How to get data off ssd with low transfer speed​？

When dealing with an SSD with a low transfer speed and you want to get data off it, here are several methods and considerations:

I. Check for Hardware Issues

Connection Interface

SATA Cable and Ports: If the SSD is a SATA – based drive, check the SATA cable. A damaged or low – quality SATA cable can significantly reduce the transfer speed. Replace it with a new, high – quality cable. Make sure the cable is properly plugged into both the SSD and the motherboard’s SATA port. Sometimes, a loose connection can also lead to performance degradation.

M.2 Slot (for M.2 SSDs): For M.2 SSDs, ensure that the drive is properly seated in the M.2 slot. Dust or debris in the slot can interfere with the connection. If possible, remove the SSD carefully, clean the slot and the connectors on the SSD using compressed air, and then re – insert it.

Power Supply

Inadequate power supply to the SSD can cause it to operate at sub – optimal speeds. Check the power connections, especially if the SSD is an add – on component. Some high – performance SSDs require a more stable power source. For example, if you are using a PCIe – based SSD that draws more power, make sure the power connectors on the motherboard are providing sufficient power.

BIOS/UEFI Settings

Enter the BIOS/UEFI of your computer. Look for settings related to the SSD, such as the SATA mode. If it’s set to an older or slower mode like IDE mode instead of AHCI mode (for SATA SSDs), it can limit the transfer speed. Change the setting to AHCI if possible and supported by your system. AHCI enables advanced features like Native Command Queuing (NCQ), which can improve the performance of the SSD.

II. Software – Based Solutions

Disk Management Tools

Windows:

Use the built – in Disk Management utility. Right – click on the Start menu and select “Disk Management”. Locate the SSD in the list of drives. You can try to format the drive if it’s not already formatted in an optimal way. However, formatting will erase all data, so make sure you have a backup if needed. If the drive has a lot of fragmented data (unlikely for an SSD, but possible in some cases), you can try to optimize it. In Windows, you can use the “Optimize Drives” feature, which can help in rearranging data for better access times.

Third – party disk management tools like EaseUS Partition Master can also be useful. These tools can provide more advanced features such as partition resizing, data cloning, and drive health checks. For example, if you want to move data from a slow – performing partition of the SSD to a faster – performing one, you can use the partition resizing feature to create more space on the desired partition and then copy the data over.

Mac:

The Disk Utility application in macOS can be used to manage the SSD. You can repair disk permissions, which might improve the speed at which data is accessed. To do this, open Disk Utility, select the SSD in the sidebar, and click on the “First Aid” button. This process checks and repairs any file system errors that could be affecting performance. You can also use third – party Mac – friendly disk tools like DiskWarrior to optimize the disk and get data off more efficiently.

Data Transfer Software

Direct Copy:

Use the simple file copy function of your operating system. In Windows, you can use File Explorer to copy and paste files from the SSD to another storage device. However, to speed up the process, you can try to copy multiple files or folders in batches rather than one at a time. This reduces the overhead associated with each file transfer operation.

On Mac, the Finder can be used for similar file – copying operations. You can also use the “Command + C” and “Command + V” shortcuts to copy and paste files more quickly.

Data Backup and Restore Software:

Software like Acronis True Image allows you to create a backup of the SSD. You can then restore the data to another storage device at a later time. This software can be useful if you want to transfer the entire contents of the SSD, including the operating system and installed applications. It compresses the data during backup, which can save space and potentially speed up the transfer process in some cases.

Macrium Reflect is another popular option for Windows users. It has features like differential and incremental backups, which can be used to update the backup more efficiently over time. When you want to get the data off the SSD, you can restore the backup to a different drive with better transfer speeds.

Check for Background Processes

Windows:

Open the Task Manager (by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Go to the “Processes” tab and look for any applications that might be using a lot of disk I/O resources. For example, if a virus – scanning program is running a full – disk scan in the background, it can slow down the data transfer process. You can either pause or stop such processes temporarily until you have finished transferring the data.

Some cloud – storage syncing services like Dropbox or OneDrive can also consume disk resources. If you have a large number of files being synced, it can affect the transfer speed. You can pause the syncing process or adjust the sync settings to reduce the impact.

Mac:

Use the Activity Monitor (you can find it in the Utilities folder). Similar to Windows, look for processes that are using a lot of disk activity. For example, Time Machine backups can slow down other disk operations. You can pause the Time Machine backup if you need to quickly get data off the SSD.

III. Consider Alternative Transfer Methods

External Enclosure

If the internal connection of the SSD is causing issues, you can remove the SSD and place it in an external enclosure. There are different types of enclosures available for SATA and M.2 SSDs. Once the SSD is in the enclosure, connect it to your computer via a USB port. Make sure to use a high – speed USB port such as USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 Gen 2. which can provide much faster transfer speeds than older USB standards. Some enclosures also support Thunderbolt connections for even faster data transfer on Macs and some high – end PCs.

Network Transfer

If you have another computer or a network – attached storage (NAS) device on your network, you can try to transfer the data over the network.

Wired Network: If your computers are connected via Ethernet, make sure you are using at least a Gigabit Ethernet connection (1000Mbps). You can use file – sharing protocols such as SMB (Server Message Block) in Windows or AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) in Mac to transfer data between the SSD – containing computer and the destination device.

Wireless Network: If you have to use a wireless connection, make sure you are using a high – speed Wi – Fi standard such as Wi – Fi 6 (802.11ax). However, wireless transfer speeds are generally slower than wired connections, and the actual speed can be affected by factors such as distance from the access point, interference from other devices, and the number of devices connected to the network. You can use software like AirDroid for Android or iCloud Drive for iOS and Mac to transfer data wirelessly.