Windows 10: Should I Be Concerned and Extra Cautious

The ISO you downloaded recently from MSTechBench, version 1511, will activate using your W7 key (Pro for Pro). You could:

1. Clean install to the unused SSD and use the W7 keycode to activate, then reinstall all your programs.
2. Make a Macrium image of your W7 OS and "restore" it to the new SSD. Try to upgrade the new SSD to W10. That way, if it fails, you still have your old setup to fall back on.
3. Try Cloning the W7 OS to the unused SSD; then try upgrading the new SSD.

 

One thing you could try is putting an image on your internal SSD, connected directly to your motherboard, to see if it verifies. That way we can rule out any problem with your hot-swap dock.

 

Let's do this:

Hook up your empty SSD to your motherboard, and disconnect every other drive.
Have only keyboard, mouse and monitor connected to the machine.
Using the ISO you downloaded from MSTechBench, clean install W10 to the bare SSD (You can use a flash drive if you like).
Input your W7 key when it asks for one.
Get W10 up and running.

Check that it is activated: Start>Settings>Update & security>Activation

It should say Windows is activated with a digital license.

If you can get this done, you're all set and the pressure is off. *Wink

 

Would it be smart to update the firmware on this drive before starting the process?

I downloaded the x64 version tonight.

thanks

 

Yes! Always be completely updated - it's a must! *Smile

For the ISO to flash: You can use 7-zip to right-click the ISO and mount it, then copy all the files over to the flash drive. Also, the easiest way to get W10 on a flash drive is to use the Media Creation Tool and let that do it for you.
Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums

- So, update the FW on the empty SSD.

- Put the ISO on a flash drive.

USB Flash Drive - Create to Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

- Disconnect all drives except the new SSD.

- Boot to the flash drive and install, using your W7 key when it asks. Expect that to take approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

- Once installed, let it run for a few hours to "hydrate" (LOL - not my term, Microsoft's!)

- Verify it's activated (you can just type activation in the search box to get there). If it's not, give it a reboot or two.

- Turn off Fast Startup and turn on System Restore. Set a restore point.

Fast Startup - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

System Restore Point - Create in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

- Install Macrium and make an image and be sure to verify it. Create a W10 folder on your external drive in which to save it.

I have asked another member, @essenbe, to be available for you today, as I will be AFK. He will answer any questions you may have.

Good luck! *Smile

 

I'm subscribed. I'll help where I can.

 

Thanks essenbe!

 

Thank you both very much.

I have a pair of Crucial M550 SSDs, part of my plan to run them in RAID1 the way I ran XP. I gave that up and only use the one as my system disk.

Since I cannot presently image the system disk, I want to anticipate any potential problems in selecting which of the M550s gets the new firmware since both came with MU01 and MU02 is now the current firmware.

I found Loki's 'Tip'

Tip: Rename Hard Drive - Windows 7 Help Forums

and renamed the drives so that one is named Win 7 x64 System Disk and the other is Win 10 x64 System Disk.

I want to be reassured that I will see these names when I upgrade the firmware.

thanks,

 

As far as renaming the drives, it is always a good idea for many things, however I don't believe that you will see the names when doing firmware upgrades or in BIOS Boot configuration. You will see the drive names and model and possibly serial number. I have never done a Crucial drive, but I have done Samsung drives. It will usually show you the firmware version on each drive and possibly the Serial Number, so you won't get confused.

As far as Raid 1... I never advise Raid on personal computers. Raid 1 will seriously slow your performance down. Raid is also not a backup. I'm not sure you can do what I understand you are planning to do with a raid setup, without some 'fancy footwork', if you know what I mean. As I understand it, you are going to clean install 1 disk, clone it to the other disk and upgrade 1 of the disks, keeping the other disk as a backup in case of failure. Do I understand correctly?

 

I watched a video and see that the firmware upgrade is run from a bootable CD.

Should I just make the CD (verify it before using) and disconnect all but the empty SSD and run it?

Also, somehow I managed to install 7-zip so that it is not in the Start Menu. I found it in ZTreeWin and there are several executable files. Which one is the one to use?

thanks

 

The Crucial firmware upgrade uses an ISO and a bootable CD. See below (How To Idea)

I gave up on RAID1 in March 2014, but I have the hardware bought in anticipation. RAID1 is no longer important to me.

thanks

 

Use the 7zip file manager, open the ISO with the 7ZIP file manager and extract it to a USB drive. When you select extract, it should give you a search/dialogue box to select where to extract it to. Just find your USB drive.

I would burn the ISO to CD using the Windows 7 image burning program. You can have it verify the burn. You can leave all drives connected. All firmware upgrade disks I have used will only show it's own disks or only allow them to be upgraded. Or, you can just have the empty disk connected if you prefer. Personally, I don't think it will make a difference. Do you know how to boot from a CD drive?

 

At this point I cannot see how to run 7Zip...

I somehow managed to install it without pinning it to the Start menu or the Task Bar.





Which of the 3 do I use to access the 7Zip File Manager?

thanks

 

7zFM.EXE You can find it in C:\ProgramFiles\7-Zip

 

Sorry to be so slow, but I'm trying to be methodical.

I have the firmware program on a thumb drive. I unplugged all my drives save for the empty SSD. I had the thumb drive installed.

The boot sequence did not complete.

Perhaps this overprotective approach will not work?

I started the firmware install but got cold feet and quit.

thanks