SSD + HDD -> Move to One Large SSD

[Radeon962]

With the prices dropping on 1TB SSD's, I am considering moving my current 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD to one 1TB SSD.

I have my Windows 7, Programs, etc. on the SSD so I only use 27GB on the SSD currently and the User Data and the rest of the miscellaneous stuff is on the HDD and is using about 300GB.

I use Acronis to make backups and back them up separately as a C: and D: drive, but wondered how I would clone a 2 disk setup and restore on 1 large SSD?

Would I just select both drives and make a full backup in Acronis and then restore this full backup to the new SSD and plug it in?

 

[Charlie98]

I don't think that would work... I would just clone SSD to SSD and then just transfer the files on the HDD over manually.

 

[postmortemIA]

you should be able to create 2 partitions on 1TB SSD and then restore SSD onto first and HDD image onto 2nd.

 

[Radeon962]

you should be able to create 2 partitions on 1TB SSD and then restore SSD onto first and HDD image onto 2nd.

Thanks, that makes sense. Just looking to get this straight before Black Friday as I'm hoping there are some deals on the larger SSD's.

 

[Deders]

Just be aware that most data files, Music video or documents, won't see any benefit from SSD speeds. It might make a difference with the noise level though.

 

[Charlie98]

you should be able to create 2 partitions on 1TB SSD and then restore SSD onto first and HDD image onto 2nd.

I don't think that works with Acronis... When he tries to mount the 2nd image won't it wipe the 1st image on the new SSD? I think at a minimum he will have to reduce the partition size of the 1TB HDD so it will fit into the new partition...

 

[Koing]

I can't believe how cheap the 1TB HD drives are now!

500GB for about £200 or less? wtf?!

Koing

 

[Elixer]

I don't think that works with Acronis... When he tries to mount the 2nd image won't it wipe the 1st image on the new SSD? I think at a minimum he will have to reduce the partition size of the 1TB HDD so it will fit into the new partition...

No, acronis supports this.
So, if he is using 700GB of 1TB, then he can still clone it over to a partition that is at least 700GB big.

 

[Charlie98]

No, acronis supports this.
So, if he is using 700GB of 1TB, then he can still clone it over to a partition that is at least 700GB big.

Very good...! I'll have to remember that.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

It seemed to me -- I mean . . as I recollect -- that Acronis clones the entire physical disk partition, which means all the logical volumes on it. Conversely, you should be able to clone the boot SSD to a partition of determined size on the new SSD; if you simply clone the entire boot SSD to the new one and allow the size of the total logical volumes to consume the disk, you should be able to shorten the largest (C : )[freakin' smiley icon . . ] and then create another logical volume on the remaining space. My guess: you might then only need to do a file-level copy of the old HDD to the second logical volume on the SSD.

I don't think Acronis has a problem with any of this. It has a "sizing" feature that will shrink the size of a source drive to a specified target as long as the target is still able to hold all the source files. You can ultimately control the size of multiple volumes on the SSD; you can use imaging for the data files, but possibly just file-level copying to a new logical volume on the SSD.

 

[Radeon962]

What I would hope to do is to create a 100 GB C partition on the new 1TB SSD and then a D partition with the rest.

Then clone C to C and D to D

 

[sm625]

You only need acronis to clone your boot drive. After it is cloned you jsut copy the storage drive contents onto your new C drive. Or you could use a tool like easeus partition master to shrink your new C drive, add a new D partition using windows disk management, and then use windows explorer to copy your old storage drive's contents onto this new partition. This would let you keep your old folder structure, if that is important to you at all. I think it would be much easier and simpler just to clone your boot drive, and then copy the storage drive data into a folder on the new C drive.

Just make sure your storage drive is disconnected when you go to clone your boot drive.

 

[Radeon962]

You only need acronis to clone your boot drive. After it is cloned you jsut copy the storage drive contents onto your new C drive. Or you could use a tool like easeus partition master to shrink your new C drive, add a new D partition using windows disk management, and then use windows explorer to copy your old storage drive's contents onto this new partition. This would let you keep your old folder structure, if that is important to you at all. I think it would be much easier and simpler just to clone your boot drive, and then copy the storage drive data into a folder on the new C drive.

Just make sure your storage drive is disconnected when you go to clone your boot drive.

True. Thanks.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You only need acronis to clone your boot drive. After it is cloned you jsut copy the storage drive contents onto your new C drive. Or you could use a tool like easeus partition master to shrink your new C drive, add a new D partition using windows disk management, and then use windows explorer to copy your old storage drive's contents onto this new partition. This would let you keep your old folder structure, if that is important to you at all. I think it would be much easier and simpler just to clone your boot drive, and then copy the storage drive data into a folder on the new C drive.

Just make sure your storage drive is disconnected when you go to clone your boot drive.

That's a harmless precaution to take, but I don't think it really matters. Probably the safest thing you can do is to create the bootable CD version of Acronis (likely using the Linux-based option), then assure that the BIOS recognizes all the disks, and make note of identifying information about the source and target drives you'll need to recognize from within Acronis (never had a problem distinguishing one from the other, though.) Then simply clone the system/boot drive and THEN remove the source drive -- leaving the resulting clone cabled (especially if you copied the drive signature as the same). You could even cable the new clone to the port used by the drive you're removing, but not essential, I think . . .