Alienware x51 HDD to SDD hard drive replacement - data cloning

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christymoceri

christymoceri

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Oct 30, 2017
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Hi, I know nothing about computer hardware. But my Alienware has been getting a ''SMART status failed, backup and replace'' message on bootup which indicates hard drive failure is imminent. I love my machine, so I figured I might as well upgrade to a 1TB Samsung EVO SSD.

Since I'm going for a full replacement, I think it's as simple as using a 2.5'' adapter carriage in the original HDD slot. Is that right?

Assuming that's the case, where does that fit with cloning the hard drive to transfer it to the new SSD? My hard drive hasn't failed yet, so I should be able to transfer the Windows 10 data still. Most guides I have seen (like this one: https://www.howtogeek.com/97242/how-to-migrate-windows-7-to-a-solid-state-drive/) say the SSD can be installed ''alongside'' the HDD for transfer, but that's typically when adding the SSD as additional storage, not using it to replace the HDD altogether. Is there a way to temporarily use that process to install an SSD alongside the HDD, transfer the data to the new drive using something like EaseUS ToDo Backup, and then replace the HDD altogether? Or is that too convoluted? Should I just install it alongside and leave it there, even though the old drive is bad? I bought all the cables required for that as well.

Maybe I should just cut my losses, simply replace the drive, and do a clean Windows Install. Either way, I'm pretty far out of my element.

Thanks for your input.

-Christy
 
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A
1. Hopefully the OS on your present boot HDD that's failing hasn't been corrupted as a consequence of the mechanical/electronic failing of that drive.

2. Presumably (although you didn't say) the system boots & properly functions other than the "failing" message you've received.

3. That being the case it's important that you do comprehensively back up the system A/S/A/P. (You should have been routinely doing this even when your system was working without problems. It's incumbant upon a user to create & maintain comprehensive backups of one's system from time-to-time so that in the event of disaster striking, the user has the means to return the system to a bootable functional one. So keep that in mind.)

4. So give the disk-cloning...
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ArtPog

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Sep 17, 2014
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1. Hopefully the OS on your present boot HDD that's failing hasn't been corrupted as a consequence of the mechanical/electronic failing of that drive.

2. Presumably (although you didn't say) the system boots & properly functions other than the "failing" message you've received.

3. That being the case it's important that you do comprehensively back up the system A/S/A/P. (You should have been routinely doing this even when your system was working without problems. It's incumbant upon a user to create & maintain comprehensive backups of one's system from time-to-time so that in the event of disaster striking, the user has the means to return the system to a bootable functional one. So keep that in mind.)

4. So give the disk-cloning operation a shot. (I assume the 1 TB SSD you plan to purchase will be large enough to contain the total contents of your present HDD.) Should things not work out as a result of the disk-cloning operation, you can always fresh-install the Win 10 OS onto the SSD.

5. The EaseUS Todo program is used by many PC users. It should do the trick.

6. Remember - THIS IS IMPORTANT - that following the d-c operation disconnect the HDD from the system and with the newly-cloned SSD as the ONLY drive in the system boot to it and determine all is well and the system properly functions. ONLY THEN should you return the HDD to the system where it will function as a secondary drive.

7. Of course if the HDD is failing - it should be checked out by a HDD diagnostic program - possibly one from the drive's manufacturer (they're generally available) or another diagnostic program and it's confirmed the drive IS failing, then it should not be installed in the PC. Rather, discarded.
 
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christymoceri

christymoceri

Prominent
Oct 30, 2017
8
0
510
Thank you!

Yes, the system currently boots and functions without a problem. I'm hoping to replace it before it fails. The OS has been acting a little wonky, particularly when I run games, but I can't say for sure that's related to hard drive issues as I've never experienced them before. Certainly, the machine is running more slowly.

I'm backing up the system now. I'm terrible about doing that regularly, but I also don't store important documents on my PC. I use it primarily for gaming and to run my remote desktop for work. I almost exclusively use Dropbox to store important files and I semi-regularly back up my super important Dropbox documents (like drafts of my novels) onto a flash drive. This is why I'm wondering if it would make more sense just to do a clean install of Windows 10 and forget about cloning.

Before I replace the hard drive I'm going to create a Windows system restore disk. After I have everything functioning properly I think I'm going to invest in something like BackBlaze to regularly back up my hard drive AND Dropbox files automatically. It's a little redundant but when it comes to my writing I'm a bit paranoid. I can't replace 1,000 hours of labor.

The only PC data I'm really worried about losing is my gaming data (Skyrim and Diablo III mostly), but I'm pretty sure Steam saves all my progress. So maybe I'm making this more complicated than it has to be.

1 TB should be plenty of space. Probably too much.

Question about 6. You make it sound like I should be keeping the HDD connected as a secondary drive even though it's failing. Wouldn't it make more sense to just replace the whole thing and install the SDD in its place? I bought a 2.5'' adapter carriage to do that. Is there any real advantage to leaving a bad drive connected?

Thanks very much for your time.


 
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ArtPog

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Sep 17, 2014
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Well it sounds like you're certainly on the right track re your proposed backup strategy. The crucial element is to select such that meets your specific needs.

We utilize a disk-cloning program (not EaseUS) to routinely comprehensively backup our systems, so for all practical purposes we have a bit-for-bit copy of the drive we have cloned. (We prefer our backups "at home" so to speak - our choice). We employ the disk-cloning program both on a automatic scheduled basis (e.g., 3 AM each day) as well as a manual basis when circumstances dictate.

The important, nay crucial thing, is that a PC user employ whatever backup strategy meets his/her needs so that when disaster does strike in the form of a failed boot (or other) drive or the system's OS becomes so corrupt as a result of malware, misconfiguration, or any other reason, the user has the means at hand to easily and relatively quickly return their system to a bootable functional state,
 
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