Drive Cloning Continuously Fails

[o2Fresh4u]

I'm attempting to clone my hard drive to an ssd (Samsung 1tb EVO 850). I've done this plenty of times without any issues. However, I'm currently working on a drive that won't cooperate.

Cloning Methods Used: 1) Acronis 11 Backup/Restore (Failed: error came up as "failed to read data from disk")

2) Samsung data migration tool (Failed: Cloning reached 58% and stopped. Tried a second time and clone reached 100% but would not move to completion screen. I forcefully shut the program down and attempted to boot from ssd. No luck.)

3) Any suggestions?? I have a feeling that the multiple disk partitions could be the problem.

Partition 1: System 200MB (Standard with windows) Partition 2: C drive 450 GB Partition 3: Data 25 GB Partition 4: Asus Recovery 25 GB

Months before I had used partition wizard to rearrange the partition between C: and Data. It was split at C: 250GB and Data 225GB.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, o2Fresh4u.

It sounds like it is possible that there might be an issue with the HDD or SATA cable/port. I'd recommend that you download the manufacturer's diagnostic tool (or a 3rd party diagnostic tool if the manufacturer doesn't offer one) and test the HDD with it, to see if anything out of the ordinary pops-up.
You could also try by connecting either the HDD to a different SATA port with a different SATA cable, or the SSD to see if this is causing the issue.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

 

[o2Fresh4u]

Thanks for the suggestion Boogie.

I've already tried using a different port. I even attempted to perform the clone on a separate computer by plugging in the 1tb Samsung ssd and backup drive. Same error.

I think you might be onto something with the HDD testing. What sort of third party software can I use?

Hey there, o2Fresh4u.

It sounds like it is possible that there might be an issue with the HDD or SATA cable/port. I'd recommend that you download the manufacturer's diagnostic tool (or a 3rd party diagnostic tool if the manufacturer doesn't offer one) and test the HDD with it, to see if anything out of the ordinary pops-up.
You could also try by connecting either the HDD to a different SATA port with a different SATA cable, or the SSD to see if this is causing the issue.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

 

[noidea_77]

Run checkdisk on all partitions of the source disk. That sounds like a problem with one of the file systems.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Thanks for the suggestion Boogie.

I've already tried using a different port. I even attempted to perform the clone on a separate computer by plugging in the 1tb Samsung ssd and backup drive. Same error.

I think you might be onto something with the HDD testing. What sort of third party software can I use?

Sure thing, mate. You can pick one (or more if you want "a second opinion") from this article here: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/tophddiag.htm
As for @noidea_77's suggestion, this is really not a bad idea, but you should definitely backup your data before that, because sometimes chkdsk might damage your data while fixing file system errors.

 

[hallohoegaathet]

You could try and use the trial period of HD Tune Pro. It works like a charm and reads all the SMART data well.
http://www.hdtune.com/

 

[o2Fresh4u]

I will try this.

Run checkdisk on all partitions of the source disk. That sounds like a problem with one of the file systems.

 

[Paperdoc]

Best HDD diagnostics, and free, is a suite from the manufacturer of your HDD, whichever company that is. IF it's WD, get their Data Lifeguard for Windows here:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=810&sid=3&lang=en

As long as your system can still boot into Windows, this app will do the job.

Similarly, if you HDD is from Seagate, get their Seatools for Windows here:

http://www.seagate.com/ca/en/support/downloads/item/seatools-win-master/

On the other hand, if you cannot boot your machine at all, you may need the "for DOS" version of one of those. A "for DOS" version is downloaded as an .iso image file - it is an image of a complete bootable CD. You need to have a CD burning utility like Nero to burn this file type to a blank CD-R. Then you set your BIOS to boot first from your optical drive, put your newly-burned CD in there, and boot from that disc. It loads its own mini OS so you don't need ANY functioning hard drive to use this. It gives you some info and a menu of diagnostic tools and utilities to do some repair work. Most of the diagnostics do NOT tough the data on your HDD. But some tools DO destroy data, and they will warn you before proceeding and ask for permission, so PAY ATTENTION to the messages.

