Possible to clone an NVME system drive to a USB-docked SATA HDD?

[teckneeculler]

Possible to clone a 250Gb NVME M2 system drive to a USB-docked SATA HDD?
I'll probably use AOMEI Backupper for this, but I can't find any tips about doing the clone to a USB docked HDD.
Anyone know if it'll work?
BTW, I'm aware I can image the OS, but I'd prefer to clone it.

 

[SIW2]

I dont see why not. It might take a while over usb. Are you expecting to boot it via usb, or are you intending to attach it internally via sata?

 

[teckneeculler]

SIW2. the system is behaving a bit oddly, so I just want to create a quick and easy-to-use backup in case it fails before I've had a chance to do something more permanent.
If I do have to use it, I'd like to be able to just substitute it for the NVME and, hopefully, only need to change the BIOS boot settings.

 

[ian50]

@teckneeculler

Cloning an internal NVMe (C:\) to an external SSD (USB connected) is quite straightforward with either Aomei or Macrium. The external drive is obviously dedicated as the each-time clone deletes all previous information on that drive.

I do this regularly for the same reason you wish to - a direct ready-to-go replacement if the C:\ drive should go awol.

To avoid possible later misunderstanding, I'm using an HP250 laptop with a Crucial P5 1Tb NVMe as C:\. This is cloned on a regular basis to a Crucial P2 1Tb drive connected externally inside an NVMe hardrive enclosure (about AUD$30) through a USB3.1 port.

The process takes about 10 minutes to re-run, with the initial 1st time at about 30 minutes.

To use it as C:\ requires it be marked as active each clone time. Both Aomei and Macrium do this as part of cloning.

 

[teckneeculler]

ian50, thanks. Sounds straightforward enough for me

 

[teckneeculler]

ian50: Quick question. Have you ever tried booting from the cloned drive?

 

[ian50]

@teckneeculler

>"Have you ever tried booting from the cloned drive?"

Yes, of course - else there is no point to the clone.

The key issue (I've commented on this in the backup thread as well) is that using Macrium as the cloning software, you have access to a boot edit section for C:\ in that programme. BUT this section is only available from the Macrium menu when it is booted independently of the C:\ drive from a USB.

I've used this aspect quite a few times, both just testing and when Restore actually needed it. I've tested (only) with Aomei doing the cloning and independently booted Macrium editing the boot sector of the clone. As noted before, both these programmes, Macrium and Aomei, currently offer freeware editions which have these capabilities.

 

[teckneeculler]

ian50, thanks again for the info. I have both Macrium Reflect and AOMEI, but which of the latter are you using? Backupper or Partition Assistant?
I'd be grateful if you'd expand on your statement "The key issue...is that using Macrium as the cloning software, you have access to a boot edit section for C:\ in that programme. BUT this section is only available from the Macrium menu when it is booted independently of the C:\ drive from a USB. "
Especially the last sentence, if you don't mind. When I was also an 'Ian50', I was building and servicing PCs, but now I'm an 'Ian81' and not active in the trade I'm starting to forget a lot of useful stuff
Cheers
IanNZ
aka Teckneeculler

 

[ian50]

1) Aomei Backupper v6.5.1

2) Macrium has a boot sector automated edit but is only available when the Macrium programme is booted on a USB, not on the C:\ drive. Obviously, the C:\ drive boot files cannot be edited from within Windows as they are in use then.

You're really asking how to make a cloned C:\ drive boot, I think, after you've inserted the newly-made clone into the PC. Boot Macrium off a USB and use the "Repair Boot Files" option from the drop-down menu. It takes 1 or 2 seconds, is all.

3) Put Macrium Tutorials in your search engine. There are some very useful tutorials out there, not just the ones from Macrium itself. Many to choose from.

 

[teckneeculler]

OK, all good. What you're saying is that the cloned drive won't boot the system until you first boot from Macrium on a USB, then use the 'Repair Boot Files' option from its menu. No prob.
One more question: The OS (W10) drive that's to be cloned is a 250Gb Samsung 970 EVO-Plus. I'd planned to purchase another of these self-same units for the target drive. Is 250Gb to 250Gb OK? You seem to have done this with 1TB to 1TB without issues. I ask this because a promo for the Orico enclosure I'd thought to buy (link below) states on another site that the cloning process must be 'to a larger drive'.

Buy the Orico M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure USB3.1 GEN2 Type-C 10 Gbps ( M2PV-C3-BK ) online - PBTech.co.nz

 

[ian50]

... the cloned drive won't boot the system until you first boot from Macrium on a USB, then use the 'Repair Boot Files' option from its menu.

Well, if it doesn't boot, then use the Macrium USB Repair option. I've never bothered to examine why non-boot sometimes occurs when the resolution is anyway so simple. Perhaps one day ...

Both Macrium 8 and Aomei 6.5 have a dynamic sizing capability now. While on earlier versions you had to do the simple arithmetic to calculate relative partiton sizes on cloning, now you just drag partitions from source to target and the programme fits them in real time for the clone. In conjunction with this, you can if you choose, define the clone action on a partition by partition basis rather than just accept the programme default arithmetic.

The only limit is self-evident: you can't clone (a direct copy) to a disk size smaller than the initial source file system. There is a way partially around this - first, image the initial source disk to an external USB drive, then restore that image to the disk you wish to be the clone (again, on a USB connection). This allows you to resize for yourself on restore, so you can reasonably fit the restore to a somewhat smaller disk if you wish to, again with the proviso that the new "restored" disk cannot be smaller than the initial source file system.

As noted, there are some really useful Macrium tutorials around, including on this forum. It's quite a versatile programme and in my view worth examining in some detail. Aomei too runs a very close second, but is now subjecting the freeware version to nag ads.

 

[teckneeculler]

Once again, thanks. The gear is ordered and on its way