Swap out OS HD to SSD. Easy?

Marcus Geezer

Marcus Geezer

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,522
Name
Marcus
Edit My Images
Yes
Hiya. I currently run a PC and have it organised so that all my working files are on separate drives and my OS plus program files are on it's own drive at 500Gb. With 100Gb free space I'm not concerned about free space however would like to have a slight jump in boot up time for OS and software so looking at replacing the 500gb drive for an SSD. I don't want to faf about with a new installation of Win 10 plus all my software so hoping that I can install a new 500Gb SSD, do some kind of clone, tell my BIOS to point towards the new drive for bootup and job done.

The questions I have are...

Is it that easy really?
What would be the best software to use to clone the drive?
Would it ultimately be best to have an IT professional do it to ensure it works as it should?

Thank you.
 
Unfortunately I can't help you do it, but it's doable because our IT guy at work did the exact same thing for me. From off to desktop in 10 seconds, love it :D keep in mind that an SSD of that size will be pretty expensive compared to your current hd
 
htid said:
Unfortunately I can't help you do it, but it's doable because our IT guy at work did the exact same thing for me. From off to desktop in 10 seconds, love it :D keep in mind that an SSD of that size will be pretty expensive compared to your current hd
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris. Yes I know the price hikes a bit, but in the long run that will pale away as I bask in the glory of a faster system!
 
really easy I've used macrium reflex recently which is a doddle and free. If you can you're usually better with a fresh start but if you want to clone it that will do job in no time, when it's finished swap over drive and if it's on same sata channel probably won't even need to update the bios
 
I just swapped an HDD for a Samsung SSD. When researching the Samsung Data Migration Software seemed to get good reviews.

I didn't use it but it does exactly what you want. If you are happy hooking up an additional drive to your machine I would give it a go.
 
just to add if you have documents and stuff on it you could move them off first and shrink the volume if you want to use a smaller ssd for just the os it's still really easy to do and amazon usually have some good ssd deals over black friday if you're not in a huge rush
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Hiya. I currently run a PC and have it organised so that all my working files are on separate drives and my OS plus program files are on it's own drive at 500Gb. With 100Gb free space I'm not concerned about free space however would like to have a slight jump in boot up time for OS and software so looking at replacing the 500gb drive for an SSD. I don't want to faf about with a new installation of Win 10 plus all my software so hoping that I can install a new 500Gb SSD, do some kind of clone, tell my BIOS to point towards the new drive for bootup and job done.

The questions I have are...

Is it that easy really?
What would be the best software to use to clone the drive?
Would it ultimately be best to have an IT professional do it to ensure it works as it should?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
I have recently done similar and it is really quite straightforward - I was asked to document how I did it, so I did - here it is if of interest https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...und-500gb-capacity.599569/page-2#post-7002261
 
All my docs are on other drives, all that is on my OS drive is the OS and software which include Photoshop, Lightoom, Office, etc. I've completed a few clean up's recently and think that the 400Gb is what it is.

Thanks for the advice about Black Friday will wait till then and see what happens. Looking at a specific drive being the Crucial MX200 500GB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive with Adapter - CT500MX200SSD1, so unless anyone has other better suggestions will see if that price drops at all.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
All my docs are on other drives, all that is on my OS drive is the OS and software which include Photoshop, Lightoom, Office, etc. I've completed a few clean up's recently and think that the 400Gb is what it is.

Thanks for the advice about Black Friday will wait till then and see what happens. Looking at a specific drive being the Crucial MX200 500GB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive with Adapter - CT500MX200SSD1, so unless anyone has other better suggestions will see if that price drops at all.
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the Samsung 850 EVO? £115 and very highly regarded. It doesn't come with the adapter but not sure what you would use the included adapter for anyway, I think you'll still need to buy a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter tray to mount the drive in the case.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
I'll have a look at the Samsung. The crucial came very well recommended and comes with its own cloning software, with write ups saying all very slick and easy to use.
Click to expand...

TBH once they are in you won't know the difference. If you would be happier going with the one you've been recommended or think it will be easier to install choose that one.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
The questions I have are...

Is it that easy really?
What would be the best software to use to clone the drive?
Would it ultimately be best to have an IT professional do it to ensure it works as it should?
Click to expand...

  1. Yes ... I've done it.
  2. I used Macrium reflect Free ... connected the SSD via a USB lead and cloned from internal HDD to External SSD, then swapped HDD for SSD.
  3. Not, it isn't necessary ... just make sure you get the USB lead to connect the SSD in order to clone to it and take normal precautions to replace the HDD. There is probably a youtube video for exactly your machine.
 
1. Buy a disk docking station (eSATA and/or USB3). Connect it to your PC
2. Stick the SSD into the dock and use Acronis True Image Home to clone the HDD to the SSD
3. Remove the HDD from the PC and replace it with the SSD
4. Boot at super-speed.

The docking station is excellent for doing quick backups.
 
Hi Guys just reporting in. Decided not to wait till Black Friday and installed new drive last night. Tried using the packaged Acronis software and it was poop, just didn't work, took ages to load, ages to recognise the source and then destination drive, then kept asking me to re-boot my PC. In the end cloned using the Reflex software and a doddle. Process was clone OS HDD to SSD, swap over hard drives in machine. Update Bios with new boot drive. Job done. It really was that simple.

As for performance? On old drive from press on button to 'settled' system ready to use about 8 minutes, now less than a minute. Old system to load PS took about 2 minutes now takes about 15 seconds. Lightroom used to take up to about 5 minutes to get up and running fully now about 30 seconds. Chrome, office, etc just about instantaneous. Why did I not do this sooner!

In the near future I'm planning to flatten my system and re-load everything, which I'll know will improve boot up times again.

Thanks for your help everyone. Top advice! Have a great weekend!
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Hi Guys just reporting in. Decided not to wait till Black Friday and installed new drive last night. Tried using the packaged Acronis software and it was poop, just didn't work, took ages to load, ages to recognise the source and then destination drive, then kept asking me to re-boot my PC. In the end cloned using the Reflex software and a doddle. Process was clone OS HDD to SSD, swap over hard drives in machine. Update Bios with new boot drive. Job done. It really was that simple.

As for performance? On old drive from press on button to 'settled' system ready to use about 8 minutes, now less than a minute. Old system to load PS took about 2 minutes now takes about 15 seconds. Lightroom used to take up to about 5 minutes to get up and running fully now about 30 seconds. Chrome, office, etc just about instantaneous. Why did I not do this sooner!

In the near future I'm planning to flatten my system and re-load everything, which I'll know will improve boot up times again.

Thanks for your help everyone. Top advice! Have a great weekend!
Click to expand...

SSD's are great aren't they! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top