The most common tools to use are the Short Test and Long Test, both aptly named. As you might expect, the Long Test is exhaustively thorough. If both of these tell you the HDD is problem-free, then it is. Otherwise consult the HDD maker's website or Tech Support and give them exact details of the error messages you get.

 

[ArtPog]

Can we assume since you haven't indicated otherwise, that the HDD boots & functions without any problems. And that you're able to access the boot & data partitions of that drive without any difficulty. So that your ONLY problem at this point is the failure of various disk-cloning operations you've undertaken. Are these assumptions correct?

If the preceding is so, what makes you think that you may be dealing with a corrupt or defective source disk? Prior to your undertaking the (failed) disk-cloning operation your system was performing without any problems, wasn't it? You've given no indication of anything to the contrary.

It's difficult to imagine that your prior partitions manipulation would affect the problem you're experiencing re the disk-cloning operation since you've indicated no problems with the system over a period of months since the partition merging exercise. Isn't that so?

Or have you been experiencing problems with the system prior to undertaking the disk-cloning operation?

There's certainly no harm in your utilizing a HDD diagnostic program to test your HDD. That's a given. One or more of the diagnostic programs recommended by previous responders to your query should be fine.

BTW, did you use the Samsung Magician program to test the EVO?

We've had a fair amount of experience using the Samsung Data Migration program with various systems over the past few years and we've found this program quite effective & reliable. Our experience has indicated that when the disk-cloning operation fails it's generally due to one of two factors...
1. The source disk is defective or corrupt as had been evident because the system had not been properly functioning prior to the disk-cloning operation, or,
2. User error in using the SDM program.
A third possibility, of course, is a defective SSD, however, we've run into that only once.

 

[o2Fresh4u]

I believe the drive manufacturer is Hitachi. Will the WD or seagate software work?

Best HDD diagnostics, and free, is a suite from the manufacturer of your HDD, whichever company that is. IF it's WD, get their Data Lifeguard for Windows here:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=810&sid=3&lang=en

As long as your system can still boot into Windows, this app will do the job.

Similarly, if you HDD is from Seagate, get their Seatools for Windows here:

http://www.seagate.com/ca/en/support/downloads/item/seatools-win-master/

On the other hand, if you cannot boot your machine at all, you may need the "for DOS" version of one of those. A "for DOS" version is downloaded as an .iso image file - it is an image of a complete bootable CD. You need to have a CD burning utility like Nero to burn this file type to a blank CD-R. Then you set your BIOS to boot first from your optical drive, put your newly-burned CD in there, and boot from that disc. It loads its own mini OS so you don't need ANY functioning hard drive to use this. It gives you some info and a menu of diagnostic tools and utilities to do some repair work. Most of the diagnostics do NOT tough the data on your HDD. But some tools DO destroy data, and they will warn you before proceeding and ask for permission, so PAY ATTENTION to the messages.

The most common tools to use are the Short Test and Long Test, both aptly named. As you might expect, the Long Test is exhaustively thorough. If both of these tell you the HDD is problem-free, then it is. Otherwise consult the HDD maker's website or Tech Support and give them exact details of the error messages you get.

 

[o2Fresh4u]

Artpog,

Thanks for the detailed response. The HDD has been functioning fine. I haven't seen any sign of failure. I will test the ssd tonight. Will report back asap.

Can we assume since you haven't indicated otherwise, that the HDD boots & functions without any problems. And that you're able to access the boot & data partitions of that drive without any difficulty. So that your ONLY problem at this point is the failure of various disk-cloning operations you've undertaken. Are these assumptions correct?

If the preceding is so, what makes you think that you may be dealing with a corrupt or defective source disk? Prior to your undertaking the (failed) disk-cloning operation your system was performing without any problems, wasn't it? You've given no indication of anything to the contrary.

It's difficult to imagine that your prior partitions manipulation would affect the problem you're experiencing re the disk-cloning operation since you've indicated no problems with the system over a period of months since the partition merging exercise. Isn't that so?

