Why migrate to SSD via USB connection?

[IronWing]

In reading up on SSD migration I see users mentioning that they use a USB connection to migrate their system drives and then install the newly cloned SSD in place of the primary HDD. If I have available SATA ports, is there any value to using USB for the migration? Could I not install the drive, set to AHCI, run the migration tool, and then reassign drive letters to make the new SSD the system drive?


Edit: there is that moment between hitting the Post button and the page reloading that one realizes he is in the wrong forum. Mods, please move to Storage. Thank you.

 

[Rudee]

Wrong forum

Moved to the correct forum. -Admin DrPizza

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

I honestly don't even know why you wouldn't just install fresh anyway.

 

[DesiPower]

Its actually not that bad if you have a USB 3.0, its convenient as you do not have to hook up a drive, screw it, find an extra SATA cable, make sure you have the sata power cable positioned correctly and so on... In my case all 6 on board ports and 4 add on ports, all are taken, so I have unhook one of the existing drives (carefully, as some are on software raid).

Just migrate using USB, and swap the drive, much easier.

I honestly don't even know why you wouldn't just install fresh anyway.

I do agree with that, I have replaced my OS SSD 3 times and only once I migrated, but then too, I did a fresh install after a week.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

In practical terms, it doesn't make a huge difference - cloning over SATA might even be faster, depending.

 

[Data-Medics]

It's fine to clone to it connected via SATA instead. USB is just convenient, especially if you're migrating a laptop to SSD and it only has one SATA port.

 

[olds]

Bought an ssd to put in the wife's laptop to speed it up.
Samsung ' s migration software won't finish and on their site that say to use the free version of acronis. That won't finish either. If I had the OS on a disk, I'd do a fresh install.

 

[IronWing]

The migration went okay for me. Now I'm trying to offload the iTunes library to the old HDD drive. Since all the files are already there it should be a piece of cake but since this is Apple, it's turning out to be a pain in the butt. I found Apple's directions for this so maybe things will get better. I can't create the over provisioning area on the ssd until I get rid of the media files so the new drive isn't as zippy as it might be.

 

[DesiPower]

Bought an ssd to put in the wife's laptop to speed it up.
Samsung ' s migration software won't finish and on their site that say to use the free version of acronis. That won't finish either. If I had the OS on a disk, I'd do a fresh install.

I had the same problem, could not find any resolution either... I even tried todo and tried with and without optimize for ssd... nothing worked

 

[IronWing]

When I ran Samsung's migration tool it hanged after about a GB was transferred. It sat there seemingly doing nothing for a good ten minutes before continuing as if nothing had happened. It took about 90 minutes to move 350GB from a WD Green to a 512 ssd.

 

[olds]

I had the same problem, could not find any resolution either... I even tried todo and tried with and without optimize for ssd... nothing worked

Ya, the SSD is sitting in a drawer.

When I ran Samsung's migration tool it hanged after about a GB was transferred. It sat there seemingly doing nothing for a good ten minutes before continuing as if nothing had happened. It took about 90 minutes to move 350GB from a WD Green to a 512 ssd.

I get an error message about not completing.

 

[IronWing]

Here is a benchmark I ran with Samsung Magician.

Unless Samsung left out a decimal point or confused Mb/s with MB/s my drive seems to be exceeding the SATA 3 standard.

 

[Cerb]

That's the software you installed hitting mostly RAM, not the SSD.

 

[DesiPower]

yeah, I use benchmark tools and not Magician for my satisfaction

 

[Z15CAM]

I honestly don't even know why you wouldn't just install fresh anyway.

Useless you want to retain your app's and "My Documents" - I place My Documents on another Drive - Period.: be aware MS has a Devilish Counter Strike for that when Migrating Images. HINT browse with Notepad.exe when you can't access Windows Explorer and FIX that useless Desktop. Always log on with a masked "temporary user" which you can delete afterwards after switching Administrator Rights to your own ;o)

USB 1-2-3 Spd is irrelevant in preparing HDD's or SSD's and Dumping your OS Image. Thumbs are very effective as long as your MB supports PS2 or USB DOS Boot with the appropriate Keyboard. Your Image should have all SATA Drivers - IDE/AHCI and RAID Modes.

Samsung Magician Software is "CRAP" when your MB Sata Controller is enabled in Raid Mode - You don't need Magician.

Your MB should be capable of recognizing your Keyboard in either PS2 or USB so that you can boot DOS or EFI.

I enjoy Migrating OS's and Fresh Installing OS's with USB Flash Sticks.

It's My Game and Go &^#* MS and Intel. You design a Stick - You're in control.