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    Transfer Win 8 os from my 256 gb ssd to 500 gb hdd

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Riddhy916, Aug 26, 2013.

  1. Riddhy916

    Riddhy916 Notebook Deity

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    Hi guys i have a m17x r4 with 680m and 256 gb (ssd) the unit came with win 8 64 bit os installed in the 256 gb ssd......

    i installed a 500 gb 7200 rpm hard drive in it for storage purposes... now i want to take out the 256 gb ssd use it elsewhere and transfer my os to 500 gb hdd...

    the unit didnt came with Win 8 DVD... so how can i take my OS to the hdd step by steps please help...i am a complete noob at this
     
    Riddhy916, Aug 26, 2013
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  2. Yeti575

    Yeti575 Notebook Consultant

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    Did you make an AlienRespawn backup when you got the laptop ?

    If you didn't you can either try and request an install media from Dell (worked for me when I asked) or use a clone program.

    You can find detailed step-by-step here using Paragon Solved How to Migrate OS to new Hard disk.. Another option is to use Acronis True Image 2013. It is common for the SSD to come with a license for some sort of cloning software, so check to see if you don't already have the software. Acronis is about $50.
    A third option entirely is to use Win 8 built in backup to clone, though I have no experience using that myself. Using Windows 8′s “hidden” backup to clone and recover your whole PC | Ars Technica
     
    Yeti575, Aug 26, 2013
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  3. NiveQ

    NiveQ Notebook Geek

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    you could purchase an sata harddrive docking station.
    then connect the new harddrive onto the docking station.
    using a program lik hdclone, you can clone youre entire drive onto the new drive.
    then its just a matter of swapping the old with the new drive.
     
    NiveQ, Aug 26, 2013
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  4. Riddhy916

    Riddhy916 Notebook Deity

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    I have Alienware respawn can i do it now?
     
    Riddhy916, Aug 26, 2013
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  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    When moving from SSD to HDD or backwards, it is better to do a fresh install. Some features change from one to the other one.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Aug 26, 2013
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  6. Riddhy916

    Riddhy916 Notebook Deity

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    how to fresh install? i didnt get win 8 dvds
     
    Riddhy916, Aug 27, 2013
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  7. IanC

    IanC Notebook Evangelist

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    Your screwed then like me, unless you buy the win 8 DVD from Dell

    Sorry
     
    IanC, Aug 27, 2013
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  8. Yeti575

    Yeti575 Notebook Consultant

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    Like I mentioned, you can request them from support. I did and received a Win8 DVD allowing me to fresh install onto my SSD.

    And yes, it is always better to do a fresh install but in the event that isn't possible then there are other options, such as the cloning mentioned.
     
    Yeti575, Aug 28, 2013
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