Copying files from a Hard Drive to an external SSD

[Mike5525]

All I want to do is copy about 15 gigs of data from my hard drive (PC) to an external SSD drive (Samsung 850 Pro SSD). I bought a SATA cable/wire with a USB connection on one end, but the PC OS doesn't recognize the external SSD. The cable came with a CD; but I'm thinking the intent of the software on the CD doesn't have anything to do with what I want to use the SSD for. I don't want to clone anything... All I want to do is use the SSD as long-term file storage device.

How do you do that?

 

[Barty1884]

Is it recognized in the BIOS? If so, and it's just Windows that won't display it, open up Disk Management.
You may just need to assign it a drive letter.

 

[reedo_43]

Bios wont recognize it if it is connected via usb. You may have to allocate and format the drive first in disk management.

 

[johnmanth]

Do not format it unless you are 100% sure that this is the problem (it is very dangerous), try connecting the ssd to a usb port on the backplate, maybe the front-panel usbs are not even connected to the mob

 

[Barty1884]

Bios wont recognize it if it is connected via usb. You may have to allocate and format the drive first in disk management.

Why wouldn't the BIOS recognize it over USB? I've never had any issues seeing external, USB HDDs, SSDs or thumb drives in the BIOS.

 

[reedo_43]

I had a brain fart...

 

[Mike5525]

Do not format it unless you are 100% sure that this is the problem (it is very dangerous), try connecting the ssd to a usb port on the backplate, maybe the front-panel usbs are not even connected to the mob

I agree, and I'm not formatting anything until I know what I'm doing here. In the meantime, I did as you suggested, and the OS (Windows 10) still doesn't recognize the SSD.

 

[reedo_43]

Does disk management see it?

 

[Mike5525]

If by disk management you mean: Control Panel / Hardware and Sound / Devices and Printers........ The SATA 3 Wire is detected.

 

[reedo_43]

Right click on start button, click disk management. Or search for it.

 

[Mike5525]

Found "Disk Management" and then found what is described as a 238.35 GB device (ID'd as "Disk 1"), which I suspect is the SSD advertised as a 256 GB SSD (Samsung). Right-clicking on "Disk 1" and selecting Properties results in it being described as a "USB Mass Storage Device," and that it is "working properly."

 

[reedo_43]

Is it allocated? Has it been formatted? These things need to be done before windows will have access to it.

 

[Mike5525]

Is it allocated? Has it been formatted? These things need to be done before windows will have access to it.

No and no. I don't know what "allocated" means, and I've never formatted anything.

 

[reedo_43]

Does it say allocated space?

 

[Mike5525]

Does it say allocated space?

It says "Unallocated."

 

[reedo_43]

Then you need to right click on the free un-allocated space space and create volume and format the drive. I said this a bit ago but forgive you!

 

[Mike5525]

Then you need to right click on the free un-allocated space space and create volume and format the drive. I said this a bit ago but forgive you!

Being forgiven is about the best thing that's happened all day.

Ok, I'll see what I come up with here per your instructions. Thanks.
I'll report back either way it goes. Fingers are crossed.

 

[reedo_43]

Pretty much a no brainer. All new drives need this done before they can be seen and used by windows.

 

[Mike5525]

Sorry for the delay .... Had an unexpected surgery, believe it or not.
Just a note to thank you all, and tell you the format procedure on the SSD was a snap. Everything worked out just fine.
Special thanks to Reedo_43.

Mike