T400 HDD to SSD cloning question

[mpcook]

Do you know if I will run into a problem if I clone my Windows 7 install from a non SSD drive (on my T400s) to an SSD drive? I just installed everything from scratch, and wouldn't want to have to do it again. This includes recovery partition.
Thanks
Mike

[emtee3511]

"Do you know if I will run into a problem if I clone my Windows 7 install from a non SSD drive"


My X301 came with 128gb SSD, but I cloned the HDD's from my X200's, X61s, X100e, and IdeaPad S10 in my signature to SSD's -- all the original ThinkPad HDD's came in different speeds/sizes -- I cloned all to 128gb SSD's, including several Samsung/Lenovo OEM SSD's, a Samsung removed from a MacBook, and a Kingston (I think it was a Now V, but don't remember off the top of my head.) Altogether, I cloned five SSD's from original Lenovo ThinkPad HD's, using cloning device and software that was recommended on this Forum.

I basically have very little clue technically -- that I was able to clone my HDD's to SSD's so easily leads me to believe it must be an extremely simple procedure. The only bump I had was a password protected Kingston SSD that would not clone because of the missing password. After asking questions on the Forum, I returned the SSD to the original eBay Seller, who returned it to Kingston under warranty and then sent me the new replacement SSD -- which cloned perfectly.

Out of the five new 128bg SSD's, four were W7 clones, and one was a Vista clone. I kept my original Lenovo HD's as backups -- All my upgrades were done last year, and all the machines run perfectly with their new 128gb SSD's -- Couldn't have accomplished the upgrades without information provided by several members of this Forum -- hope this info helps you

Edit: Did a search and found the original post where I learned about the cloning hardware/software:

Post subject: Re: Buy of the Week!
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:58 am 

Harryc
A must have for the Thinkpad Hobbyist. I have one of these and use it all the time.
ANYWARE mid-usa001 SATA/ide 2.5" 3.5" to USB 2.0 adapter
MWave - $9.99 shipped
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch_v3 ... ia=AA51890

RealBlackStuff
I agree that's dirt cheap, but I prefer the Apricorn ADW-USB-KIT, for which I paid $19.95 (after MIR) at Newegg last year.
Comes with very useful EZ-GIG II software (Acronis TrueImage clone).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewProduc ... 6812161002
What I normally do is take the hard disk out of the laptop, and hook it up to the Apricorn unit, which is hooked up via USB to my PC.
Then I use Acronis TrueImage (or EZ GIG which is a rebadged version of it), to take a full image of the HD and save it on my PC's HD.
Then put the new HD onto the Apricorn unit, and restore the image back onto the new HD.
Depending on the size of the HD, this takes only minutes each way.
Then insert the new HD back in the laptop, and off you go.

emtee3511
Thank you RealBlackStuff and archer6 - My new Apricorn HD Adapter arrived and I DID IT! This may not be the correct forum to post, but this is where I learned about this gadget and how to clone my HD -- my little IdeaPad S10 (purchased from a forum member) now has a new 128gb SSD (also purchased from a forum member) -- and the Apricorn gadget worked perfectly -- even this 'non-geek' was able to accomplish the image transfer -- (leaving now to go do my happy dance) thanks!

[mpcook]

Thank you for all of this info. It's good to hear there were no issues. I've cloned many machines, but all were Windows XP and with non SSD drives, so I want to be sure there's nothing to consider doing this.
Thanks
Mike

[emtee3511]

"I've cloned many machines"
Great, then cloning to SSD should be no problem for you -- I on the other hand, am "technically challenged", so I was very pleased with the ease of cloning my SSD's. I read on the Forum that SSD's can be faster than HDD's, and I like that -- but I am somewhat of a clutz and I really wanted to "clutz-proof" my ThinkPads The SSD's have been wonderful, giving me no worries about moving from place to place and bumping around on my lap -- Good luck in finding yours.