Advice on fitting a SSD please

badlywornroy

badlywornroy

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I would like to install my windows 7 Op system + essential programs onto a Samsung 120GB 850 EVO SSD in my desktop PC

Currently the PC has a 1TB HDD with partition 'C' (136GB) with said Op system and essential programs and partition 'E' (794GB) on which I store photo's/music etc (I do back these up to external usb drive)

This is my planned method and I would welcome your thoughts.

I realise there are more ways to achieve this but I don't wish to over complicate the switch over if possible.

1. Remove existing HDD from PC

2. Install new SSD

3. Run Windows 7 repair disc from optical drive.

4. Select newly created Windows System Image of above partition 'C' (from external USB drive)

5. Hopefully I now have a functioning PC with OP system and programs on ssd drive !

6. Now I wish to reinstall the 1 TB HDD to use for photo/music storage. NB I have previously saved all the photos/music from partition 'E' to external USB.

7. Here is where I'm unsure ! I would hope to wipe/format ? the HDD return it to a single partition and reload my photos/music to it.

8. Will installing the HDD with the pre-existing Op system (prior to wiping) cause problems, i.e will the bios see to versions of Windows 7 ?

Many thanks for your thoughts/advice.


Roy
 
It depends how you originally set up. I tweaked the registry on installing win 7 so that now D:\users is my default user location. If you haven't done this I would see if you could clone you C drive to the SSD. Moving programs maybe harder. You could partition the SSD so that programs remain on E drive. If that works you could just delete the old C partition from you old HDD and extend the 'data' partition to use the entire drive (deleting the old programs folders).

Looking at my HDD, I would see if you could use the SSD as your pagefile too. I have mine on a separate partition to try and minimise fragmentation (old school).
 
The last time I did this I just backed everything up to an external drive, fitted the SSD then did a fresh install on Windows and formatted my HD.

Once installed I changed the location of all user files to the HD, then put my files back onto it.

One thing I would suggest if you haven't already bought the SSD is go for a 240gb version. I was recommended this when I first used SSD's but didn't listen (they were expensive back then) and have now had to change my systems over to new drives. It's surprising how they get filled.
 
Wissel said:
The last time I did this I just backed everything up to an external drive, fitted the SSD then did a fresh install on Windows and formatted my HD.

Once installed I changed the location of all user files to the HD, then put my files back onto it.

One thing I would suggest if you haven't already bought the SSD is go for a 240gb version. I was recommended this when I first used SSD's but didn't listen (they were expensive back then) and have now had to change my systems over to new drives. It's surprising how they get filled.
Click to expand...

I realise a fresh install is an option and I've just been reading that this is the way to get max efficiency out of the SSD (don't really understand the reasoning)

Can I ask, did you still have the existing HDD (including system partition) in your PC at the same time as your SSD with new install of Windows. This is the bit I that makes me nervous or does the bios know that the new install is the bootable one and ignore the old version ? or maybe it gives you a choice ??? Ideally if would boot from the new install and then I could get on and format the HDD and reload.
 
Make sure you set the BIOS setting for the sata ports to AHCI as well before installing windows.
 
robj20 said:
Make sure you set the BIOS setting for the sata ports to AHCI as well before installing windows.
Click to expand...

Ah ! thanks for that rob, I had previously read it but would probably have forgotten unless included in user instructions.
 
The reason you do a new installation as well is that upon first installing windows on an ssd with AHCI turned on different drivers are used and windows recognises the drive as an SSD so disables things like defragmentation. Install Samsung Magician and that will make sure its all set right as well, it will tell you if ahci is on or not and enable and disable the required settings in windows for you.
 
robj20 said:
The reason you do a new installation as well is that upon first installing windows on an ssd with AHCI turned on different drivers are used and windows recognises the drive as an SSD so disables things like defragmentation. Install Samsung Magician and that will make sure its all set right as well, it will tell you if ahci is on or not and enable and disable the required settings in windows for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks again, it was all a bit daunting to start with but starting to feel more confident now. SSD doesn't arrive until tomorrow.

Do you have any thoughts on reinstalling the original HDD with original system on it. Don't suppose it can be formatted before installing the SSD ?
 
Once you have the SSD setup and running just put the old drive back in and it should be fine and ready to format.
 
Remember to save your browser bookmarks, itunes folder, etc.
 
You could clone the OS disk to the new SSD but it may not be optimal due to the alignment of sectors (see http://uk.hardware.info/reviews/4583/how-to-copy-hdd-to-ssd-with-correct-4k-alignment) if you want the details.
I would say take the old drive out, install the SSD and do a clean install. Once done, attach the old drive (either in a USB caddy or internally) and copy over what you need to the SSD. If it's not big enough to back everything up then copy the original disk data contents you need (your pics, music etc) to another drive then flatten the original drive and reformat as a single big partition, then put your data back on it.

There'll be no problem having the new SSD with a Windows install on it as well as your original Windows system disk - the BIOS or UEFI will set which is the boot drive.
 
Fitted an SSD to my windows 7 machine made a big difference to the speed:)
I cloned the drive with macruim reflect it was straight forward and easy
The guys are right it is better to do a fresh install but didn't feel confident doing that
since the upgrade my pc hasn't missed a beat so cloning is an option
 
Thanks guys, you have all been a big help.

The PC is pretty new so not yet filled with 'crap' so despite my first post I have now decided to do a fresh install from the Windows recovery disc. Don't see any point in trying to save time by avoiding fresh install if the new SSD may not deliver optimal performance.

When complete and running I will reinstall the old HDD, format it and reload all my photos and music stuff.

If I get stuck as Arnie says "I'll be back"
 
Careful just cloning a disk onto a SSD. If the original Windows install was set up as an IDE partition instead of a AHCI partition, you'll not be getting the best from it.

I'd do a fresh install.
 
Ok guys,

Samsung EVO 120gb now fitted and working in i5 4590 8Gb ram PC.

The PC was pretty new and the 'C' drive was only around 60gb (going to keep it lean) so data would fit easily on a 120gb ssd

Only had a Windows 7 recovery disc and research suggested many had failed to use recovery disc on fresh install on Win 7 ! apparently doesn't like the HDD capacity being larger than the SSD (total capacity not actual data)

EVO supplied with 'SDM' Samsung Data Migration software but this would not work seems to be cloning ok but always fails, more googling suggests many find SDM crap.

So purchased (on recommendation) Paragon Migrate OS to SSD software £12.00 download.

Brilliant software, quick and intuitive and OS and programs on HDD sucessfully cloned to SSD.

Finally ran the supplied Samsung Magician software to optimise the SSD.

Amazing difference, extremely rapid startup and Photoshop CS 5 flies but the most benefit was when running Dxo Optics Pro10 a notoriously slow piece of software that seems about 5 x quicker.

Formatted the original 1TB HDD and now running alongside the ssd and storage for photofiles and music.
 
Life's too short for all that fannying around. Paragon do a tool specially designed for this job, it even handles partition alignment. LINK
 
hollis_f said:
Life's too short for all that fannying around. Paragon do a tool specially designed for this job, it even handles partition alignment. LINK
Click to expand...

Looks like that's exactly what the OP did.:rolleyes:

Personally, I'd rather save £12 !
 
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