Question:

“Could you provide guidance on resolving an issue where the OS migration wizard fails to launch due to the bootable volume and system volume being on separate disks? Specifically, this occurs when attempting to transfer the operating system from a SATA drive to a new M.2 drive. Additionally, setting the M.2 as the boot device in the BIOS does not allow Windows to boot. What steps can be taken to fix this?”

Answer:

When you’re upgrading your system with a new M.2 drive, transferring the operating system (OS) from an older SATA drive should be a straightforward process. However, complications can arise if the OS migration wizard refuses to launch because the bootable volume and system volume are located on different disks. This situation can also lead to difficulties in booting Windows after changing the boot device in the BIOS to the M.2 drive. Let’s explore some steps to resolve these issues.

Understanding the Problem

The OS migration wizard is designed to work when the system volume, which contains the OS, and the bootable volume, which the system uses to start up, are on the same disk. When these are on separate disks, the wizard may not function as expected. Additionally, simply changing the boot order in the BIOS might not solve the problem if the M.2 drive does not have the necessary boot information.

Step-by-Step Solution

1.

Backup Your Data

: Before making any changes, ensure all important data is backed up.

2.

Create a Bootable USB Drive

: Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with your current OS.

3.

Prepare the M.2 Drive

: Initialize the M.2 drive in Disk Management and format it to the same file system as your current system volume (usually NTFS for Windows).

4.

Clone the System Volume

: Use a disk cloning tool to clone your current system volume to the M.2 drive. Ensure that you clone the system reserved partition as well, as it contains crucial boot information.

5.

Modify Boot Sequence

: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS. Change the boot sequence to prioritize the M.2 drive.

6.

Repair Boot Information

: If Windows still doesn’t boot from the M.2 drive, use the bootable USB drive to access the recovery environment. Use command-line tools like `bootrec.exe` to repair the Master Boot Record (MBR) or Boot Configuration Data (BCD).

7.

Final Checks

: Once the boot information is repaired, restart your computer. Windows should now boot from the M.2 drive.

Conclusion

Transferring an OS from a SATA drive to an M.2 drive can be tricky if the migration wizard encounters volume discrepancies. By following the steps outlined above, you can manually overcome these hurdles and ensure a smooth transition to your new M.2 drive. Remember, if you’re not comfortable performing these steps yourself, it’s advisable to seek assistance from a professional.

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I hope this article provides a clear guide on how to address the migration issue. Remember to proceed with caution and always keep a backup of your data.