HDDSuperClone - A new Linux hard drive cloning/imaging tool

[athena]

Version 2.5.0 of the OpenSuperClone fork is now live, https://github.com/ISpillMyDrink/OpenSu ... tag/v2.5.0
Reddit user xak77 was kind enough to create a live ISO containing OSC aswell now, https://sourceforge.net/projects/opensuperclone-live/

Thanks a lot WildFloorLamp ,
I have subscribed to this github project but somehow missed that update.

[InRecoveryWeTrust]

Hello, I am looking for some help with using OpenSuperClone. I already received some guidance from Arch Stanton and xak77.

So, here is my situation:

I have a MacBook Pro (Early 2015) [the specific model is A1502 EMC 2835]. It has an internal SSD (Samsung S4LN058A01 8030). If the info here (https://beetstech.com/product/solid-sta ... J8z3iussmn) is correct, the SSD uses ASCI protocol and is PCIe 3.0 x4.

If anyone wants the full history of my problem, please let me know. But I'll just shorten it to where things stand as of now.

I have a bootable OSC flash, and I tried using it to copy the data off my internal SSD. At first, I just used the default settings, and tried creating an image of my internal SSD. It got to 15GB and then my internal SSD disconnected. I had to shut off my Mac to get it to reappear (I couldn't select it as the source drive because it wasn't visible). The next session, instead of trying doing the same thing, I followed the virtual disk drive from the HDDSuperClone YT channel. It was off to a great start, as I could see my Macintosh HD partition, see all the files and folders on it. When I tried copying a 10GB folder, the same problem happened. My internal SSD disconnected mid-operation.

The drive clearly has some problem that's causing it to keep disconnecting. I feel like OSC is capable of copying the data off my internal SSD, I just need someone to share which method to follow. There are a lot of settings, and learning which parameters to change for the job is something that comes with experience... and that's something I unfortunately do not have :/

Thanks to everyone who tries to help me! This whole experience has been incredibly stressful.

I shared my situation on multiple forums and platforms. It's leaving people pretty confused and they don't know how to help me. I had the luck of stumbling across this forum and this very thread, which is the only place where I found the founder of HDDSuperClone posting to. I see that the most reputable figures in the scene are here. On Reddit, I already spoke with xak77 (OpenSuperClone).

I'm desperate for a solution, and I firmly believe that it's possibly to get the data off my internal SSD.

[Arch Stanton]

A drive, a SSD connected through USB "dropping" is quite common and this has been explained to you. It's not confusing at all. OSC and HSC have been suggested because you insisted on DIY. If you'd give the drive to a lab chances are they'll be able to clone the drive using a USB Stabilizer without too much trouble. I have cloned plenty drives like this, but stress largely comes from you trying to reinvent the wheel and going from one problem to the next.

[InRecoveryWeTrust]

A drive, a SSD connected through USB "dropping" is quite common and this has been explained to you. It's not confusing at all. OSC and HSC have been suggested because you insisted on DIY. If you'd give the drive to a lab chances are they'll be able to clone the drive using a USB Stabilizer without too much trouble. I have cloned plenty drives like this, but stress largely comes from you trying to reinvent the wheel and going from one problem to the next.

I think there has been a misunderstanding (or I'm the one missing the point).

My internal SSD isn't connected through USB! My external HDD is connected through USB, but I'm failing to understand why that would cause my internal SSD to disconnect. The internal SSD is seated inside my MacBook Pro.

I'm wondering whether I can use Direct AHCI mode with my internal SSD. So far, I only saw SATA drives being mentioned with the Direct AHCI mode. Would appreciate to hear some thoughts from maximus, thesourcerer8, or anyone else that could help me out.

While I was still able to access my Macintosh HD partition through macOS Terminal (in recovery mode), I managed to copy the most important files. This said, I am trying my luck with DIY. Like I said, I believe OSC can get the job done, it's just a matter of setting the right parameters.

