Steps to take before setting up a 10.10/Windows 7 dual boot system?

[loz_the_guru]

Hi All,

 

I've currently got Yosemite chugging along nicely, and want to get Windows 7 installed on a separate drive for gaming. I've got this setup currently, but want to change my windows install from an HDD to an SSD. Firstly, my setup:

 

First my hardware:

 

Gigabyte Z-87N-WIFI

Intel 45670K

Asus GTX 760

Corsair 1600 2x4GB

Corsair 430w CMX PSU

BX100 250GB SSD  - OS X install drive

WD 1TB HDD - 700GB HFS+ partition, 300GB NTFS Windows install partition

M4 Crucial 128GB SSD - Where I want to run Windows in the future.

Fractal Node 304 Case

OS X Version: 10.10.2

 

Firstly, in my current setup I have an odd issue - I can see the Windows install from the Clover bootloader screen, but when I select it I get a blinking black cursor. However, by exiting Clover my machine automatically defaults to the Windows partition and so loads normally. This has been fine up until now. 

 

The first thing I tried to do is clone the partition directly. Even though it is 300GB compared to the SSD's 128GB, only 70GB is in use. I used EaseUS to do this, and the process seemed to go fine, however I can't get it the drive to boot. The drive shows up in Clover, but neither selecting it or exiting clover gives the desired effect. Exiting gives me a 'Please insert bootable media' message, whereas selecting the drive gives the same flashing cursor as before.

 

So my question is two fold:

 

Firstly, is there anything else I can do to try and clone my existing windows install to the new drive? I have tried to shrink the partition in diskmgmt.msc, but can't get it down to 128GB (despite being only 70GB). Is there any other software which is worth looking at?

 

Secondly, if I install a fresh copy of Windows & thusly, am I going to screw up my clover install at all?

 

Steps:

1. Disconnect all drives apart from 128GB SSD

2. Disable UEFI in bios.

3. Boot Windows 7 via USB and install as normal to SSD.

4. Re-connect all drives, hopefully get everything working.

 

Sorry for the massive post, i'd really value any advice.