Clone from SSD to USB and test boot and clone back?

[johnp126]

I have a few x301's and can't figure out how to clone the drive ( i have tried ghost and acronis true image). both "clone" but then i cannot boot from the external USB. I need to get a method so i can "clone" the internal SSD to another drive and back to the internal SSD in case there is a problem with the main SSD drive. Other systems are simple because you have the built in Bay and can boot easily from it.. any help would be great