Can I clone my OS using Samsung Evo's Migration tool without a SATA to USB adapter?

[Dus]

First of all I want to thank the Storage forum for how helpful you all are, I asked a question earlier today and was humbled to get so many great replies within a matter of minutes!

My question - The desktop instructions for Samsung Evo SSD tell you to use an SSD-USB adapter first and install their Data Migration software to clone your OS.

I don't understand why I can't simply install the SSD inside the PC directly and do the data migration. Are the instructions more of a convenience thing or will the data migration fail without the USB based installation? I'm not sure if the software 'primes' the SSD in some way and if that is the reason why they want you to go the USB way. I do have some of the EaseUs Partition software installed in case that can get the job done without Samsung's software.

(as you may have guessed, I don't have an SSD-USB cable in any case and will need to wait a week or so if I really have to get one)

 

[ronintexas]

I have done it directly using SATA connectors in the PC. You have to set your boot order to the HDD then the SSD, run their migration software, and it should automatically change the boot order for you, but if it doesn't, manually change it.

 

[ronintexas]

The only time you need the SSD-USB adapter is if you have a Laptop that doesn't support multiple drives.

 

[Dus]

Thanks a lot, I was hoping that would be the case.

 

[Dus]

Just wanted to report that the method worked! So indeed there's no issues with just plugging the SSD straight inside the PC and cloning from there instead of using a SATA-USB adapter.

I was also able to run the cloned drive in AHCI mode with the Win 7 registry edit that I also found elsewhere on these forums.

 

[don69]

Does anyone know if Samsung's data migration software works on computers and hard drives/SSDs from other manufacturers?

 

[ronintexas]

You have to use a Samsung SSD - I tried it with another SSD, and it stated there were no supported SSD drives installed.

 

[don69]

That's too bad! But thanks for the info. Any suggestions on some other software I can use to clone a laptop HD to a new one via USB?

 

[ronintexas]

Acronis True Image is what I use. If you had a Western Digital hard drive - visit their website - there is a free download.

Acronis also has a free trial - http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/