upgrade to SSD and load Windows 8.1

[bidbear12]

I want to upgrade my primary hard drive "C" to a new SSD, how can I load/restore my windows 8.1 to the new SSD? I have the new SSD on a USB adapter cable.  

Any pointer would be appreicated.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @bidbear12

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting.

Could you please clarify your PC model and product number (PN) as described here >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

I couldn't find the one you posted already.

Without details I can't provide specifics but generally speaking :

- you can clone your existing drive to the new SSD. Eventually, place the SSD as your new primary disk and it should boot [possible tool CloneZilla]. You will need your new SSD connected to the PC via USB cable (for example)

- you can create a system image of all your entire partitions [ possible tools - Windows 7,8 or 10 internal tools or  CloneZilla again). You will need: your existing drive, additional external drive to keep the image in - e.g. USB pen drive or USB HDD and your new SSD connect eventually to "open" the image in)

or

- you can just reinstall Windows on the new SSD using Microsoft installation media or HP Recovery media (depending on your license type) and eventually reinstall everything else (programs, drivers, files, etc....)

It depends on your wish and tech possibilities.

Looking forward to your clarifications and I can post further instructions

[ailsa99]

You can check your hard drive slot on your PC, if you have two slots, you can clone your hard drive to a new SSD drive, then replace your SSD drive as your boot drive; if else, you  can backup your hard drive to external hard drive, then restore you backup image to the new SSD drive. the two ways will move your Windows 8.1 system and the installed applications from original HDD to the new SSD drive without losing data. or you can move Windows 8.1 to SSD drive.

[bidbear12]

Hello IT_WinSec,

thank for the respond, This is copied out of my HP Support Assistant: HP ENVY TS 17 Notebook PC, Part #: J0G76AV, Ser#:CG428GXDJ .  

Thanks,

Bidbear12

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Thank you for the provided information. Unfortunately, I am still unable to find this PC model in the HP library for some reason. Anyway, I will post general instructions

You will need :

- either 1 empty/blank USB thumb drive   OR  1 empty/blank DVD disk

- Linux based operating system - free to download utility  - e.g. Clonezilla

You can directly download Clonezilla from their website >> http://clonezilla.org/downloads/download.php?branch=stable

Download the amd64 version, iso, auto

Once ready, you need to write the ISO to make a bootable media (e.g. bootable DVD or USB drive). Here is how:

--How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

or

--How to write ISO to DVD >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows

Note that the instructions are example with Ubuntu, but you have to use Clonezilla's ISO image and Rufus, not Ubuntu's ISO

When ready with the USB drive or with the DVD:

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled  (if applicable for your model)

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled (if applicable for your model)

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes.

(if applicable for your model) Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the CloneZilla USB thumdrive or the CloneZilla DVD prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB drive or the DVD as boot option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to run CloneZilla (not install it but try it).

Choose Clonezilla live, choose default VGA 1024x768.

Do NOT choose Clonezilla boot to RAM

Follow the official article (instructions) to perform :  device-device work

and then disk-local disk

http://clonezilla.org/show-live-doc-content.php?topic=clonezilla-live/doc/03_Disk_to_disk_clone

Your current HDD should be kept inside the PC. Your new SSD should be outside but connected to the PC via USB cable.

SSD should be blank/empty before starting to work with it.

Clonezilla will clone your existing HDD to the new SSD - every single bit/byte should be placed on the SSD

The entire operation may take several hours to complete (depening on the type of your HDD, size of info,etc.)

Eventually, if everything is ready and successful, you should be able to :

- power off the device

- open the PC

- swap the HDD with the new SSD

- boot the PC (might need to adjust Secure Boot settings)

- enjoy the new SSD

Hope this helps.

[bidbear12]

Thanks for detialed instruction!

Bidbear12

[IT_WinSec]

@bidbear12

You are most welcome. 🙂

If you face difficulties, please post again.

If you believe this solves your issues, please mark the thread (this post) as Accepted solution to help others who may use the search/find features in the forum.

Enjoy your weekend !

[bidbear12]

I tried using both  Clonezilla and Backupper (Paid version 4.0.3) to clone my primary drive. When install the new SSD as my primary drive the system does not see it as a bootable drive. What adjustment do I need to make with the EFI?

As to my PC model is this was taken off the label under the battery:

HP Envy TouchSmart 17 Notebook PC

Product: JOG76AV

Ser:  [personal information removed]

Model: 17t -J100 ABA

Rev: 1966 - 110

Any help is appericated

[IT_WinSec]

Hi,

That is strange because if you cloned the HDD to the SSD, and if the SSD is detected by the BIOS, all should be fine and everything should be the same - that is clone. Insert the SSD as only drive.

Could enter the BIOS (F10) and

- disable Secure Boot

- enable Legacy mode

- exit BIOS saving the changes

You may also adjust the boot order for the SSD to be first on the Legacy mode boot list.

More info:

>> https://support.hp.com/rs-en/document/c03653226

>> https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03736054

Hope this makes a difference.

Also, if you insert only the SSD, restart the PC and try to boot from it (F9 for bootable device), what do you see - do you see it listed there ?