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Question

First time cloning HDD to SSD - need some help

Jan 6, 2015 5:22AM PST

Hi.

This will be my first time cloning to a SSD, so please advise where needed?

Looking to buy a new Dell Inspiron 11, 3000 Series laptop using 8.1 for travel purposes..
I want to purchase a 256gb Samsung SSD to replace the HDD 500gb.
From what I read, the HDD(for this laptop) uses less that 200GB of data.

Ok, so I need a freeware to Image clone my HHD to a SSD.
Currently I use Macrium Reflect for Image backups on my current laptop.

Would Reflect be a decent software to clone a HDD to a SSD?
I've also heard EaseUS is a very good product.

Besides the SSD, I also need an external enclosure(Adapter) to connect the SSD to the laptop.

Here are the steps:
1. Do a full Image Backup of my HDD(c:\) drive to an external drive
2. Perform the Image cloning operation from the HDD to the SDD
3. Upon completion, remove/replace the HDD with the SDD in my new laptop
4. Boot up the machine.

Is this the correct sequence-of-steps for a successful upgrade?
If not, what other tasks must be included before or after cloning to get a clean installation of the SSD?

Thanks.
TC.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I didn't even do that much.
Jan 6, 2015 5:25AM PST

I got the Apricom disk clone package, followed the directions and had my drive replaced in no time at all. The Apricom adapter/software is a bundle and not expensive.
Bob

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Answer
When I bought my SSD (I wanted to do the same thing)
Jan 7, 2015 1:19AM PST

I bought a Kit. I'm not sure if Samsung sells their SSD's in a Kit but I got mine from Buy.com. I've actually done it 3 times.

The kit consisted of 1. The SSD 2. The External HD Case with USB connection 3. Acronis True Image software.

My pc has 2 drive bays so my goal was to clone the HD and move it to the 2nd bay. The first drive i got was a 120 GB SSD and the PC was new so I installed the apps i wanted and I began the cloning. I just booted with the Acronis disk and the SSD in the external case. When finished i put the SSD in the 1st bay and the HD in the 2nd bay and it booted fine. I later did the same thing but from the 120 GB SSD to a 240 GB SSD. The 3rd time I cloned the 750 HD to 1 TB HD to be used as the data drive in bay 2.

One of the things when using a SSD is they recommend not to go past a certain % of capacity. So if you can afford a 500 GB SSD I would go with that.