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Question

How to Make a Backup of a Laptop with both SSD and HDD?

Jul 15, 2019 2:23PM PDT

I will be getting a new laptop later this week that has both a 256GB SSD drive and a 1TB hard drive. The OS and some programs will be on the SSD and my data will be stored on the 1TB drive.

My question - how do I do a backup to an external drive - I use Macrium Free - so that both of these drives are included? How does one set up the backup so that both drives are backed up – both in one step, or is each done separately?

Also how is a recovery USB(?) made for both?

I appreciate ideas or suggestions on how to do this. I do back up my systems regularly, but I have never had this dual drive situation, and was not sure how to proceed.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Why not clone one then the other?
Jul 15, 2019 3:15PM PDT
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Answer
As to that other question about recovery USB.
Jul 15, 2019 3:35PM PDT

The free version only offers to "Restore non-booting systems".

The other versions have the "bare metal" restore option.

So the question about the bootable restore system can only be answered with "no, you won't be making such a restore stick or DVD if you use the free version."
Source: https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Post was last edited on July 15, 2019 4:00 PM PDT

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Thanks for the replies!
Jul 15, 2019 5:09PM PDT

Thanks for the replies. As to the backup question - I was just wondering how the 2 drives would be handled in any backup program. I use Macrium, but it seems it would be the same in any. Are they both included in one backup, or do I need to do those separately? Or - As you say R. Profitt, I guess I can just copy the data in the 1TB drive, and only back up the SSD?

My version of Macrium Free does list an option to Create Rescue Media - I guess that is different than a recovery type of option?

Thanks again - still learning for sure!

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Can't say.
Jul 15, 2019 5:20PM PDT

I don't use the free version so I can't test if it will restore to bare metal. Macrium documents at link do not tell me it's what you really want. What good is this to folk that want a working booting drive after restore? (bare metal)

I guess you'll have to test this someday.

As to the copy the data, I never bother to clone the OS drive for myself as if it failed it gives me the excuse for a clean install. I have backups of what I can't lose good to go.

Post was last edited on July 15, 2019 5:36 PM PDT