Area-51 R5, new Samsung 980 Pro 2TB SSD

Question

Hello, I am trying to upgrade my  Area-51 R5 with a new new Samsung 980 Pro 2TB SSD. I already upgraded once from a 512 to a Samsung 970 1TB SSD using Micrium Reflect and had no problems. But now I had tried using Micrium Reflect (latest version) and Minitool Partition wizard (latest Version), and every time I put the new 2TB Samsung 980 Pro after the cloning, when the computer starts can´t find a bootable device. I read the Area-51 R5 manual to see if it its not compatible with a 2TB SSD, but could not find if its compatible or not? Can anyone give me some advice if the Samsung 980 Pro 2TB SSD is compatible with an Area-51 R5? Or is there a limit of 1TB? Or if it is compatible give some ideas on why after cloning the drive it does not find a bootable drive? It just try to start but after a while I tells me that it can´t find a bootable device. Regards,

speedstep · Accepted Answer

@INXSEX

@Tesla1856

Please press the blue Accept as Solution button below if this post answers your question.

NVME upgrades for Dell Systems FAQ

The 980 PRO is a PCI-E M2 drive.

980 pro m2.jpg

Samsung has specific NON Windows drivers and cloning software called data migration software.

The procedure is to install the M2 blank and install the Samsung driver.

Then clone with the DATA migration software.

One problem is that the default setting is INTEL RST OPTANE instead of MSAHCI driver.

So you have to edit the BCD to change windows to AHCI BEFORE cloning or anything else.

Then install the Samsung Driver.

Then clone with the data migration software.

Samsung NVMe™ SSD driver
Required for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

NVMe™ Driver
Version 3.3 | 4.72MB DOWNLOAD
Samsung_NVM_Express_Driver_3.3

NVMe™ Driver Installation Guide
678KB DOWNLOAD
Samsung_NVMeDriver_InstallationGuide

Samsung Data Migration software is designed to help users quickly, easily, and safely migrate all of their data – including their current operating system, application software, and user data – from their existing storage device (e.g. HDD) to their new Samsung SSD.

Data Migration Software User guide

Data_Migration_User Guide

Data Migration Software

SAMSUNG Data Migration Software

Vanadiel · Answer

You should only have to use Macrium Reflect. Not sure why you would be using Partition Wizard.

After you cloned the old drive to the new drive, you have to remove the old drive from the system and only have the new drive connected.

Tesla1856 · Answer

First of all, when you are talking about ANY SSD, it really helps us to know if it's M.2-2280-NVMe SSD or a 2.5inch SATA-3/600 SSD.

If a 1tb drive works, so will a 2tb one. (period)

Instead of cloning, use Macrium Reflect to create an image-file (with verify on). Boot the Macrium Recovery USB and restore it to "bare metal" (and only the one internal drive connected inside).

jdubyas · Answer

have you tried using Samsung's data migration software? SSD Tools & Software | Download | Samsung Semiconductor

INXSEX · Answer

Thanks a lot @speedstep, using Samsung Data Migration Software was the solution. Now i have my AREA 51 R5 up and runing with the new Samsung 980 PRO 2TB.

I never had so much trouble cloning a NVME SSD drive before, i was about to give in, i dont know where Dell Alienware will be without the help of the users in this forum, because i have premium support but for nothing, i am still waiting to hear from them, hahahahaha.

Really really thank you.

Regards.

Alienware Desktops

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