Unsolved
6 Posts
0
2633
Macrium clone or image?
Hi,
I have a 128g SK Hynix SC311 SATA SSD which has is out of space and which I would like to swap out for a bigger SSD. I would like to keep everything I have on the current SSD now to move to the new SSD (I do not want to reinstall Windows from scratch). I have a 2TB hard drive where I pretty much store all my apps, images, documents etc
I downloaded Macrium Reflect to perform a clone of my current SSD to my 2TB hard drive but stopped short when it said it would wipe all existing data from my hard drive which is not what I want. Would making an image serve the same purpose as the clone when making the switch and placing the data to the new SSD?
All in all I would like to:
- Remove current SSD
- Replace current SSD with new SSD (970 EVO Plus) - I have this ready
- Move information from current SSD to new SSD in order to use my PC in the way I am now.
I did see a reply on a different thread here which mentioned creating an image in Macrium however the link provided was instructions on how to clone.
I should also add the reason I ask is really do to with booting up post SSD change. I would like to avoid cloning to an external hard drive as I've read that Windows cannot boot from a USB-connected drive.
FYI - I have an Inspiron 5680 and I'm currently using Windows 10.
Thanks In advance!
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
May 15th, 2022 12:00
@TopOne2
move the M2 SSD into an adapter so that you can put in a dock.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QPZSB1Y/
New SSD must be the same as OLD if you want to clone aka it must be SATA.
So rather than use SATA M2 use regular SATA 2.5 SSD.
Before you change anything you should switch from F2 SATA Operation RAID ON to AHCI.
That way you can clone old to new offline then boot from the new as though nothing happened.
https://www.amazon.com/SSK_Duplicator/dp/B07WS59SP4/
Crucial MX500 SSD B0786QNS9B
TopOne2
6 Posts
0
May 16th, 2022 10:00
Thank you for the feedback. I already have the m2 and would like to use that really so if a clone won't work I'll avoid that. What about creating an image instead?
Failing that I may just consider a clean Windows install.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
1
May 16th, 2022 11:00
Use Macrium to image (not clone) all partitions on the current SSD, saving that image on your internal 2T HDD or on an external USB HDD. You can use Max compression in Macrium, if you need to use less space on the HDD where the image will be stored, but it may take a little longer to create the image with Max compression. Also be sure to select the option to Validate the image as soon as it's created before starting the process.
Then use Macrium to create the bootable USB stick you'll need to boot the PC after you remove the current SSD. Now swap in the new SSD and set the old one safely aside.
Boot the PC by plugging the Macrium USB into PC with power off. Power on and start tapping F12 to open the boot menu. Select the option to boot from USB. Follow the prompts to move a copy of your image from the 2T HDD onto the new SSD.
The important thing you must do while moving your image onto the new SSD is reorder and resize the C: partition to use all the extra space on the SSD. Macrium can only resize the last partition copied onto the new SSD so that has to be the C: partition. Read/follow the instructions carefully at that link...
TopOne2
6 Posts
0
May 20th, 2022 14:00
Thank you SO much. I will also make an image of the SSD on to an external hard drive. I had a little trouble creating the rescue media so for anyone reading this, if you’re also having issues creating it with Macrium, disable your antivirus and try again.
I will change the SSD this weekend.
TopOne2
6 Posts
0
May 21st, 2022 09:00
Hi @RoHe
I seem to be stuck again. Hoping you or someone can help. I decided to test the Macrium rescue media before making the swap - just in case. With the rescue media usb already plugged in to the PC, I switched it on, pressed F12 and saw the usb option under the UEFI options. I selected the USB option and proceeded to select the language (US). The next page gave an option to ‘use a device’ which is what I selected. Once I selected that, the next page had only two options ‘Onboard NIC (IPV6)’ and ‘Onboard NIC (IPV4)’ but not my USB which appeared originally. Any ideas? I’ve looked around and some suggest to enable the legacy option but I’m not sure if that’s needed if the USB appeared under the UEFI options initially.
Any help is much appreciated!
I should mention I created the media on 2 different USBs (both with Macrium multi boot option enabled) and tried a front and back port and the results are still the same.
Also apologies in advance if a new thread is needed as this is related but not exactly the same issue. I can create a new one if needed.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
May 22nd, 2022 12:00
@TopOne2 - What are the other options on that BIOS screen where you're selecting 'use a device'?
Unfortunately, the online service manual doesn't list BIOS settings, so I don't know what BIOS options you have, so you'll have to look for yourself:
USB Boot support - If it's disabled, enable it and try booting with Macrium USB again. You'll have to let PC boot to desktop when you exit BIOS setup, shut off normally, then plug in Macrium USB and power on...
Legacy ROM Options - If you don't have USB Boot support option or enabling it doesn't help, enable Legacy and test again...
NOTE: When you enable Legacy, that will likely disable Secure Boot and TPM (PTT) in BIOS so remember to disable Legacy again, at least until next time you need to boot from USB. And keep in mind you'll also have to disable Legacy, and enable Secure Boot and TPM (PTT) again before trying to update to Win 11.
TopOne2
6 Posts
0
May 28th, 2022 17:00
Hi Ron,
Just wanted to say a thank you very much t you and Speedstep for your replies. I tried to enable legacy but my PC was having none of it. The bootable USB eventually showed up in the boot setting under legacy options once legacy was enable (secure boot disabled) but I was ultimately left with the message 'selected boot device failed' then a prompt to press any key to reboot the system. I then wasn't able to log in to windows which wasn't ideal but a few different 'chkdsk' commands sorted that so I'm reluctant to try that again.
I think I'll just get a NVME enclosure, image current to the new and then add the new to the PC.