Copy or cloning hdd

[munzab]

Hi. just got my hands on a dell 9550. I want to try and install linux on it but i want to first of all copy the hdd and save it. that is, all partitions etc etc so that if i mess up or once i am done, i could get all of it back. i dont mind getting software if needed and can even buy specific hdd for it. i have a 512gb ssd on the 9550. thanks for your help

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, munzab.

Cloning would be the best option if you'd like to keep the drive in the exact same state along with the partition and everything else. However, you should also be able to create a recovery drive: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/instantanswers/3a747883-b706-43a5-a286-9e98f886d490/create-a-recovery-drive

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

 

[munzab]

thank you for the answer. just to confirm, the ssd (which is a pcie style small one) has a few partitions (dell recovery, windows, windows 100mb partition etc). does windows backup all of that?

i want to clone this to a hdd, then keep that (however the hdd will not fit in the laptop), so when the time comes to put it back on the original ssd in the laptop, how would i reverse it then?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Not sure about the manufacturer recovery partition. However, if you have one, you should be able to find a guide on how to create a recovery drive by using Dell's recovery partition. It should be able to bring your computer back to the exact same state as it was when you first got it. Contact the manufacturer's customer support if you need more info with that and how to do it.
As for the cloning process, if you clone the whole drive, the clone should have the exact same partitions and files, just as the source drive (your current SSD in this case).

As for the reverse process, it's not really a reverse, just clone the HDD over to the SSD again.

 

[boosted1g]

Use a cloning software like macrium reflect to image or clone the entire drive.

Create a boot disk after you do your cloning and then you can boot from the disk and you can copy the image from the HDD back to the ssd even though the HDD is an external.

 

[doh]

You can clone an ordinary HDD to a USB HDD with Easeus Disk Copy (Free), not sure about SSDs, send an email t Easeus support, through their website (chat not available for free products)

If you choose an appropriate HDD as your target for cloning to, if you mess up, you can just swap in the clone and will work again. Again, IDK about SSDs

Easeus sell a wide range of products for manipulating disks, I am sure they'll have something. (I am not recommending Easeus, it's something I am more familiar with than Macrium or Acronis etc)

Doh!
6.March.2017