I restored onto a new SSD using Acronis True Image Home, but it won't boot; how do I make the system boot from the new SSD?

Solution 1:

If Windows isn't attempting to boot at all, I would first try repairing the system partition manually. This can be done in much the same procedure you would use after restoring a WIM. See using imagex

1. Boot into Windows PE from either PE media you have prepared earlier, or from a windows installer disc. If using the installation media method, you want to open the command prompt. I think there is a way to access this through the wizard following the 'repair' steps, but you should be able to just press shift+F10 on the 'select disk' page of the windows new installation wizard to open the command prompt.
2. Run DISKPART by typing DISKPART.
3. From the disks listed, identify the disk which is the new SSD.
4. Type 'Select Disk 0' where '0' is the desired disk id.
5. Now type 'List Volume' to list the partitions.
6. Identify the windows partition and the system partition.
7. Type 'Select Volume 0' where '0' is the windows partition.
8. Type 'Assign Letter='W'' to give it drive letter W (don't worry, this won't change it from C drive in Windows when booted successfully).
9. Type 'Select Volume 1' where '1' is the system partition.
10. Type 'Assign Letter='S'' to give it drive letter S
11. Type 'active'
12. Exit Diskpart by typing 'exit'
13. Now run 'W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot W:\Windows /l en-US /s S:', note that you may need to modify this command in accordance with the BCDboot options.
14. Reboot.

This can be a temperamental process as there is a lot of variables, but if you search for how to restore a WIM file to a hard drive, and study the post-restore process to create the system partition, you will probably have success.

If this procedure fails, make sure that your backed up image does actually include a system partition. If you don't have 2 partitions, or the alleged system partition isn't formatted, you may need to create it with the remaining space. You should be able to isolate the steps needed from the procedure detailed here. It will be an additional two commands in disk part before you assign the drive letter 's'. Something like 'create partition primary size=100' and format FS=NTFS LABEL="System Volume" QUICK'. Don't forget to make the system partition active.

Good luck :).

Solution 2:

How to Repair the MBR

1. Boot into the Windows 7 Repair Disk
2. Select your language, then select "Repair your Computer"
3. The disk will search for Windows Installation, in which case it should find nothing, then select the first radio button(Use recovery options...) and hit Next
4. Once you get to "Startup Recovery Options," select Command Prompt
5. At the prompt enter: C:
6. Then: bootrec.exe /FixMbr
   This will repair the master boot record
7. Reboot
8. If you are still unable to boot into windows enter this command aswell bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd

Solution 3:

Step 1: Recover Partition - From PC with windows installation

1. In Acronis True Home, choose to recover the backup partition.
2. Select the drive you wish to recover to under "Choose Recovery Destination"
3. Go into Partition Properties and change type to Primary Active
4. Click OK and recover the partition

Step 2: BCD Deployment - From PC with windows installation

1. Install EasyBCD free version
2. Once partition is recovered in Acronis, Open Easy BCD and go to the BCD Deployment button
3. Select the partition you want from the dropdown menu
   note: you may need to go into computer management and give it a drive letter
4. Click Install BCD and follow the prompts

Step 3: Startup Repair - From original PC

1. Put the drive into the PC that it is intended for
2. Insert Windows RE disk or install disk
3. When disk loads up you should receive a prompt to repair an error
4. Restart and boot into windows