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Go to SolutionXPS 8940, any tips in cloning SSD M.2?
Hello - I wish to upgrade my existing 512 GB Dell M.2 PCIe NVME in my XPS 8940. I currently have AronisTrue Image WD Edition cloning software. I was thinking of using a Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe - Gen4 x4 PCIe 16Gb/s, M.2 2280 card. Also is there anything special I need to do with Intel Optane?
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Posted November 14th, 2023 03:21
I understand that Intel® Optane™ memory is a system acceleration solution installed between the processor and slower storage devices (SATA HDD, SSHD, SSD). Before cloning should it be disabled?
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Posted November 14th, 2023 05:01
If you current boot drive is the 512 GB NVMe SSD, no need to worry about Intel Octane. The only concern is BIOS settings for SATA operation mode. If you must change from RAID to AHCI, it needs to be done prior to the cloning and with a proper process. Else, you may run into error of no boot drive issue. If the current settings is AHCI, you are set ready for cloning.
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Posted November 16th, 2023 20:31
Chino said that the only concern is BIOS settings for SATA operation mode. If you must change from RAID to AHCI, it needs to be done prior to the cloning
My SATA Operation setting is RAID. When I select to change to AHCI, I get a warning " Attention! Changing this setting may prevent your operating system from booting or require a reinstall."
My Question is changing to AHCI a must? Also, I was considering staying with RAID and try cloning the 512 GB Dell M.2 PCIe NVME to 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe , M.2 2280 card. I would place the new card in the existing M.2 slot and place the original (old) 512 GB card in an USB enclosure for M.2 PCIe NVME.
Does this cloning method sound doable? I will be using AronisTrue Image WD Edition cloning software
Thanks.
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Posted November 16th, 2023 22:13
The reason that AHCI mode was preferred (not mandatory) because the operating system can not "see" storage device connected behind a RAID controller unless proper driver is installed.
You can decide how you want your system setup. You can follow the process below to install AHCI driver to current boot drive prior to the cloning, or you can just leave RAID on and performing the drive clone. This option might let you use the second NVMe drive later on.
1. Open a Command Prompt with administrative rights.
2. Type or copy and paste the following command: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
3. Restart the computer, immediately enter the BIOS via F2 or F12.
4. Change the SATA Operation mode from RAID to AHCI/NVME.
5. Save changes and exit, Windows will restart into Safe Mode.
6. Open a Command Prompt with administrative rights again.
7. Type or copy and paste the following command: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
8. Restart your computer and Windows will boot with AHCI drivers enabled.(edited)
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Posted November 18th, 2023 04:08
Just went through this when I was cloning to a XPS 8960 4TB SSD using the Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office - Clone Feature.
1. Change the SSD to AHCI as listed above.
2. Check to see if BitLocker is turned on. For the XPS 8960 it was turned on when DELL configured the computer. If BitLocker is turned on you need to turn it off and let the operating system decrypt the drive.
3. I rebooted the computer for good measure and logged back into the computer.
4. Log Off and Power off the computer.
5. I then installed the SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD into the 2nd NVMe slot of the XPS 8960.
6. Power up the computer and log in.
7. Launch the Acronis Cloning application.
8. Once complete power down the PC and remove the original SSD and replace it with the cloned one.
9. Power the computer backup, login and verify that everything is operating correctly.
10. Enable BitLocker if you need that additional level of protection. If you reenable BitLocker, make sure to backup the BitLocker key to a USB Memory Stick or print the key out.
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Posted November 21st, 2023 04:02
Thanks for sharing your cloning experience. So is it necessary to change from RAID to AHCI. I am hoping to hear from someone who cloned while keeping with RAID.
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Posted December 11th, 2023 04:09
I was able to clone the M.2 PCIe NVME to an internal SSD (XPS 8940). I used AronisTrue Image "backup and recovery" features (not the clone tool). I booted using an USB Acronis bootable rescue media and made a backup of the original M.3 NVMe SSD to an external (USB) HD and then recover it to an internal SSD.
My goal is to clone the current M.2 PCIe NVME to a larger M.2 PCIe NVME. However, I was experimenting with equipment I already had - so I cloned (using backup and recovery) to a spare SSD. The new SSD is bootable.
When I get a new M.2 PCIe NVME, I will then use backup and recovery features in Acronis to make a bootable new M.2. I mostly followed the directions posted in Acronis forum
Just wondering if this sounds like a good way to avoid changing RAID to AHCI and making a bootable copy of M.2 PCIe NVME.
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gbuys
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Posted December 24th, 2023 19:02
Solved
Upgraded an existing 512 GB Dell M.2 PCIe NVME in a XPS 8940 to a Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe. Used AronisTrue Image WD Edition software.
I cloned using “backup and recovery” method. Started by booting using an USB Acronis bootable rescue media and made a backup of the original M.3 NVMe SSD to an external (USB) HD. Put the new PCIe NVME in the M.2 slot on the motherboard and then recover it from the backup that was stored on the external HD. The new PCIe NVME is bootable.
According to some folks on the Acronis community forum, the AronisTrue Image "backup and recovery" features (not the clone tool) is a good and safer way to make copies of bootable drives.
Resources
Acronis Backup and Restore is Highly Recommended as a complete alternative to using Cloning. This method is more flexible in what types of drives can be used, i.e. can backup and recover to Dynamic drives, RAID etc - Cloning can only operate with Basic drives.
M.2 image restore to new M.2 drive
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