G3 3500 ssd is full

Question

My G3 is about a year old. It has 8gb ram, 1 m.2 256mb and the open spot for a 2.5” sata ssd. Adding the 2.5 should be the easy button, but I would like to replace the m.2 with a 1Tb stick to keep the speed. I would also, in the future like to dual boot Linux too from the m.2.

I understand that I would need to clone the 256 on to the 1Tb with 3rd party software and there can be problems booting from usb.

I’m looking for input from people that know more than me.

Thanks Markinwi

JOcean · Accepted Answer

You can create an image and either send it to a 2.5" drive in the system or send it to an external drive. Now if you have a 3 cell battery then you can install a 2.5" drive in the system. Alternatively you can purchase an M.2 enclosure and place the new M.2 drive in the enclosure. Then you can clone the old drive to the new one. To create an image or clone the drive use a program such as Macrium Reflect Free available here. They have a number of tutorials on their site. You can also find videos on YouTube here for a tutorial.

If you clone the old drive you won't have to worry about booting from a USB drive. If you image the drive then create a Macrium Rescue Disk to boot from. F12 at boot should get you into the boot menu.

AdrianG001 · Answer

Run Windows 10 Disk Cleanup. Be sure to click System Files checkbox. You probably have tons of Windows 10 update files.

Markinwi · Answer

I have the new m.2 and an USB adapter, waiting for a new heat sink from Dell. I ran the cleanup and have some breathing room now. I downloaded macrium reflect free v8, made the rescue usb and booted it to verify it works. So as soon as the heat sink shows up I’ll give it a shot.

Thanks to JOcean and AdrainG001 for the advice.
Markinwi

JOcean · Answer

Happy to help out!

Inspiron

G3 3500 ssd is full

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