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Question

Recovering a ssd using driveimage xml issues

Dec 18, 2011 3:20AM PST

I created an image of a fresh install of windows 7 back in april of a new 128gb ssd. The drive failed 6months later and they cannot get the same one so offered me a different one and the rest of my money back. The only problem is the new drive is 120gb so drive xml freaks out. I've adjusted the size in the drive_C.XML file and physical capacity to get around it freaking out but when it restores it just messes up the partition. Is there any other way around this or any other restore programs that can work with .xml's? My windows 7 is a student update from windows xp so it takes a weekend to get everything on and set-up with drivers and updates etc. I also think Ill have to buy the windows 7update again as it was a use one type program. Thanks for any help you can give

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Only a vague guess from me
Dec 18, 2011 3:54AM PST

I'm alerting your post to see if any of the experts can help, but in the meantime only a guess.

I know that cloning fails if the target drive is smaller than the source drive, so I am wondering if the same is true when attempting to restore from what is now a source drive to a smaller target drive. Acronis can do this, backup from one drive to a smaller drive, but not many other cloning systems.

What I mean is this;

Source copied, (cloned), to a new drive which is the same size or larger is fine.

Source cloned to a smaller drive fails.

Therefore, is the reverse true?

Restore from a source drive to a smaller drive fails?

It seems so from http://www.runtime.org/driveimage_faq.htm#smaller

You don't say what system you have, so I would ask if you can use a normal hdd which is larger than the original SSD?

Mark

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Reply to MarkFlax
Dec 18, 2011 4:44AM PST

Computer specs are as follows
Intel I5 2500k
8gig ram (cant remember what speed sorry)
ATI 3870 graphics card
Asus P67 Sabertooth Rev3.0 mobo
Windows 7 home (student update from xp version)
2x 750gig WD
1x 1TB Seagate
1x 120gb OCZ Agility

Ah ok so after reading that link drive xml can't put it on the smaller hdd :/ Is there any other programs which can use the image which its made? Ah actually that may be a long winded (still quicker than full reinstall by a long shot mind lol) but very plausible way if it would work. If I can shift enough around to get a hdd spare I could then put the image xml onto that. Then use acronis (does it still have a 15 or 30 free trail thing though?) to make an image of that, then use acronis to put the image back on the new ssd (I assume this is what you were getting at?)

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Answer
The long way around this.
Dec 18, 2011 6:49AM PST

1. Restore this to a bigger drive.
2. Then use ACRONIS to clone it to the smaller drive.

And yes, I've done this for someone. If it was mine, I would have left it on the big drive.
Bob