Or have you been experiencing problems with the system prior to undertaking the disk-cloning operation?

There's certainly no harm in your utilizing a HDD diagnostic program to test your HDD. That's a given. One or more of the diagnostic programs recommended by previous responders to your query should be fine.

BTW, did you use the Samsung Magician program to test the EVO?

We've had a fair amount of experience using the Samsung Data Migration program with various systems over the past few years and we've found this program quite effective & reliable. Our experience has indicated that when the disk-cloning operation fails it's generally due to one of two factors...
1. The source disk is defective or corrupt as had been evident because the system had not been properly functioning prior to the disk-cloning operation, or,
2. User error in using the SDM program.
A third possibility, of course, is a defective SSD, however, we've run into that only once.

 

[Paperdoc]

A quick check shows that Hitachi hard drives now are supported by HGST Storage, a subsidiary of WD. The Hitachi diagnostic application that runs under Windows is WinDFT. Download (and read instructions) here:

https://www.hgst.com/support/downloads#DFT

I would definitely advise using this, and not the WD or Seagate utilities. Some of these tools are very specifically designed for use with a particular maker's products.

 

[pewpetey]

sometimes i let my hdd cool down for a while

 

[o2Fresh4u]

I will try this. Is the windows disk check (chkdisk) utility not thorough? Thats what I used and nothing came up. Also, the SSD is functioning fine. I installed ubuntu to it and boots/operates perfectly. Someone mentioned that I must install the Samsung SSD drivers to the source HDD.

A quick check shows that Hitachi hard drives now are supported by HGST Storage, a subsidiary of WD. The Hitachi diagnostic application that runs under Windows is WinDFT. Download (and read instructions) here:

https://www.hgst.com/support/downloads#DFT

I would definitely advise using this, and not the WD or Seagate utilities. Some of these tools are very specifically designed for use with a particular maker's products.

 

[o2Fresh4u]

Installed ubuntu to the SSD and had no issues. The SSD seems to function fine.

Can we assume since you haven't indicated otherwise, that the HDD boots & functions without any problems. And that you're able to access the boot & data partitions of that drive without any difficulty. So that your ONLY problem at this point is the failure of various disk-cloning operations you've undertaken. Are these assumptions correct?

If the preceding is so, what makes you think that you may be dealing with a corrupt or defective source disk? Prior to your undertaking the (failed) disk-cloning operation your system was performing without any problems, wasn't it? You've given no indication of anything to the contrary.

It's difficult to imagine that your prior partitions manipulation would affect the problem you're experiencing re the disk-cloning operation since you've indicated no problems with the system over a period of months since the partition merging exercise. Isn't that so?

Or have you been experiencing problems with the system prior to undertaking the disk-cloning operation?

There's certainly no harm in your utilizing a HDD diagnostic program to test your HDD. That's a given. One or more of the diagnostic programs recommended by previous responders to your query should be fine.

BTW, did you use the Samsung Magician program to test the EVO?

We've had a fair amount of experience using the Samsung Data Migration program with various systems over the past few years and we've found this program quite effective & reliable. Our experience has indicated that when the disk-cloning operation fails it's generally due to one of two factors...
1. The source disk is defective or corrupt as had been evident because the system had not been properly functioning prior to the disk-cloning operation, or,
2. User error in using the SDM program.
A third possibility, of course, is a defective SSD, however, we've run into that only once.

 

[o2Fresh4u]

FINALLY SOLVED:

After exhausting all forms of cloning software I was ready to give up and simply reinstall windows. However, I read some good reviews on the apricorn cloning kit. Thought it was worth a shot at $20 bucks since I was primarily using free/older cloning solutions. IT WORKED! Saved me a lot of time and didn't have to repurchase lost serial keys (Office 2013 Pro Plus)...

http://www.amazon.com/Apricorn-Notebook-Upgrade-Connection-ASW-USB3-25/dp/B005C983NA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440223540&sr=8-1&keywords=apricorn+cloning+kit

Highly recommend for those experiencing cloning issues. ^^