Windows 10: Transfering Windows to SSD, from bios to EFI, possible malware mitigation

I have a 8 tb HDD + 6 TB HDD + 1TB SSD. The C and D drive with possible malware in the D drive in the 6TB HDD, and Z drive in the 1TB SSD. Currently booting in Bios, but I think I can boot with EFI if I configure this correctly.I need to move the data on the 1TB SSD Z drive to the 8 terabyte hdd because it's data I need to keep, and install new Windows on the SSD and transfer the license from the old HDD without pulling any possible malware into the new HDD.I do know I need to format the new drives into GPT partition table but I need to know the rest of the process to transfer the Z drive on

:)

 

MSI's First EFI BIOS, More Now Available

MSI has launched the first EFI BIOS based motherboard "P45D3 Platinum & P45 Platinum". EFI, Extensible Firmware Interface, is intended to replace the legacy BIOS firmware interface used by current PCs. It offers a new and more flexible enviroment that supports colorful graphical interfaces, multiple languages and has mouse support. The EFI BIOS will encourage users to experience the full potential of MSI motherboards. Even at this early stage MSI has seen excellent OC potential using the current generation of MSI motherboards in combination with EFI BIOS.

New Type of Graphics BIOS Settings

MSI has started to adapt EFI into its next generation motherboard platform. The ability to use a GUI and mouse provides the opportunity to fully experience the possibilities of MSI motherboards. EFI also supports LAN, pre-OS applications such as live update, games, instant messenger, media player and a browser. Microsoft will add EFI support to the x64 versions of Windows Vista with Service Pack 1.

What is EFI BIOS?

The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. EFI is intended as a significantly improved replacement of the old legacy BIOS firmware interface historically used by all IBM PC compatible PCs. The EFI specification was originally developed by Intel, and is now managed by the Unified EFI Forum and is officially known as Unified EFI (UEFI).

Benefits of EFI BIOS:

• Supports graphical menus and features
• Supports mouse-controlled interface
• Supports pre-OS applications, file oriented (ex: System
• recovery, games, media player, Internet browser, etc.)
• Supports multiple languages
• UEFI support for x64 versions of Windows Vista are included in Service Pack 1

To find out more and download MSI Click BIOS for you P45 Platinum based motherboard, visit this page!

Source: MSI

 

[SOLVED] Windows System Backup USB Restore is Not EFI Bios compatible.

original post here:

Redirecting

answers.microsoft does Not allow to Edit title or post after x months...

Anyway....

found a solution...

problem was that Win8.1 was originally installed in a BIOS board from 2010, X58 chipset,

that does Not have EFI.

EFI became popular in 2013

EFI is required for large 8TB drives,

booting from M.2 NVMe....

EFI is a must have...

there is an EFI emulator bootloader for older boards, but thats another story...

BIOS board boots to USB emulator, and from USB EFI emulator boots to M.2 NVMe drive with EFI boot partition.

problem was that my Win8.1 was installed in a BIOS machine, and had BIOS only Boot partition.

Windows8.1 allows to install Bios, EFI or Both in Boot partition.

when moving Windows to a new drive using the Windows USB Recovery tool,

does Not allow to move,

IF Windows USB Recovery is booted in a EFI machine, and the source Windows HDD has BIOS boot partition.

Easy fix...

boot Windows USB Recovery in a BIOS machine or New machine in Legacy BIOS mode,
if moving windows from hdd to another hdd or ssd

or...

boot Microsoft Recovery USB in any machine EFI or BIOS,

go to command line,

list, select and delete the BIOS boot partition only, in Diskpart

it´s less than 500MB size, usually 1st on the drive, easy to see...

leave the other large partition untouched,

create a New boot partition to replace the deleted boot partition, with

option /EFI or /ALL "Bios+EFI"

/ALL does Not seem to work in MacPro 4,1 5,1 2009 2010 2012

need to do more tests.

Mac has EFI, but Windows boots ok with a Bios Boot partition.

Anyway...

Old HDD with New EFI boot partition, does Not boot in old BIOS board.

requires EFI usb boot emulator.

or...

a New board with Native EFI support.

old boards can boot much faster with NVMe

using EFI boot emulator,

and moving Windows8.1 to M.2 NVMe drive

with a M.2 to PCIe card from startech, abracon, syba, owc, sonnet, highpoint, etc....