[Lardman]

What you're referring to as an internal ssd on your mac isn't what most of us consider an internal ssd.

I've already said your best chance of recovery is to pass this on to a dr pro with the tools to clone it properly before you kill it completely, you don't want to do that. You should expect these drives to go offline when attempting to clone, so get it out of your mac, buy the correct adapters to power it via a usb enclosure and hook that enclosure up to a relay so it can be powered off and on when the drive drops - all that can be done within OSC. Why you're not able to read the project file from the first 16GB you imaged and continue on from there - I have no idea though.

You're expecting this to be as simple as a copy operation - it isn't the drive is failing.

[InRecoveryWeTrust]

What you're referring to as an internal ssd on your mac isn't what most of us consider an internal ssd.

This explains it!

When I say internal SSD, I am referring to the stock SSD that's still connected through PCIe inside my MacBook Pro.

I've already said your best chance of recovery is to pass this on to a dr pro with the tools to clone it properly before you kill it completely

I already have the files that mean the most to me, so please explain to my why I would send it off to a data recovery lab to do something I don't need? I'm sorry, but I don't have 500 euros lying around. In my country, that's many people's monthly salary.

I'm just trying to get you to understand why I am trying to do this job myself instead of going to a professional. If I was financially stable and could afford sending my Mac to a specialist, trust me, I would've done that. But I am not fortunate enough to be in such a position. I am doing everything in my power, researching, asking professionals, everything to learn how to resolve my problem and do the data recovery myself.

You're expecting this to be as simple as a copy operation

Not really. I am just expecting it to be possible to get it done within OSC. As you suggested, it is possible if I get a USB enclosure + power relay.

If you are willing to answer one question: is it possible to use Direct AHCI mode with my internal SSD connected through PCIe?

If it is possible, I would try following a guide from HDDSuperClone YT channel. If it's possible, I want to give it one last try. I just need to know if it's possible to use Direct AHCI mode without having my SSD in an USB enclosure.

[Lardman]

Getting the drive out of the mac and into an enclosure if the fist step, and you don't even want to do that. There's not guarantee that the drive will remain viable at all.

I am just expecting it to be possible to get it done within OSC. As you suggested, it is possible if I get a USB enclosure + power relay.

No, putting the drive in an enclosure will give you control over the power that's all, so when the drive locks up it wont lock the machine/bus up which by the looks is what is happening when you're trying to clone with the drive with it in the mac.


Funny how it's always mac users pleading poverty when it comes to recovery but never when it's time to pay the Apple tax.

[fzabkar]

Funny how it's always mac users pleading poverty when it comes to recovery but never when it's time to pay the Apple tax.

LOL. I've noticed that, too. I guess a trillion-dollar company needs to get its lucre from somewhere.

[77xak]

Version 2.5.0 of the OpenSuperClone fork is now live, https://github.com/ISpillMyDrink/OpenSu ... tag/v2.5.0
Reddit user xak77 was kind enough to create a live ISO containing OSC aswell now, https://sourceforge.net/projects/opensuperclone-live/

I figure it would be a good idea to post an update here. I (finally) got around to pushing a new stable version of the OSC-Live OS including version 2.5.0 and some other nice updates: https://sourceforge.net/projects/opensuperclone-live/.

If anyone has recommendations for features they would like to see added, or experiences any bugs or issues with the OS (not with OpenSuperClone itself) please let me know! I'm most responsive on reddit (https://www.reddit.com/user/77xak/), and I of course check Sourceforge tickets periodically as well.

