Upgrading from 128GB to larger SSD

[schmutz06]

I'm upgrading to a larger SSD because I'm always shuffling applications & games on my 128GB Crucial M4. Would it be feasible to clone the M4 data and upgrade to a 512GB SSD?

Can I use software like Macrium Reflect to create an image of my 128GB M4 and put that onto the 512GB SSD? Or is it necessary to rebuild my entire OS/software/preferences from scratch?

The following terms: "File alignment", "data blocks", "offset". I'm hardly familiar with what these mean or what they are but I've seen them around and I'm paranoid about how smoothly this information would transfer from one SSD to another.

Thank you for helping

 

[Burner27]

Using Acronis True Image Home 2012 or later and their clone disk utility - you will have no issues going from 128GB to a 512GB SSD.

 

[hhhd1]

Should be fine, the "alignment" issues only happen when cloning from the mechanical drives to SSDs.

You should simply copy the drive, as is, from the 128 SSD to the 512 one, then after finishing, either create a new partition in the empty space, or extend the system partition in windows' computer management.

I think any software would work just fine.

 

[RaiderJ]

I personally use Clonezilla to copy drives, then GParted to expand the partition. Lots of other tools do the same thing as mentioned.

Should be easy to upgrade your SSD. Just make sure everything works as expected on your new drive before doing anything with your old one. I screwed up my work laptop a couple weeks ago by fiddling with the partitions and was pretty mad at myself for not having made a full backup first.

 

[cantholdanymore]

I cloned my 128G SSD to a 1GB HDD with acronis, no problem. You can download acronis and use it for free for 30 days. Just read the help file.

 

[jhansman]

I rolled the dice on this program http://www.paragon-software.com/technologies/components/migrate-OS-to-SSD/ and have used it twice now (64GB->128GB->256GB) with absolutely no problems. It's a one-trick pony, but it's super easy to use and works, and is only $20.

 

[StarTech]

Many SSDs come with software and clone. Some have a cable kit just for that. You have to look at what comes in the package for the drives. The same drive, like the Samsung 830 512G comes in multiple packaging with different options.

 

[Bill Brasky]

As long as you're cloning SSD->SSD, I just use the imaging utility built into windows 7. It's free and works great.

Edit: I just upgraded from an m4 128gb to a samsung 830 256gb yesterday. You are going to LOVE having the extra room. I'm reinstalling all the steam games I had to remove to make room for newer stuff.

 

[B-Riz]

I had a non-starter going from an Intel Raid 0 array to the Vertex 4 using drive cloning.

I had to make an image of the Raid array, then restore that to the Vertex.

And now sleep does not work; so I am re-installing Win 7 this weekend.

 

[schmutz06]

That's reassuring thanks.

I think that my Crucial M4 128GB is beginning to show some bad signs... the computer is constantly freezing, where executing any new tasks or opening folders, or even CTRL+ALT+DEL won't work. Requiring a restart and then in BIOS my Crucial M4 isn't detected until I turn off the system completely. Does this sound like a bad SSD? I've had it for over a year with no problems and this started just before I made the thread.

I can also mention on another note that it's 4K-64Thrd performance has dropped by half over the course of a year. Overall AS SSD score dropped from 640 initially to around 440... looking around it looks like I need to format it to get it back up to speed? Not sure...

I am on my Windows 7 operating system on said SSD right now to post this message but it is only a matter of time before it crashes again, with the same symptoms. I have luckily managed to produce a full backup to put onto another SSD.

Can I rule out that this is not a virus/malware/software configuration issue? The drive is not being detected by the BIOS after a crash, so it seems like a hardware issue to me.

I plan to RMA the M4 and also get a new 512GB SSD. What do you think of these symptoms?

 

[hhhd1]

1. First, try to see if there something like this in the "Event Viewer"
Event ID:9 - The device, \Device\Ide\iaStor0, did not respond within the timeout period.

