[SOLVED] Need to transfer data from one hdd to other

Dec 31, 2020
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I am having a alienware m18x r2 with 256x2 SSD configured with raid 0. i am planning to upgrade the hard driver capacity to 512x2 or 1tb x 2 i was wondering how i restore all the OS and other data to my new hdd can anyone help me with the steps in details on how to do this.
also please include the steps on how to create a Raid 0
 
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I used this for gaming mostly. currently since the WFH started its become my office PC need to transfer lots of Software and stuff. if i change it. thats the reason asked for a data migration.
OK...

You can try.
I'm just thinking that there are some behind the scenes configurations in the original alienware config, and in the BIOS. May interfere.

But, try the clone operation.
This has another SATA port on the motherboard, right?
Get a 1 or 2TB SATA III SSD, and....


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Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or...

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
I am having a alienware m18x r2 with 256x2 SSD configured with raid 0. i am planning to upgrade the hard driver capacity to 512x2 or 1tb x 2 i was wondering how i restore all the OS and other data to my new hdd can anyone help me with the steps in details on how to do this.
Why not an SSD instead of faffing around with the RAID 0?
Faster, and less hassle and fail potential.


Wait...these are already SSD?
Ditch the RAID 0 completely.
Just get 1x 1TB SATA III SSD, and continue.

There is basically zero user facing benefit for RAID 0 + SSD.
 
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Dec 31, 2020
4
0
10
Why not an SSD instead of faffing around with the RAID 0?
Faster, and less hassle and fail potential.


Wait...these are already SSD?
Ditch the RAID 0 completely.
Just get 1x 1TB SATA III SSD, and continue.

There is basically zero user facing benefit for RAID 0 + SSD.

Thanks....thats sounds good i will ditch it and instead i can use 2 drives independently.
Can you help me how do i migrate the data and OS from old drive to new one
 
Dec 31, 2020
4
0
10
Migration from a RAID 0 to a single.
You can try, but the RAID concept might screw it up for future use.

This RAID is instantiated in the BIOS, through the motherboard?
Migration from a RAID 0 to a single.
You can try, but the RAID concept might screw it up for future use.

This RAID is instantiated in the BIOS, through the motherboard?


Not sure about it. this is in as is condition bought from the manufacturer never fiddled it even once.
 
Dec 31, 2020
4
0
10
How long has it been since the last full OS reinstall?
What do you use this system for?

I'd seriously consider a clean install on a whole new drive, rather than trying to migrate an Alienware RAID 0 to a single drive.

I used this for gaming mostly. currently since the WFH started its become my office PC need to transfer lots of Software and stuff. if i change it. thats the reason asked for a data migration.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
I used this for gaming mostly. currently since the WFH started its become my office PC need to transfer lots of Software and stuff. if i change it. thats the reason asked for a data migration.
OK...

You can try.
I'm just thinking that there are some behind the scenes configurations in the original alienware config, and in the BIOS. May interfere.

But, try the clone operation.
This has another SATA port on the motherboard, right?
Get a 1 or 2TB SATA III SSD, and....


-----------------------------
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
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)
If you are cloning from a SATA drive to PCIe/NVMe, install the relevant driver for this new NVMe/PCIe drive.
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

If you are going from a smaller drive to a larger, by default, the target partition size will be the same as the Source. You probably don't want that
You can manipulate the size of the partitions on the target (larger)drive
Click on "Cloned Partition Properties", and you can specifiy the resulting partition size, to even include the whole thing

Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the 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 all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
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If it fails to boot up with ONLY the new drive, I suspect it would be due to the existing RAID 0 config.
 
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