HDD to SDD summary

I've read through the various threads on HDD/SDD replacement on the BM5 and I thought I would summarize (to verify my understanding is correct, and to possibly save others from reading through multiple threads):

1)  It is easiest to use an offline disk cloner to copy your old disk to the new.  The following cloners are known to work: Sharkoon Quickport XT Duo Clone and deleyCON DUAL USB3 Dockingstation

2)  EaseUS Todo Backup Free is a free tool that has been successfully used to clone a BM5 disk (HDD to HDD, use sector copy).  There seem to be issues using software tools to clone to a SSD.

3)  If migrating to an SSD, you should use Crucial MX100 / MX300 SSD (512GB and 1050GB are both known to work).  Samsung's definitely do not work.

4)  If you want to increase your disk size, you need to either have access to the BM5 Service Tool, or use "gparted" on Linux (or possibly a Windows tool) to modify the "Data" partition.  Do not change the "System" or "BM-System" partitions.  You may have to run "BM Recovery" after resizing the partition to get it working reliably.

 

Did I get this right?  Please comment to correct/clarify my understanding.  

Thanks.

To 1) and 3), yes. Correct.

I did not go from HDD to SDD , but from 500GB HDD to 1000GB HDD.

4) you are correct, I used geparted, you fo jot have to have a Linux PC to run gparted. You may use a Linux boot Stick with gparted . Set your BIOS to boot from USB Stick

I have now done both:  500GB HDD to 1TB HDD and 500GB HDD to 525GB SSD (Crucial MX 300).  I took a different path because I didn't realize my disk cloner had 4-5 weeks shipping and I didn't feel like waiting.  Instead, I used the service tool:

1) copy music off of old disk via service menu and external USB drive

2) install new drive

3) boot from service tool.  Select "Clone entire HDD".  When finished remove service tool and reboot.

4) During reboot, select "Recovery"

5) After recovery restart, select "Recovery" again via SETTINGS menu

6)  After this reboot, update software via SETTINGS menu

7)  Copy music back to new drive via service menu and external USB drive 

8)  Wait...  it takes a while for MOTS to run and to get the N.Music stations.

I suppose 1) and 7) could be done by mounting the BM5 as a network drive

This method automatically makes the entire disk available.  I didn't have to do anything special to get it to recognize all of the 1TB HDD.  

I tried using the "Restore" function from the service tool, but I could not get it to work (nor could I find any documentation on it aside from the screen shot in one of the threads here).

I bought a ~$3 Crucial 3.5 to 2.5 in disk tray which didn't fit very well.  I could only get one screw on each side fit as the other holes did not line up.  Oh well, the SSD isn't nearly as heavy or delicate as a HDD.  I think it will do just fine.  However, if I was doing this again, I'd find another tray.

I also think that some day, B&O will turn off the server that supplies the software updates so it's probably a good idea to keep a full disk backup of your updated/working BM5 for long term support so you can do the "simple method" (hardware disk cloner) in the future.  Then again, it is my understanding that SSDs mostly wear from writing, and the BS5 doesn't do a lot of writing so an SSD may live a long time in the application.

Finally, I really like the speed provided by the SSD.  I few years ago, when I first heard of people doing this, I thought it was overkill.  No longer.

Thanks for everyone who helped me with this (mostly by posting and answering in the past).

Hi Stan

Thanks for your reply and approach used, happy it works for you.

Regarding the mounting of the ssd and the tray, I had same issue so I only used one screw and it has been working until now.

My BM5 is currently being shipped from Australia to Denmark in a container, it is survives I think you should be all good ;-)

And yes, the ssd really makes a big difference in the usage and usability of my BS5.