2. Then, try this:

Uninstall intel RST

OR

Try the fix from here:
http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-S...eze-ups-in-Windows-7-solved-for-me/td-p/38766

 

[tweakboy]

Use Windows Image Backup. It will make a image put it on external drive. You can create a Repair Disc at this section. Boot up with CDROM and choose image from external drive and restore. And yes you can restore to a much larger drive.

I only trust 2 SSD companies. Samsung and Crucial. At the time I got my M4 the Samsung 830 512GB was 700 dollars. It didn't make sense, especially on a sata 2.
So I had to go with Crucial it was 400 dollars to the door step. My windows used to boot up in 4 minutes because readyboot was broken, I accidently messed it up in the registry. Soo with readyboot its 1 minute boot. Soo I was living without it so 3 to 4 minute boot up then hard drive thrash soo slow. Now its 20 second boot up and 2 and half seconds for PS CS5 for first launch right after your OS loads. I dont even see a blue screen that says welcome ,, its soo fast.... I have 16 games installed and DAW and pics and videos etc.. I have 140GB free still. Buy it and youll never look back. gl

 

[tweakboy]

Oh also disconnect all your hard drives and 128GB ssd ,, only connect the drive you got.


Windows Image Backup . all the way! no need for third party app.

 

[Bill Brasky]

That's reassuring thanks.

I think that my Crucial M4 128GB is beginning to show some bad signs... the computer is constantly freezing, where executing any new tasks or opening folders, or even CTRL+ALT+DEL won't work. Requiring a restart and then in BIOS my Crucial M4 isn't detected until I turn off the system completely. Does this sound like a bad SSD? I've had it for over a year with no problems and this started just before I made the thread.

I can also mention on another note that it's 4K-64Thrd performance has dropped by half over the course of a year. Overall AS SSD score dropped from 640 initially to around 440... looking around it looks like I need to format it to get it back up to speed? Not sure...

I am on my Windows 7 operating system on said SSD right now to post this message but it is only a matter of time before it crashes again, with the same symptoms. I have luckily managed to produce a full backup to put onto another SSD.

Can I rule out that this is not a virus/malware/software configuration issue? The drive is not being detected by the BIOS after a crash, so it seems like a hardware issue to me.

I plan to RMA the M4 and also get a new 512GB SSD. What do you think of these symptoms?

Have you upgraded the m4 to the latest firmware, which is 000F? Technically, v. 0309 is also adequate, but since you're having issues updating to the latest wouldn't hurt. Just run a free app called CrystalDisk Info to verify your current firmware version. Here's a link to the download page.

http://crystalmark.info/download/index-e.html#CrystalDiskInfo

And the crucial firmware page.

http://www.crucial.com/support/firmware.aspx

 

[schmutz06]

thank you so much. @hhhd1, you're right, I found this in event viewer:

"The device, \Device\Ide\iaStor0, did not respond within the timeout period."

I'm following your advice. Uninstalling intel RST drivers has not resolved the problem, so I'm now looking at the thread you linked.

@tweakboy good point. Why use third party app like macrium reflect when I can do it with Windows 7. And yes, investing in an SSD is about trust I've read enough stories about some manufacturers but Crucial seem to be one of the more respected.

@Bill Brasky thanks for the application. I'm running firmware version 0001. I can update to the latest version if I continue to see problems after following hhhd1's advice, what do you think? If a format/clone from image is worth the trouble I'll do it though.

I don't understand why my M4 has been operating normally for over a year. The problem began a few days ago and now it happens every 30 minutes. It seems like a hardware problem because it doesn't make sense that the software can just start malfunctioning when nothing has changed.

 

[hhhd1]

The advice by Bill Brasky is very important.
There was a bug in the old firmware, that got resolved in the newer firmware (0309 and 000F)
The bug was that the ssd would crash in less than an hour after having total on hours count of ~5100

Updating the firmware should fix the issue.

