Transfer HDD to SSD

[rboon]

Hi i am currently trying to copy the data on my HDD to my SSD however i don't have enough space in my PC to connect my SSD at the same time as the HDD. i don't have any SATA to USB adapter either.

Does anyone know a way i can get round this?

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi i am currently trying to copy the data on my HDD to my SSD however i don't have enough space in my PC to connect my SSD at the same time as the HDD. i don't have any SATA to USB adapter either.

Does anyone know a way i can get round this?

Thanks.

What do you mean "not enough space" ?

1. Is this a desktop or laptop?
2. Is this the OS crive? The C drive?
3. How much consumed space on the current drive, and how large is the new SSD?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Hi i am currently trying to copy the data on my HDD to my SSD however i don't have enough space in my PC to connect my SSD at the same time as the HDD.

Connect both drives to a computer that has enough space.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Well you'll have to either buy an adapter or an external HDD enclosure if there's no place or room in the case for a second drive which I guess is what you mean.

Either that or borrow another PC which, without removing it's system boot drive, has room for two secondary drives temporarily to perform the cloning operation.

 

[USAFRet]

Well you'll have to either buy an adapter or an external HDD enclosure if there's no place or room in the case for a second drive which I guess is what you mean.

If this is a desktop, the SSD doesn't need to be "mounted".
Just leave it free on the bottom of the case while this operation is happening.
Mount it later, in the place where the HDD is.

If that is what he actually means.

 

[rboon]

Hi i am currently trying to copy the data on my HDD to my SSD however i don't have enough space in my PC to connect my SSD at the same time as the HDD.

Connect both drives to a computer that has enough space.

i was thinking that but i'm not sure i can get my hands on one

 

[rboon]

Well you'll have to either buy an adapter or an external HDD enclosure if there's no place or room in the case for a second drive which I guess is what you mean.

If this is a desktop, the SSD doesn't need to be "mounted".
Just leave it free on the bottom of the case while this operation is happening.
Mount it later, in the place where the HDD is.

If that is what he actually means.

This is what i meant yes, i might try and give it a shot.

 

[rboon]

Well you'll have to either buy an adapter or an external HDD enclosure if there's no place or room in the case for a second drive which I guess is what you mean.

Either that or borrow another PC which, without removing it's system boot drive, has room for two secondary drives temporarily to perform the cloning operation.

Ok thank you

 

[USAFRet]

Well you'll have to either buy an adapter or an external HDD enclosure if there's no place or room in the case for a second drive which I guess is what you mean.

If this is a desktop, the SSD doesn't need to be "mounted".
Just leave it free on the bottom of the case while this operation is happening.
Mount it later, in the place where the HDD is.

If that is what he actually means.

This is what i meant yes, i might try and give it a shot.

Assuming you have a SATA data cable and a free SATA port on the motherboard, that will work.

Now...

Is this the OS drive? If so, a simple copy/paste WILL NOT WORK.
Or are you trying to copy other data?

 

[rboon]

Well you'll have to either buy an adapter or an external HDD enclosure if there's no place or room in the case for a second drive which I guess is what you mean.

If this is a desktop, the SSD doesn't need to be "mounted".
Just leave it free on the bottom of the case while this operation is happening.
Mount it later, in the place where the HDD is.

If that is what he actually means.

This is what i meant yes, i might try and give it a shot.

Assuming you have a SATA data cable and a free SATA port on the motherboard, that will work.

Now...

Is this the OS drive? If so, a simple copy/paste WILL NOT WORK.
Or are you trying to copy other data?

I'm going to go with the external casing option. I would also be copying everything from my HDD including my OS

 

[USAFRet]

I'm going to go with the external casing option. I would also be copying everything from my HDD including my OS

For that, you must use a proper cloning application. Simple copy/paste will not work.


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)
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
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 as necessary.
Delete the 450MB Recovery Partition, 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
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