Problems upgrading hdd to ssd

[PringleBeagle]

I posted recently about upgrading ram and ssd. Upgrading the ram was simple! But the ssd is giving me grief.

The PC is a Lenovo C340, and I've now got a Samsung Evo 870 ssd inside a drive carrier. I didn't format the new drive as I'd read I could install Linux from the live USB and partitioning would happen at the same time. But I couldn't get the PC to recognise the ssd - it wasn't in BIOS at all.

I think either the carrier or ssd connection is faulty, as I've popped the original hdd back in the machine and it works just like before.

But I've now noticed a couple of things are off with my hdd, too. The hdd icon doesn't appear on the desktop any more. When I open the Computer shortcut and try to browse the drive manually I get an error:

Unable to mount location. Can't mount file.

Despite the message everything seems to be working as before: my files, programs etc all seem to be as before.

I'm at a loss as to what to try next, and whether the problem is the ssd, hdd or PC. Can I fix the issue from home (as a newbie!)?

Fresh system info for context:

Code: Select all

System:    Kernel: 5.13.0-27-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 
           wm: muffin dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:   Type: Desktop System: LENOVO product: 10102 v: Lenovo C340 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: LENOVO model: MAHOBAY v: Win8 STD MM DPK IPG serial: <filter> UEFI: LENOVO 
           v: ELKT31AUS date: 03/21/2013 
CPU:       Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Pentium G2030 bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Ivy Bridge 
           rev: 9 L2 cache: 3072 KiB 
           flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 11973 
           Speed: 2993 MHz min/max: 1600/3000 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2458 2: 2306 
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v2/3rd Gen Core processor Graphics vendor: Lenovo 
           driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:0152 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
           resolution: 1600x900~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 2500 (IVB GT1) v: 4.2 Mesa 21.2.6 
           compat-v: 3.0 direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio vendor: Lenovo 
           driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:1c20 
           Device-2: Z-Star Micro type: USB driver: snd-usb-audio,uvcvideo bus ID: 2-1.6:5 
           chip ID: 0ac8:c450 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.13.0-27-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet vendor: Lenovo 
           driver: r8169 v: kernel port: e000 bus ID: 03:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8168 
           IF: enp3s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: Broadcom and subsidiaries BCM4313 802.11bgn Wireless Network Adapter 
           driver: wl v: kernel port: e000 bus ID: 05:00.0 chip ID: 14e4:4727 
           IF: wlp5s0 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 89.63 GiB (9.6%) 
           ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Seagate model: ST1000DM003-1CH162 size: 931.51 GiB 
           speed: 3.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 915.40 GiB used: 89.63 GiB (9.8%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2 
USB:       Hub: 1-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 2 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Hub: 1-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 4 rev: 2.0 
           chip ID: 8087:0024 
           Hub: 2-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 2 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Hub: 2-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 
           chip ID: 8087:0024 
           Device-1: 2-1.1:3 info: Lenovo type: Keyboard,HID driver: hid-generic,usbhid rev: 2.0 
           chip ID: 17ef:602d 
           Device-2: 2-1.2:4 info: Logitech M105 Optical Mouse type: Mouse 
           driver: hid-generic,usbhid rev: 2.0 chip ID: 046d:c077 
           Device-3: 2-1.6:5 info: Z-Star Micro type: Video,Audio driver: snd-usb-audio,uvcvideo 
           rev: 2.0 chip ID: 0ac8:c450 
           Hub: 3-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 2 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Hub: 4-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 2 rev: 3.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0003 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 47.0 C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/blaze-main-focal.list 
           1: deb http: //ppa.launchpad.net/blaze/main/ubuntu focal main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb https: //mirror.cov.ukservers.com/linuxmint una main upstream import backport
           2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn-stable.list 
           1: deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/protonvpn-stable-archive-keyring.gpg] https: //repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sebastian-stenzel-cryptomator-focal.list 
           1: deb http: //ppa.launchpad.net/sebastian-stenzel/cryptomator/ubuntu focal main
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list 
           1: deb [arch=amd64,arm64,armhf] http: //packages.microsoft.com/repos/code stable main
Info:      Processes: 216 Uptime: 16m Memory: 7.65 GiB used: 3.79 GiB (49.6%) Init: systemd v: 245 
           runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.4.0 alt: 9 Client: Unknown python3.8 client inxi: 3.0.38 

[mikeflan]

I didn't format the new drive as I'd read I could install Linux from the live USB and partitioning would happen at the same time. But I couldn't get the PC to recognise the ssd - it wasn't in BIOS at all.

