Do I need to initialize/format my 250 gb Samsung SSD before cloning my HDD to my SSD?

[tobidreng]

As the title says, I'm wondering whether or not I have to initialize my disk (http://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=1018#win7) (the SSD) and then create a partition (http://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=3865#win7) before I start cloning my HDD to my SSD?

Btw, there is nothing installed on the SSD as my friend recently has deleted everything on it (formatted) as I previously tried to do a fresh Windows install, which didn't work as I somehow couldn't get the drivers installed.

 

[mcnumpty23]

probably not since its been formatted already

 

[tobidreng]

probably not since its been formatted already

Ok, but how can I check if it's been "properly" formatted?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, @tobidreng!

I'd advise you make a backup of the data on the HDD somewhere off-site before you begin the cloning procedure. Having a duplicate of the files stored elsewhere is the surest way to avoid any potential data loss in the process. It might also be a good idea to make a recovery OS disk, if you don't have one already (just in case).

Since this is a brand new un-initialized SSD, I'd definitely recommend you initialize it prior to beginning the cloning process. The formatting itself could be skipped since the cloning software should re-format it automatically and recreate the partitions from the HDD during the process.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[tobidreng]

Hey there, @tobidreng!

I'd advise you make a backup of the data on the HDD somewhere off-site before you begin the cloning procedure. Having a duplicate of the files stored elsewhere is the surest way to avoid any potential data loss in the process. It might also be a good idea to make a recovery OS disk, if you don't have one already (just in case).

Since this is a brand new un-initialized SSD, I'd definitely recommend you initialize it prior to beginning the cloning process. The formatting itself could be skipped since the cloning software should re-format it automatically and recreate the partitions from the HDD during the process.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

Thanks for your comment, but how do I backup the data on the HDD? Is it fine to just copy paste stuff from it to my external drive?

So before I start the cloning proces, I should start by connecting the SSD to my pc and then initialize it. After that I should start the cloning proces, right?

 

[USAFRet]

For a successful clone:
1. How much total used data is on the current C drive?
2. How much of that is games?
3. How much of that is Doc/Music/funny cat videos?

For your 250GB SSD, you must have that used space below 200GB.

 

[USAFRet]

Once you have the size thing worked out, steps here:

(initialize that drive first)
-----------------------------
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
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 original boot partitions, 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
-----------------------------

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Thanks for your comment, but how do I backup the data on the HDD? Is it fine to just copy paste stuff from it to my external drive?

So before I start the cloning proces, I should start by connecting the SSD to my pc and then initialize it. After that I should start the cloning proces, right?

Copy/pasting data onto and from the external drive is a backup, so you should be good to go, @tobidreng. Just remember to always have duplicates of your most important files stored in different storage locations.
As for the cloning procedure I'd advise you to check this pretty detailed tutorial on How to migrate your OS to an SSD.
Just keep in mind that you don't necessarily need to use the suggested cloning software in the tutorial, you can go with the one you already have installed or the cloning utility that came with the SSD, it's entirely up to your preference.

Hope it helps you. Keep us posted if you have more questions!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[tobidreng]

For a successful clone:
1. How much total used data is on the current C drive?
2. How much of that is games?
3. How much of that is Doc/Music/funny cat videos?

For your 250GB SSD, you must have that used space below 200GB.

Right, but is it nescessary to initialize or format my SSD before I start cloning it? My friend just deleted everything on it (formatted it as he told me) because I originally screwed up by first installing windows on it and THEN cloned it which made me unable to use it (I would get a black screen and A2 error when trying to boot with it connected).

 

[mcnumpty23]

if you have it connected to your pc and it shows up as drive D etc then it doesnt need initialised

if it doesnt appear as drive D etc then it needs initialised

 

[USAFRet]

Right, but is it nescessary to initialize or format my SSD before I start cloning it? My friend just deleted everything on it (formatted it as he told me) because I originally screwed up by first installing windows on it and THEN cloned it which made me unable to use it (I would get a black screen and A2 error when trying to boot with it connected).

If it was working in a previous system, no. There is nothing you need to do except start the clone process outlined above.

 

[tobidreng]

Thanks for your help, but unfortunately I must report that my friend's formatting of the drive hasn't helped. Whenever I connect my SSD to my pc and try to boot up, I get the A2 error in the corner and the screen is completely black. However, when I remove the SSD and boot up with my HDD it works normally. Strangely enough, my SSD could connect to my friend's PC but not mine. Is it because of my motherboard?
I tried connecting my SSD to different sata cables etc, but it didn't help.

What should I do in order to bypass/fix this "A2 error"?

It has shown this error ever since I first installed a fresh windows version on my SSD like a year ago. And as I couldn't get the drivers working I decided to start cloning it. A2 error has appeared ever since.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for your help, but unfortunately I must report that my friend's formatting of the drive hasn't helped. Whenever I connect my SSD to my pc and try to boot up, I get the A2 error in the corner and the screen is completely black. However, when I remove the SSD and boot up with my HDD it works normally. Strangely enough, my SSD could connect to my friend's PC but not mine. Is it because of my motherboard?
I tried connecting my SSD to different sata cables etc, but it didn't help.

What should I do in order to bypass/fix this "A2 error"?

It has shown this error ever since I first installed a fresh windows version on my SSD like a year ago. And as I couldn't get the drivers working I decided to start cloning it. A2 error has appeared ever since.

At this point, I think a Secure Erase (from Samsung) would be in order.
From the Samsung Magician, you create a bootable DVD or USB.
Boot from that and Secure Erase that drive
Assuming success, then you would need to initialize
Then you can try the clone thing again.