HDD to SSD

[Music Guy123]

Hi there,

I am a little confused by this whole thing so I really need this in very easy and clear steps!!! Basically I currently have an HDD drive but I want to change that to a SSD drive. I haven't yet bought the SSD drive but I have been recommended one by a friend. The only problem is, is that I don't know how to move windows and all my programs onto the SSD drive. It might be worth saying that I have two drive slots in my laptop, both of which are filled with HDD drives but I want to swap the one containing windows and my programs.

Any help would be much appreciated!!!

 

[whs]

See my tutorial for details: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html if you have questions, post back.

PS: you are lucky to have 2 drive bays. Then you do not an external enclosure. Keep the drive with the OS in the laptop and replace the other disk with the SSD. Later you can still switch them.

If you really want to make your life easy, take the progrm from Paragon that I linked in the tutorial.

 

[Music Guy123]

Thank u very much.

Just a couple of questions, how do I disable defragmentation on just one hard drive???

I am proposing to put the OS and some programs on the drive. The OS is explained in the tutorial but the programs, do I just cut and paste???

Currently, I have two hdd in my laptop, one for the OS and the programs and the other for data like music and docs. I was thinking to temporarily remove the music and docs one with the ssd while I move across the OS and other stuff, is that right???

When I have finished transferring the stuff, do I just take out the hdd and put the ssd in the c bay??? What would happen if I left them both in???

At the end of your tutorial, you mentioned about what not to do when moving files, I got a little confused!!! Please could you exposing it to me!!!

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for the help so far! BTW, I will be doing the easy way hopefully!!!

 

[whs]

1. Type Defrag into Start/search. There you can schedule disks individually. You can also right click on the disk/partition in Computer, go to Properties > Tools tab and defrag from there whenever you like.

2. When you move the OS, the program files and all the program settings are automatically moved with it. And DO NOT cut/paste - that would create a mess.

3. Yes, for the OS transfer you have to remove the data disk and put the SSD into that bay. Once the OS works again from the SSD (you have to change the boot sequence in the BIOS), you can then put the data disk into the bay where the OS HDD was.

4. In the explanation about moving user folders I stress the point that you never move them to the root of the other disk but to predefined folders (else you loose the location tab). But in your case I would do that differently. Since you already have your user folders on the data disk/partition, just right click on the top folders of each type (documents, music, video, etc.) and Include them into the appropriate library.

PS; am I right in the assumption that you are going to get the Paragon program for the task - I think you should. It is so much easier and all automatic. There is nothing you have to do other than change the BIOS boot sequence when it is done.

 

[Music Guy123]

Yeah I think I will get the program, my other option is that I am insured by techfriend but that could take ages so will get the program. How do u change the boot sequence in the bios???

Thank you so much for the help - much appreciated!!!

 

[pbcopter]

Windows 7 will automatically disable defragmentation for the SSD when it determines that it is an SSD.

 

[Music Guy123]

Have worked out how to change boot order, does the hibernate thing really matter, I use hibernate quite a bit!!!

 

[whs]

Yeah I think I will get the program, my other option is that I am insured by techfriend but that could take ages so will get the program. How do u change the boot sequence in the bios???

Thank you so much for the help - much appreciated!!!

Unfortunately every BIOS is a bit different. That is why there is no exact way for changing the boot sequence that I can describe.

In general terms: When you start the system you first get the BIOS splash screen. On that, it says how to get into the BIOS setup (many times by tapping F2). Once in there, you can only navigate with the arrow keys (mouse does not work). You have to get to the disk setup and change it there. Then, on the bottom of the screen you find the instructions on how to exit "with change". After that it will boot automatically.

The other option you have is to take the SSD out of the bay that you used to transfer the OS and put it back into the bay where the OS HDD was. And then put your data disk back into the bay from where it came. That way the boot order remains what it was with the HDDs.

 

[Music Guy123]

Yeah thanks, had already worked it out!!!

 

[whs]

Have worked out how to change boot order, does the hibernate thing really matter, I use hibernate quite a bit!!!

The hiberfile takes lot of space on the SSD (as much as you have RAM). I never use hibernate, but if you can afford the space on the SSD, there is no need to delete the hiberfile.

 

[whs]

Windows 7 will automatically disable defragmentation for the SSD when it determines that it is an SSD.

That is true for an initial installation from the installation disk. But here we are talking about a transfer of an existing OS which is different. And I am not certain whether the Paragon migration tool does the disabling - the documentation does not list it.

 

[SIW2]

I just did a ( very quick ) check on some partitioning apps.

Interesting results:

1. I used the free Paragon B&R11, as well as Paragon Migrate OS to SSD.

Automatically aligns to nt6 rules

automatically writes nt6 disk code

automatically writes nt6 bootcode during format including Uppercase for win7 support




2. Partition Wizard latest 5.2 edition.

Writes "standard" xp style disk code and nt5 (xp) boot code during format, does not align to nt6 rules.

3. Easeus latest 8.1 pm pro.

Easeus PM Pro lets you choose in dropdown which disk code to write- but doesn't align to nt6 rules, and writes nt5 bootcode during format.

 

[Music Guy123]

Do I need the full edition of the program or could I get away with the free one???

 

[SIW2]

Migrate OS to SSD is not normally available free ( keep your eye out though - they did give away a special free edition recently - it may still be available on various sites, magazine covermount dvd's, etc. - plus they are bound to give it away again - may be a few months, tho . )

If you google Paragon OS to SSD or Paragon OS to SSD Special Edition - you may come up with something still current.

The Paragon FREE B&R11 does not include the migrate os feature - it is an imaging app.

However, I tested it for nt6 compliance , as you can see above - and it turns out to be the most advanced imaging app - more so than paid versions from other companies - it also includes basic partitioning as a bonus.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you google Paragon OS to SSD or Paragon OS to SSD Special Edition - you may come up with something still current.

SIW2:

Thanks for the tip. I found the Special Edition version via Google.

Do you know what features it has or lacks compared to the ordinary edition?

I looked at Paragon-Software.com and could not find any info about the product at all.

 

[SIW2]

I have so may versions of it that Paragon kept sending me - I have lost track. LOL.

I think you just don't get any free updates or a winpe cd - it should work fine as it is, you can run it from within your o/s.

http://www.paragon-software.com/technologies/components/migrate-OS-to-SSD/

there is a little thing to click after it has found the o/s 's - select which folders to transfer, or something similar - so you can migrate to a smaller drive.

It doesn't need to be an ssd - hd will be fine too.

 

[whs]

On the right side of this Paragon Migration tool site you find "Documentation". It does not say too much but it is a start. Apart from migration to SSD and HDD it also works for Revo drives. If you have questions, send them a mail. They are very cooperative.

 

[Music Guy123]

Ok, have managed to get a legal serial number from paragon, they are still discretely giving it away for free!!! The only problem is that I need to download the demo version so that I can input the serial number into it, could anyone provide a link???

 

[SIW2]

I don't think the specila edition serial will work with demo installer.

You need the special edition installer. Ignatzatzsonic found it on google recently.

Do you have the link for the free serial giveaway?

 

[Music Guy123]

Ok, this is the link, u have to fill in your email address and name, make sure that u set your language in English, this page is in German but your browser could translate it for you (google chrome does). If not, it is fairly obvious what to do, your country doesn't matter but your language is really important, stick anything that u don't understand into google translate.

Anyways, here is the link: Paragon Software Registrierung

Good luck, post back with any problems!!!