I suggest you format the drive to EXT4 and try again. From memory my new drives would not work either until I formatted them.

[all41]

I'd read I could install Linux from the live USB and partitioning would happen at the same time

This is somewhat correct. Use the 'something else' option to make the partitions on the fly.
You can also pre-define the partitions--but you will still use the 'something else' option to point the install
Ask further help here if you're unsure about this.
Tell if there is a Windows in the mix--dual boot?

[PringleBeagle]

Thanks for the replies. What I'm wondering now the existing internal hard drive is playing up too, is whether the PC's SATA connection is faulty? I think I might be stuck if so, as there's no cable, just a port to plug into directly.

I suggest you format the drive to EXT4 and try again. From memory my new drives would not work either until I formatted them.

This may be a stupid question! but do I need to do that externally via a drive enclosure if the PC won't recognise it?

This is somewhat correct. Use the 'something else' option to make the partitions on the fly.
You can also pre-define the partitions--but you will still use the 'something else' option to point the install
Ask further help here if you're unsure about this.
Tell if there is a Windows in the mix--dual boot?

Where is the 'something else' option? It's not in the splash screen menu when I load via live usb, and when I try to install from the desktop icon the installer keeps crashing.

In answer to your question, when I run my PC via the internal hard drive it's just Linux, not a dual boot (though it was originally a Windows machine).
And the ssd is completely blank / unused.

Thanks for the pointers!

[Mint Leaf]

This is somewhat correct. Use the 'something else' option to make the partitions on the fly.
You can also pre-define the partitions--but you will still use the 'something else' option to point the install
Ask further help here if you're unsure about this.
Tell if there is a Windows in the mix--dual boot?

Where is the 'something else' option? It's not in the splash screen menu when I load via live usb, and when I try to install from the desktop icon the installer keeps crashing.

After clicking the "Install Linux Mint" icon the "Something Else" option appears on the "Installation type" section of the install program.

[PringleBeagle]

After clicking the "Install Linux Mint" icon the "Something Else" option appears on the "Installation type" section of the install program.

Ah - I can't get that far. After clicking the install icon, then allowing multimedia codecs, the PC disconnects itself from wifi. I've tried reconnecting but, either way, I'm not shown the screen you have. I have a button to continue installation, but clicking it returns an error message about the installer having crashed.

In my case, is the error related to the ssd not being connected?

Am I needlessly worrying about the SATA connection if my hard drive is functioning but not mounting?

[asinoro]

Why you don't buy an external usb case to put the ssd reformat and migrate the partitions with gparted from hdd to ssd from live usb?

[PringleBeagle]

Why you don't buy an external usb case to put the ssd reformat and migrate the partitions with gparted from hdd to ssd from live usb?

OK, that answers my earlier question above - thanks. I'll hold off for a while as I'm not sure my PC will recognise even a formatted ssd, given the problems with the hard drive (if anyone can answer on that front I'd appreciate it). Or are you saying I can run the OS, programs etc from the external ssd?

[asinoro]

A technical problem often needs a technician, you have a ssd, a hdd, sata connections that maybe not work well. In any case you will have hdd-ssd case where you can do some useful operations among them to install and run an OS, of course not with the same expectations as an internal drive.

[mikeflan]

This may be a stupid question! but do I need to do that externally via a drive enclosure if the PC won't recognise it?

No matter what condition the drive is in (formatted or not), if Disks or Gparted does not see it, then you are sunk. I suggest you format with Disks if you have a choice.

Or are you saying I can run the OS, programs etc from the external ssd?

You should install on an internal partition.

After you format and mount the drive run this is a terminal and post the results:

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df -Th

[PringleBeagle]

Sorry - I think I've been a bit mad

I don't think I have a problem with my SATA port after all (or if I did, it's resolved itself). I think what I have is either a brand new ssd or drive carrier with a faulty SATA connection. If so that's not as bad as I'd been fearing.

Thanks for the advice, all. Looks like I'll need to replace either of the above first, and then will either try to mount again internally or as some have been suggesting, format it first through an external enclosure. I'll need to look online how exactly to do that