Cloning Drives (SSD and HDD)

LightSpeedYT · Jul 16, 2018

Currently, I have a 500GB WD HDD and some super old ocz vertex 96gb SSD on an ASRock ab350m mobo. I am upgrading to a 2tb barracuda, adata xpg sx8200 240gb (M.2) on a gigabyte ab350 gaming 3. My first question is if the SSD is compatible with the mobo (i emailed gigabyte support so if no one knows then hopefully support will get back to me)

My next question is how do I clone the drives? I have heard that Adata does not have working cloning software, so what software should I use? I have heard of macrium reflect 7 free, but will I need a credit card for a free trial? Are there better programs? when I clone should I clone my system reserved partition? Should I unplug my HDD before cloning my SSD? Does it matter what SATA ports I use for my drives? when I clone my HDD should I use Seagate software?

Sorry for all the questions, I have done countless things with computers, but never have cloned a drive

If it matters here are pc specs:

ASRock ab350m (going to gigabyte ab350 gaming 3)
Ryzen 3 1200
1x8 GB 2666 Crucial Ballistix
EVGA GTX 1050
wd blue 500gb (to 2tb Seagate Barracuda)
ocz vertex 96gb (to xpg sx8200 240gb)

Thanks in advance - Zach

Rdslw · Jul 16, 2018

it will work as its nvme slot. sx8200 Should work (as you don't see some swearing on it on forums).
you can use most popular ones:
http://www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-2028061/free-drive-cloning-software.html

its best to keep only drives you want to clone (and pendrive OS) to avoid mistakes. Physical disconnection security tier is always 100% safe. it should not matter what ports as long as m.2 will not disable SATA port(it happens on some boards).
Seagate clonning is same as all others, might be faster for their drives. if you have it, best to use it.

USAFRet · Jul 16, 2018

What drive is the OS on?

Assuming the current C drive/partition is smaller than 200GB, cloning to the new 240GB ADATA SSD will work.

No, you do NOT need a credit card for the free version of Macrium.

The secondary drive does NOT need cloning. Simply copy/paste from the 500GB to the new 2TB Seagate. Ensure the Seagate ends up with the same drive letter the 500GB had.

These steps, exactly, for the cloning operation o the C drive:
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------

USAFRet · Jul 16, 2018

What OS is this?
Changing motherboards will incur some licensing issues.

If Win 10, Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Going from one AB350 to another AB350 motherboard probably will not require a full reinstall. Probably.

LightSpeedYT · Jul 16, 2018

USAFRet :

What drive is the OS on?

Assuming the current C drive/partition is smaller than 200GB, cloning to the new 240GB ADATA SSD will work.

No, you do NOT need a credit card for the free version of Macrium.

The secondary drive does NOT need cloning. Simply copy/paste from the 500GB to the new 2TB Seagate. Ensure the Seagate ends up with the same drive letter the 500GB had.

These steps, exactly, for the cloning operation o the C drive:
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------

so if I copy/paste my second drive, will programs installed on it, still be installed?

USAFRet · Jul 16, 2018

LightSpeedYT :

Clone the C drive first, via the above steps.
Then, connect the other ones and copy/paste.
It should work.

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