1600MB/s speed minimum, with TLC or MLC, Not QLC

2500MB/s if PCIe card has a chip AS####

card with chip is much more $$$,

standard PCIe to M.2 is less than $30usd.

with chip it´s from $200usd. to $1000usd.

depending on the amount of M.2 slots on the card:

2xM2 or 4xM2, 8xM2

if PCIe v3.0 or PCIe v4.0

etc...

HDD with Windows8.1x64 can be moved to a New SSD or M.2

using the Microsoft USB Recovery tool very safe..

M.2 NVMe drive requires to delete the old Bios boot partition and create a New EFI boot partition.

DONE..

P.D.

Legal OEM Windows, can only be activated 1x time...
Boxed Full Retail version or Microsoft Store Purchased full virtual full license
can be moved as many times as you want..
can be Re Activated unlimited times in different boards, 1 at a time,
but Only with different Hardware.
cannot be forced to be Re Activated with same Hardware.
unless you Change Product Key in System,

risking Windows install.

required steps:

Windows System Image Backup & Restore works flawless, BUT... Not easy...

Requires:
1x USB drive 2GB or more 4GB, 8GB, maybe 1GB works.
1x HDD empty Backup drive: 1TB 2.5" 5400rpm works ok SATA-III or USB3.0
1x Empty New Target Disk: my case was: Seagate ST1000LM049 2.5" 1TB 7200rpm.
1x source system disk, my case: WD 500GB 2.5" 7200rpm.

Source hdd must be removed Before booting from USB Windows Restore boot drive.

to create the Backup of Windows,

to create the USB recovery drive

W8.1:

click:
Control Panel / System Security / File History / System Image Backup / Create a System Image Backup
to 1TB or more external USB3.0 HDD formatted in NTFS.

them click:

Restore / Create a Restore USB drive.

in a empty USB 1GB or more drive / pen / usb stick.

Limits:

1. if Source hdd with Windows was installed in a BIOS board,

USB System Restore Does Not work in EFI Board.

Option A)

find an old BIOS board with SATA-III 6Gbps

to do the transfer from HDD to SSD only, No M.2.

or...

Option B)

Diskpart in USB recovery command line

list, select and delete the BIOS boot partition, 500MB size or less

do Not Clean the HDD, i repeat:

do Not type Clean, Never,

Clean will erase everything.

after deleting the old Bios Boot partion,

create a New partition with /EFI or /ALL "EFI+BIOS dual boot"

2. Target disk must be disk0 = you need to move sata cables turned off or Bios options, reboot as needed,

thats why source HDD must be removed before, and is better to backup windows to external USB3.0 drive.



3. Target disk must be: Clean,

> Diskpart in command line from USB Windows Recovery drive.



4. Target disk must be selected before executing: Clean command.

> Diskpart list disk
select disk0
list partition
select partition 1
list volume
Clean
exit

Option B:
EaseUS Migrate OS feature from Partition Master 15.0 looks easy,
but Not Free $$$.
looks more simple,

probably has same Bios / EFI problem,
Does Not require USB drive and 1x extra Backup HDD.
*More Risky.

Haven´t tested.

EaseUS Disk Copy is very bad, but Partition Master 15.0 is very good,

better that Windows Disk Management.

gparted usb boot drive nor windows usb recovery drive is Not required to Clean drives "hidden partitions".

the only strange thing is that NTFS formatted with Gparted has smaller hidden system files 100MB, vs. Partition Master 15.0 NTFS formatted drive has 200MB hidden system files..
maybe gparted creates an older NTFS version.

Conclusion;
Windows8.1x64 is working flawless now,

Long Live Windows8.1x64

there are YouTube videos explaining how to create a EFI boot partition using the Windows USB recovery drive.

in command line.

 

SSD Crucial Bx 100 - rattling/vibrating. Possible?

This has been suggested several times already, and it has been suggested you try to move the SSD, remove it, or even suspend it in your case. Will you please try one of these?

If you don't understand vibration and resonance, please refer to @dorsetknob 's post above. *Smile It has been explained that something else moving/vibrating (even if you don't think they're vibrating they are...), fans, hard disk drives, and anything with a motor will cause some form of vibration at certain frequencies. This can be transfered through your case's chassis and where you mounted your SSD could be reaching a certain frequency that causes it to slightly move and rattle against the case.

We are suggesting you take action and report back..you keep asking questions from step 1...we should be on step 4 by now...that is solution.

Try what has been suggested and report back please. Otherwise all you're doing is leading this thread in an endless circle and the help will stop shortly thereafter.

*Toast :toast: