Clone internal SDD to external HDD, what is easiest way?

Hello all. I'am sending in my SSD for RMA as it has bad stuttering issues but want to be able to boot up using my 160GB external USB HDD while it is away for repair then can clone it back when it returns. I think it is possible and there are several programs and ways but I have never done this before so want to ask for the easiest and safest way to do it.

Cheers!

 

I think Acronis True Image is the software you are looking for. Google for it.

 

Yeah, Acronis True Image is perfect for what you want to do.

 

Alrighty. Thanks I will give it a try. I assume the program is free and afterwards once the SSD is removed I can boot up from the external drive as if nothing has changed?

 

It's not free but you do get a free trial which includes disk cloning. And yes, you'll be able to boot up from the second drive as if nothing has changed.

 

I have just tried to use it several times and it doesn't seem to do want I need. When the disc is plugged in the computer I cannot see it and when I remove the SSD I cannot boot into windows with just the usb HDD. It is pretty useless this way for me... can someone help? All I want is to copy everything to the external drive then be able to boot from it without the SSD being installed I don't want some sort of "backup".disc that I can't boot from or see. Cheers

 

Wait, are you trying to boot the hard drive from within the USB enclosure? I don't think you can boot Windows from an external USB device, has to be eSATA. I (mistakenly?) thought you were going to remove the HDD from the enclosure and install it inside your laptop.

 

Why can't I boot from the usb HDD? It shouldn't matter so long as it is bootable right? Oh well I guess my notebook will be outta action for a couple of weeks

 

I'm not 100% clear on the technical details so I went googling for an explanation. Here's one that I found:

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=723312&st=0&p=590439096&#entry590439096

 

That is pretty annoying. I have an e-sata port but no cable and really don't know if I want to invest in one (pretty low on cash )

Cheers for helping though ashura +rep to you mate

 

Yeah, sorry it won't work out. :/

I do also want to ask about your SSD though, you mentioned you're sending it in for replacement because of stuttering. Do you know what the brand/model of SSD is? Some drives inherently stutter because of a poor controller and no replacement will be able to compensate for it.

 

I am hoping they are no longer making this crappy model anymore. If they are then I get a brand new one back and I can flog it on e-bay for enough money to get a far superiour Hitachi Travelstar 5k500 drive. If they give me a bettter model then I will enjoy it

 

just wondering how do I get the usb HDD back to how it was so I can use it normally again? Presently I cannot even see it I guess is something to do with being a backup drive etc