Note: 000F is newer than 0309 (bad numbering system by crucial)

 

[schmutz06]

I see that makes sense. Crystal disk says my power on count is 524, with 5408 hours. It has taken a bit more than 5100 hours to kick in but I think we can assume the source of the problem now.

A few questions:

Q1: Is firmware independent of the data? i.e. if I upgrade to 000F and then clone my current data back onto it, will it remain on 000F?

Q2: Will the firmware update format the drive or can I update without losing my data?

Q3: Can the firmware update restore the SSD's original speed? i.e. the original AS SSD benchmark score was significantly higher than it is now, especially with regards to 4K-64Thrd performance.

I've read some new bugs exist in 000F, but I am happy to try it before thinking about returns etc.

 

[Jocelyn84]

1. Yes, it is independent
2. It won't format/wipe your data, but I still do a backup just in case there's a mishap.
3. You'd need to do a secure erase for that. Here's a guide using parted magic - How to: Secure Erase your Solid State Drive (SSD) with Parted Magic

PS - If you do a secure erase, I'd unplug all other drives prior to doing so.

 

[schmutz06]

thank you Jocelyn84.

After 3 hours I finally managed to update to firmware 000F. It was hard work.

The windows upgrade wasn't working, the USB upgrade wasn't working.

Fix:

For anyone with "finding drives" error, or the \GRLDR.MBR error for crucial M4 firmware upgrade:

Unplug all other SATA drives, including DVD/Blu ray drives & disable Marvel SATA 3 in BIOS. This took ages of searching to eventually figure out so I hope it helps someone.

That aside:

I'm on Crucial M4 000F firmware now, so the freeze problem is hopefully resolved. Now I need to start looking at restoring the original benchmark performance in AS SSD. I understand SSD performance deteriorates over time but mine is scoring around 420 which is very low compared to the scores of 700+ some people report.

I need to do a secure erase. I can't use the Windows image program because it is trying to create a backup of ALL of my drives and I can't find any way to backup just the SSD. So I will use Macrium reflect. I'll need to use two bootable USB drives, one for Parted magic and another for macrium recovery environment, is this correct?

Thanks very much for all of the help.

 

[hhhd1]

I do not think you should need a secure erase to get some performance increase if you are using windows 7 already.

Just benchmark it now, the new firmware should perform much better than the original firmware 0001.

 

[Jocelyn84]

You should be able to put both Macrium & Parted Magic on the same USB drive using Yumi. At boot up, you'll bee able to pick which one you want to use, and I'll post a link when I get home.

 

[schmutz06]

Benchmark results: day 1 --> today

Drop in 4K-64Thrd and access times. I've read that a secure erase can resolve this?

 

[hhhd1]

Well, you got a performance increase in sequential read speed, and that is what is to be expected for the firmware upgrade.

You could do a secure erase, but first, you can try this tool, it might give a little increase in performance (even though I doubt it), but I think it should have the same effect of doing a (backup -> secure erase -> restore).

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/SSD-Tool-free-space-trimmer/td-p/51198

 

[schmutz06]

Thanks for the link I've tried that and will report back soon how it goes.

Before attempting a secure erase I did a little boot up using the macrium recovery tool via USB, it hangs on "please wait", on the first page of the recovery wizard. So I don't feel very confident about using that now. But I also can't use Windows "create a system image" because it attempts to copy all of my drives (1tb, 1tb, 2tb, 128GB SSD) and I don't have space for this. I want to copy just the SSD data to my 2TB drive, which would seem like the feasible thing to do, but I can't see how that is possible? If I proceed anyway, the next page says:

Which drives do you want to include in the backup?

and for whatever reason, my 2tb drive is forced to be included, maybe because it has an old OS install on it? Or maybe because I re-linked my desktop/documents/downloads folders to this drive (to save ssd space). Is there any way to make an image of just the SSD and put it on the 2TB, then retrieve it in a recovery boot?

I have never performed a restore from image before, it seems to be a straight forward process but I'm just making sure I have a means to do it before formatting