Change log
v.25.09.14:

Base OS:

Updated to Xubuntu 24.04 LTS (from 20.04)
Updated to Linux kernel 6.8.0-79

OpenSuperClone:

Updated to version 2.5.0 Stable

Secure Boot Fixes:

Updated bootloaders in /EFI/BOOT/ to include SHIM v.15.8 to resolve a Secure Boot error caused by an Aug. 2024 update to Microsoft's Secure Boot Forbidden Signature Database
Added self-signed copy of "oscdriver.ko" to /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/updates/dkms/
Added script "ENROLL SECURE BOOT KEYS" to the Desktop. (After enrolling the MOK key, OSC's Virtual Driver and Direct Modes can function in secure boot mode.)
Added script "REMOVE SECURE BOOT KEYS" to the Desktop. (To delete the secure boot key from the UEFI when finished.)

Other Changes:

Added package gnome-disk-utility
Added package vlc
Added AppImage QDiskInfo
Added more launchers to the desktop for useful programs
Removed some unnecessary packages

[terminator2]

Version 2.5.0 of the OpenSuperClone fork is now live, https://github.com/ISpillMyDrink/OpenSu ... tag/v2.5.0
Reddit user xak77 was kind enough to create a live ISO containing OSC aswell now, https://sourceforge.net/projects/opensuperclone-live/

Thanks a lot 77xak for all the efforts & time ,appreciate all the efforts & keeping the flame alive.
I regularly check for updates .

[maximus]

So the hddsuperclone.com domain is up for renewal in a couple weeks. I would like to not renew it if possible, but I don't know if there is any other good source for the same information. I don't want to just abandon the domain and content, but I also have not been updating it since I quit maintaining the software. Thoughts?

[fzabkar]

@maximus, can you save the important content to the HDD Guru Files area?

Alternatively, the Wayback Machine might be interested in archiving your entire project.

[maximus]

Technically the website would still be available, just not easy to find. It is a google site, so it is free to exist as long as I have the account. I don't plan on deleting it, just thinking about letting the domain go so I don't have to pay for it.

[grevan]

I asked the same question on a OSC Reddit post.
I´m not a Linux expert, i want to install OSC on a PC, my doubt is how to create the same boot menu as the Live CD, with "disable/hide ATA" option.

Another idea came to mind, maybe it could be easier to costumize the ISO file? Don´t know, i just want to install DMDE, UFS Explorer and OBS Studio on top.

Thanks for any directions.

[grevan]

I got a reply:
"The OSC .iso was built using the tool "Cubic". You could use Cubic to customize further, just load the official .iso into it as the base. It will retain all of the custom bootloader config."

[WildFloorLamp]

I really like maximus' HDDSuperTool scripting language but I found the documentation to be quite hard to read.
That part of the documentation has now been added to the OSC wiki page https://github.com/ISpillMyDrink/OpenSu ... -Reference
Excuse any mistakes I might have made, they will be corrected.

Since I like my modern IDEs and syntax checking I built a Visual Studio Code extension with language support for what I call OSCScript now (had to call it something).
It includes extensive tooltips for the entire scripting language, basic syntax checking, and it implements definition and reference jumps in subroutines.
Pre-release for that is here: https://github.com/ISpillMyDrink/oscscr ... tag/v0.0.1

Feedback is appreciated.

[grevan]

Any tips please.
So i´m cloning this 2 tb USB Toshiba MQ04UBD200, dropped, making clicking noises (mostly on the start and end), but could manage to get 90% data on Phase 1. Now on Phase 2 it´s reading slow from the end and i´m getting some skip resets from time to time, but the problem is, everytime it stops, and i Re-Connect and Start, it starts checking all the 1.7 GB of data from the image file saved. It takes forever, is that a way of skipping that? Would a relay prevent that?
Thanks

[grevan]

I meant 1.7 Tb not Gb

[Arch Stanton]

I had one, clicking went away as soon as hooked up to DeepSpar USB Stabilizer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9oekMvu6ys

[fzabkar]

everytime it stops, and i Re-Connect and Start, it starts checking all the 1.7 GB of data from the image file saved. It takes forever, is that a way of skipping that? Would a relay prevent that?

I would think so.

I think a nice enhancement for this tool would be a SATA redriver IC that could be switched on and off under program control. That would be a kind of soft reset.