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Question

How do you duplicate hard drive to a hybrid drive?

Feb 5, 2012 8:24AM PST

Hi
I recently bought the Seagate Momentus XT 750gb hybrid drive and I want to switch it with my current hard drive in my laptop. Is there a way to duplicate the hard drive so they are exactly the same.
I heard that you can't clone or use a duplicator because the hybrid and the hdd are different.
What software would i have to use to do this?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I did this!
Feb 5, 2012 8:29AM PST

But on the 500GB model. Seagate supplies the software to do this and instructions. So I followed their instructions.
Bob

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Hybrid drive update
Feb 20, 2012 6:40AM PST

Hi guys:

I have a similar question; I have a Momentus XT 500GB, and it's in the process of being replaced under warranty (one of the SMART measurements started to show a DANGER signal, so Seagate are replacing the drive), and obviously I'd like to clone the old drive to the new one. Bob, what software did Seagate supply for this? Could I use my existing copy of Acronis? - I carried out some tests with a standard Momentus 500GB last night and the "clone" works very well. Do I understand that it may not do so if I'm cloning to a hybrid?

Thanks,

Nigel

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Let's find the questions.
Feb 20, 2012 6:55AM PST

It's one paragraph so let's find the questions.

1. what software did Seagate supply for this?

None. I had to go get it from their web site.

2.Could I use my existing copy
of Acronis? - I carried out some tests with a standard Momentus 500GB
last night and the "clone" works very well. Do I understand that it may
not do so if I'm cloning to a hybrid?

You answered your question but the entire idea of this drive is to act and look like a normal drive.
Bob

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Questions found?
Feb 20, 2012 9:21AM PST

Hi Bob:

Thanks for your reply; I'm not sure what you meant in your answer to the second section, because I don't think I did answer my own question. The "standard Momentus" I referred to, to which I did the clone, was a non-hybrid. I understood from a Seagate technician that they don't recommend cloning to a hybrid because, he said, that would not allow the SSD section to play its part. However, from what I read on blogs (and from what I remember after installing the XT in the first place) the drive does "learn" as time goes by, and so it shouldn't matter how I get the software onto the drive in the first place.

If you mean by "the entire idea of this drive is to act and look like a normal drive" that I should be able to treat it like a regular drive, and clone to it, then I'm glad, and as I said, that squares with what else I've read this afternoon.

Thanks again,

Nigel

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Sorry about that.
Feb 20, 2012 9:38AM PST
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No problem!
Feb 20, 2012 11:19AM PST

And their clone software is based around Acronis 2009. I have (and tested the procedure out with) 2011, so I think I'll just proceed along with that one. I already have a bootable DVD ready for it, so now it's just a matter of waiting for the delivery guy or gal to come through with the new unit!

Wish I'd had the nerve to ask them for an upgrade to the 750GB model - it's faster. Oh well...

N.