My 120gb ssd on my mint 19.3 desktop is full. I have a 240gb ssd in a laptop I'm not using. Can I clone the 120 gb onto the 240 gb in a non geeky way?, using Linux?

What do you mean by geeky? As in using the terminal to do stuff?

barriegarry,

One way is to use Clonezilla:

https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...o-image-38106/

Make absolutely sure which drive is which, clone using dd
The larger drive will be a clone of the smaller

Then move the end of the last partition to the end of the drive.
For example if you have 2 partitions on the drive. Using parted on /dev/sdb2
Then extend the file system to use that new space on the last partition.
Unhook the old drive, plug the new one in where you want it. Boot the machine.

When you clone drives like that, you get bad sectors, file system problems and all.

Better to do a fresh install on the new drive.

The OP wants "non geeky" - although I haven't used it in years, I second clonezilla in this case.

barriegarry,

Another way is to install Linux Mint 20 on the 240GB SSD and then copy/paste the personal data from the 120GB SSD.

To:Markd81:
using the terminal for me for "simple" commands is ok but the outlined commands from "teckk"for me is too much because I just don't understand them.

To:tecKK: Thank you for your reply but as I have no understanding of the commands I am fearful of going in blind.

To:beachboy2:I followed the link in your first reply and had the same reaction as I had to tecKK's suggestion.
so I guess I will have to use your second suggestion and copy/paste the night away.

Thank you all for your input, it means alot to have somewhere to go with questions.

barriegarry.

barriegarry,

On the 120GB SSD:
If you use Firefox, remember to export your bookmarks to bgbookmarks.html.

Also if you use Thunderbird remember to copy the profile folder in .thunderbird.

(Home folder > View > Show hidden files .thunderbird).

Copy and paste the contents of Documents, Picture, Downloads etc to the new versions on 240GB SSD (they will form a transfer queue).

Just leave the computer running overnight. No additional user input should be needed.

Just a FYI... A laptop typically uses a 2.5 inch drive versus 3.5 inch for a desktop. Both SATA drive sizes use the same electrical wiring but you will need a 2.5 to 3.5 drive mount adapter if you want to securely install the 2.5 inch drive in your desktop.

As you have discovered there is no non geeky way to clone the drive. Other options would be to get an external 2.5" USB case and use the drive just for files and data.

barriegarry,

As per michaelk's suggestion, try one of these for your SSD(s):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/IB-AC643-In...puters&sr=1-29

I have bought 3 or 4 over the years and they are well made with all the necessary screws included.

This link goes over 15 tools that do what you want, with various levels of skill required;
https://www.ubuntupit.com/top-15-bes...are-for-linux/

I'm probably biased from my early days as a UNIX (then, later, Linux) user but the best way to learn the system was through reading. Then doing more reading. I still think it's the best way to learn something like UNIX/Linux. Learn the foundations and grow from there. So...

Just a gentle (I hope) suggestion:

If you're going to be a Linux user, you will need to become familiar with the man pages. Don't understand what, for example, "dd" means? Issue "man dd" and read about it. If you're not exactly sure what command does what you want to do, you can also try issuing "apropos topic" which will return a list of commands that mention "topic" on their man page. (Note: as a "newbie", you'll be primarily interested in the commands in Section 1 of the man pages. "apropos" lists those with "(1)" in its output.) Still in the dark? Try searching the Internet using a search string something like "linux dd howto" or "dd tutorial" and read some of the top URLs returned. If none of that makes sense... sites like LQ can help but at least you've done a little homework and are better equipped to understand the help that is being offered.

HTH...