends using its migration software to copy from former drive.

So, I suspect I have the wrong NVMe SSD, I need the one with Interface 3.0, and I have bought Interface 4.0. = at least I now think that this might have caused the Blue Screen!
 
Last edited:

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A gen4 nvme should work fine in a gen3 slot
 

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Today, I thought I had bought the wrong SSD, and this caused the Blue Screen.

However, I have just called Samsung, and they said although my computer connection interface is 3.0 and the Samsung SSD 990PRO I bought has a 4.0 interface, it is downwards compatible, it just won't run at the maximal speed. However, Samsung says it is not a problem.

They do recommend using Samsung Magician to copy data from my C drive to the SSD 990Pro

SAMSUNG MAGICIAN-resizeJPG.webp
 

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DennisG said:
This might help although I haven't watched it all:
Click to expand...
Thanks DennisG! I had already watched this video a few times and used it while cloning my new SSD (Samsung 990PRO)

But I don't think it helps with the process you have described:

1. Put the old SSD back in the machine, boot and make sure all is working. You have done this.
2. Using your backup software of choice, (you are going to install Macrium Reflect - good choice) make separate images of both Windows and system partitions. Store them on a separate disk. These are your insurance policy
3. Download W11 image and make bootable usb. There are guides on this Forum which explain how to do this.
4. Re-install new SSD and start a clean install of W11. Just after it starts press shift F10 to bring up a command prompt. Run Diskpart. There is a tutorial on this Forum for this. Having selected the new drive use the "clean all" command in Diskpart. CAUTION - make sure to select your NEW disk !! Mega important to be sure !!
5. Having cleaned your new disk continue with installation of W11. This will create the partition structure on your new disk.
6. Boot to new disk and make sure it works. Shut down your PC.
7. Boot from your Macrium Reflect backup recovery usb and backup your Windows partition image made previously. This should over write the vanilla c: Windows partition with your original Windows installation.
8. Re-boot and keep everything crossed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
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    HP Pavillion Gaming Desktop
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    i7-9700
    Memory
    32
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    GTX 1660 Ti
Samsung magician works great! This is one of the reasons I spend a few dollars more to buy all Samsung drives. You will need at least a couple m.2 slots on your board to use the Samsung software. If you only have one m.2 slot on your board, and have an extra pcie slot, you could mount your intel drive onto a pcie card, and you could probably do it that way. If all else fails, they do make m.2 duplicators.
 

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DennisG said:
I'm using free version and it seems to include cloning. That said, I haven't tested it.
Click to expand...
Thanks DennisG: I used Macrium Reflect 8 to clone my new SSD (that caused the Blue Screen). It also stored a "My Clone.xml" data on my computer. So, Version 8 does clone (although what worries me is why did it cause a Blue Screen after being placed in the computer?) And if I use this again, won't the same thing happen once again? I must admit I start to get confused.

However, I think I need to use the Samsung Magician, which I already have installed.
 

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    GTX 1660 Ti
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