Cloning between 2 drives

Daaaveee · 21 Apr 2016 at 09:40

Hi all,

Got a bit of an issue with my new build, the M.2 SSD from my laptop is too long for my new motherboard as it only accepts up to 80mm and mine is 110mm. I forgot to check! So now I'm looking to see how I can copy drives between each other. Our old systems are as follows:

Wifes Q6600 tower with a 250gb Samsung SSD
My i7 laptop with 250gb M.2 SSD and 1TB 2.5" HDD

The idea was for the Q6600 rig to be retired so therefore I would transfer my M.2 and 2.5" HDD from laptop to the new build and move the 250gb SSD from the Q6600 rig to the laptop. As the M.2 is too big, this now needs to stay in the laptop, and my wifes Samsung SSD will be used in my new build instead along with the 1TB HDD.

Now I need to figure out how to swap the data on the M.2 and Samsung SSD, is it possible to simply clone the data on each bootable drive between each other? Basically so they behave the same as before but the data on the other drive.

Boogieman_WD · 21 Apr 2016 at 10:46

Hey Dave.

Depending on the cloning software you're going to use and on how's your drive partitioned, you might be able to clone just the partition with the data (without the OS if it's on a separate partition). Note that during the cloning process your destination drive will be formatted.

Since this a new build and you'll need to make a fresh install of your OS and the programs/apps as well, as you won't be able to just clone the Windows you've been using with your laptop and use it on the new build. It just doesn't work that way. So if I were you, I'd go for a clean install on the SSD (I'd recommend that you have all other drives disconnected from the motherboard during the Windows installation process). And if there's personal data (such as videos, photos, documents, etc) on the M.2 drive which you need, you can connect the HDD to the laptop externally (either via a SATA to USB adapter, external enclosure, or a docking station) and simply transfer it.

Hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Boogieman_WD

Daaaveee · 21 Apr 2016 at 11:48

Thanks Boogieman.

In that case I guess I will bite the bullet and just nuke both the SSD and M.2 with fresh windows installs once I've saved the important files elsewhere.

I'm just hesitant to do it as last time I did I forgot my wife's WoW screenshot folder and lost 6 years of memories for her!

Lets hope I don't miss anything this time!

Boogieman_WD · 21 Apr 2016 at 14:01

Why nuke the M.2 SSD if you intend to keep using it with the laptop?

You can just perform the clean install on the SSD (when connected to the new build) and then transfer all the data you need, to the HDD from the M.2 (in my last post it seems like I've forgotten that they are in the same system so no need for an external connection). Once you are done with that and have confirmed that you have transferred everything you need, you can just delete that data from the M.2 SSD if you don't need it to be there anymore. This way you'll spare yourself some trouble of making a fresh install of Windows on the M.2 SSD as there's no need for that, if it will be staying where it is and if it's working properly.

Also, I envy you a bit for being able to play WoW with your wife (not a great fan of the game, but a great fan of the story and RPGs in general). My gf plays mostly guitar hero and sometimes Mortal Kombat, but at least it's something I guess...

Daaaveee · 21 Apr 2016 at 14:57

Good point, theres no need to wipe that one as its not going anywhere. Well, I've already removed it but it will be going back where it was so no issues there, just take my things off it and put my wifes on to it.

Will it get confused with me removing the secondary 1TB HDD? As I believe there are some things like my documents and steam/origin directory redirected to that to save space on the SSD.

Its good that your gf has some interest in games

I was debating on whether or not to preorder the HTC Vive but as soon as I showed my wife some videos of it she was asking why I had waited so long to order one!

Boogieman_WD · 21 Apr 2016 at 15:48

I see. This might be a problem, unless you are able to remap them if you have enough space on your SSD. Either way, make sure that you've backed up all the important data you have, just to be on the safe side.

As for the HTC Vive. It does look pretty awesome. Unfortunately I have no experience so far with the new VR technology that's been popping out left and right.