Within the earlier article (“From MicroSD to SSD: Ended up with a New Raspberry Pi 4 Case”), I talked about how I acquired a brand new Raspberry Pi 4 case as a result of I wished to modify from utilizing a microSD card to an SSD. However, I didn’t go into how I truly moved the working system and knowledge. In my case, it concerned Residence Assistant OS, and preserving all my knowledge and setup was essential to keep away from the complicated activity of configuring my sensible dwelling system from the start once more.
Now, on this article, I’ll stroll you thru the method and the steps I took to make that occur with the assistance of the GeeekPi Mini Tower NAS Package.
Earlier than making any modifications to your Raspberry Pi 4, it’s important to create a backup of your present Residence Assistant setup. Comply with these steps:
- Go to Settings > System > Backup in your Residence Assistant dashboard.
- Choose “Full Backup” to create an entire backup of your system.
As soon as the backup course of is full, obtain the backup file to your laptop for safekeeping.
Observe: In Residence Assistant, there’s an possibility to maneuver knowledge to a different storage location utilizing the “Settings > System > Storage” menu and the “Transfer Information Disk” button. Nevertheless, please remember that this methodology solely transfers knowledge, leaving the boot and working system on the microSD card. If this isn’t your required consequence, I like to recommend avoiding this selection.
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After creating the backup, set your Residence Assistant microSD card apart as a fallback in case of any points. To put in Residence Assistant on the SSD, you’ll want an SSD M.2 SATA Adapter. My selection was the ORICO M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure Adapter. Be certain that the chosen adapter helps M.2 NGFF SATA B+M Key. Right here’s how you can proceed:
- Disassemble the underside a part of the GeeekPi Mini Tower NAS Package case to entry and detach the SSD.
- Set up the SSD on the adapter.
- Join the SSD to your laptop utilizing the adapter.
To put in the Residence Assistant OS on the SSD, you’ll want to make use of the Raspberry Pi Imager:
- Join the SSD with the SATA adapter to your laptop.
- Open the Raspberry Pi Imager.
3. Select “Raspberry Pi 4” because the goal system.
4. Below “Select OS,” choose “Different specific-purpose OS” > “Residence assistants and residential automation” > “Residence Assistant.”
5. Choose your SSD because the storage system.
6. Click on “Subsequent” and comply with the on-screen directions to finish the set up.
7. Detach the SSD out of your laptop and SATA adapter and put it again into the GeeekPi Mini Tower NAS Package case.
The subsequent step I took was altering the boot order. Initially, the Raspberry Pi would boot from a microSD card, and solely then it could boot from a USB system if no card was current. Nevertheless, I wished to change this sequence. Whereas there are a number of methods to realize this, I confronted a slight problem as a result of I didn’t have microHDMI cable to attach the Raspberry Pi 4 to a monitor.
However I discovered a workaround by putting in a bootloader utilizing a spare microSD card. I required a distinct microSD card from the one I initially used for my Residence Assistant setup. Fortuitously, I got here throughout a smaller one from a Sensible Digicam, and as soon as once more, I turned to the Raspberry Pi Imager for help.
- Join the microSD card to your laptop utilizing one thing just like the Anker SD Card Reader in case your laptop doesn’t have a built-in SD slot.
- Open the Raspberry Pi Imager.
- Select “Raspberry Pi 4” because the system.
- After clicking on the ‘Select OS’ button, go to “Misc utility photos” > “Bootloader (Pi 4 household)” > “USB Boot”:
5. Choose the microSD card because the storage system.
6. Click on “Subsequent” and comply with the directions.
As soon as I had the bootloader put in on a microSD card, I inserted it into the Raspberry Pi, related the ability, waited for 30 seconds, after which turned off the system.
Observe: Sadly, I couldn’t confirm whether or not there was a inexperienced display screen on a related monitor as a result of I didn’t have a microHDMI cable. Nevertheless, I did observe that the LED, which some on-line guides talked about ought to flip strong inexperienced, didn’t exhibit this conduct. However, I assumed the method was full as a result of 30 seconds is often ample for the bootloader on the microSD card to work its magic.
Upon restarting the Raspberry Pi 4 and connecting to the native IP handle and port for Residence Assistant, voila! Residence Assistant efficiently booted from the SSD, initiating the preliminary setup course of.
After set up, you’re introduced with two choices: both to create a brand new Sensible Residence setup or to revive from a backup. I selected to revive from a backup. The interface resembled one thing like this:
After clicking on the ‘Restore from Backup’ button, you want to choose the backup file out of your laptop and proceed with the backup restoration course of.
After a short wait, it was all completed. I had a Raspberry Pi 4 and Residence Assistant, each booting from an SSD.
The nice information is that the whole lot proceeded easily, with no knowledge loss or configuration points in my authentic Residence Assistant setup. You possibly can apply this similar method to different working methods in your Raspberry Pi.
I hope you discovered my expertise of migrating Residence Assistant from a microSD to an SSD each informative and pleasant. Please be at liberty to share your ideas, questions, or your personal distinctive experiences with the method within the feedback part beneath.
