Cloning Drive - and frustrated!

[starl]

Asking a cloning question on an Excel forum? Sure. Other than this is the "Other Questions" section - we have a lot of members and a wide variety of backgrounds!

80gb SSD being cloned to 250GB SSD. Have tried various softwares (one i don't remember, CloneZilla, Acronis). While the clone was made AND I could boot off the drive - certain Windows features didn't work anymore (that worked fine before). They include Windows Update, Firewall, probably search (didn't try it).

Tried resetting windows update (turn it off, delete folders, etc).
Tried resetting my catroot2 - it failed.
Tried updating my Intel chipset using intel utility - it failed. Manually try update - says I have the latest.

My final attempt will be using a backup image made by Acronis. But thought I'd see if there's an expert who can help.

 

[mole999]

I've used EaseUS Partition master to clone to good effect, though I don't clone everyday and its in the very affordable range

 

[RoryA]

Which version of Windows, and did you try reactivating it? I can't recall how much of a hardware change they allow these days.

 

[starl]

windows 7 and it says it's active.. i don't see how to force it to reactivate.

the only thing i can think of - i don't have the drive in the same port as the orig in the mobo. But with all I read, it requires multiple hardware changes for MS to throw a fit - after all, drives die. They have to expect people to change them! I never had a problem when I upgraded my memory or changed my video card....

 

[starl]

I finally got it fixed! Had to do a bit of homework and then argue with Intel Customer Support.. I really can't stand these folks that just read the text, don't know a thing that they're talking about...

My understanding & fix:
I built my PC back in 2010. Back then, hard drives had 512 bytes per physical sector. That has changed and now they're putting out drives with 4k bytes per physical sector.
I found the commands and was able to verify my old drive. The commands would not work on my new drive - I got "UnSupported"
So, I installed the Intel Rapid Storage Technology update that I had to argue with their CS to get. Reboot.
Check to ensure I have the Microsoft Update that helps Windows 7 with the Advanced Format compatibility (I had it).
Run Windows Update - seems to run, then fails. But that's progress, because it never even ran before.
Follow the MS instructions to shut the Windows Update Service down and rebuild the database.
Run the update. And it runs and runs and runs - way longer than before. I figured it's because the db has to rebuild - which means it has to verify i have every install. It has to check EACH ONE.
Yup - it finally finished, I did some updates, I checked a bunch of other things that weren't working. And I have now been working on my new larger HD and I am SO HAPPY!

The saga is over

 

[mole999]

Thumbs Up

 

[RoryA]

Sounds like a hoot! I think I'd just have done a reinstall.

 

[starl]

That would have been worse.
Settings, reactivating software.. finding the codes. Yes, I try to be organized, but...

 

[mole999]

Codes, you can get many from Belarc Advisor free

 

[starl]

I prefer legit software. A lot of work goes into these, they're often small companies or individuals and I want to thank them for what they've done. I even have some free software, and I've gone to their site to donate as a thank you.