Moving OS from HDD to SSD

[artistpavel]

I purchased OCZ Vertex SSD, which btw is kinda on sale:
Newegg.ca - OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Solid State Disks


I'm willing to migrate my Windows 7 setup to a new SSD, and looking for confirmation on steps I take:

1. Connect SSD and update firmware:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/drivers...hing_Guide.pdf

2. Align SSD partition:
Guide VERTEX..single disk installation and windows tweaks. All disk sizes. - OCZ Forum

3. Use Acronis TrueImage 2009 to clone OS from HDD to SSD:
Guide CLONE & RESTORE IMAGE - MY FOOL PROOF VIDEO GUIDE - OCZ Forum

4. Change disk boot priority to new SSD.


Now, do I have to align disk before or does the Acronis do it automatically when cloning? Anything else I should know?

[lowfat]

Vista/7 alignment is done automatically with install. I don't know if Acronis keeps the alignment though.

[artistpavel]

So I should do the alignment with Diskpart, then format SSD with Windows' Drive Manager, and clone the image with Acronis, correct?

[lowfat]

As long as Acronis doesn't screw up the alignment afterwards. A lot of disk cloners / backup tools will reformat the drive.

[artistpavel]

How would I know if alignment is screwed up, OS won't install or the signs are more subtle?

[lowfat]

That I have no idea.

[fefox]

ok I had to laugh... I followed your link to the SSD after seeing the word, "SALE" thinking Oooouuu,I wonder how much they are...

I see the price, wince and whisper OUCH... then I read....

(((The OCZ Vertex offers your system the incredible performance and reliability of flash-based technology at a price that won’t make you WINCE.)))

lol

[fefox]

I have never had much to do with a SSD other than the one in my Asus Eeepc, but as far as disk cloning ive always used PING with fantastic results makes a perfect duplicate of your old drive onto a new one..

ping.windowsdream.com

[lowfat]

Why not just use Windows Backup & restore? I created an image from my OCZ Vertex to my X25-M array and it worked without a hitch.

[fefox]

Im not really a Windows fan, and dont really trust it.. I use it for games otherwise im in linux or solaris.

I guess what I found nice with PING is that it will duplicate Everything including your windows and unix partitions and anything else on the drive.
So no hassels with a mutli OS boot disk.
Only Negative thing I can recall is that if you boot with both drives now being identical that XP 'not sure about the other versions' gets upset because of the two identical windows drive ID's.
but thats easy to solve.