Has anyone installed a SSD Drive before?

[lister]

Hi - has anyone cloned their HDD and then re-installed on a SSD HDD with/out issues?

Should I expect issues?

thanks!

 

[myzr7]

You may find some info that you want in this thread. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html
Or this from the tutorial section. Good luck to you.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[whs]

If you follow the instructions above, you should have no problems. The most important actions are to align the SSD before the installation/cloning and to shut off disk Defrag after the installation ( usually the Win7 installer does that). If you do not use hibernation, it saves disk space to delete the hiberfile. All the rest of the recommendations are kind of optional. Some are even counterproductive - e.g. to shut off Superfetch, to move the pagefile to another drive, etc.).
If you need more details on the above, post back and ask.

 

[lister]

thanks for that.

So you should never defrag a SSD?

 

[madtownidiot]

exactly.. it's completely unnecessary to defrag a SSD, and in fact the defrag service is disabled by default when you install windows 7.. if you're cloning to a ssd, you should disable the defrag service and turn off the pagefile, but I would strongly advise you to do a fresh windows install when upgrading to a SSD

 

[karlsnooks]

Hi - has anyone cloned their HDD and then re-installed on a SSD HDD with/out issues? Should I expect issues?
thanks!

Yes.
No.

Issues can arise if you have more bits being actually used presently than you have space for on the SSD.

Post a copy of your present DiskManagement.

HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY​

Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
WIN is the key with the wavy flag.

Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT Spacebar key combo | X key
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field.

Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER
Click the New button.
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save button

Post the snapshot:
Screenshot - How to post

 

[lister]

Thanks a lot for your replies.

As you can see from the screenshot, I think it is possible to clone my hard drive and re-install onto a SSD - but it is going to be difficult.

The reason I think that is because the partitions are a mix of NTFS and ext4, (which is for linux....)

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

(The machine I would like to clone is a dual boot that shares a media folder, which is the D Drive)

 

[whs]

Just like to remind you again that you have to align the SSD before you clone stuff onto it. I just posted this little tutorial that may help http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html?ltr=S

With your mixed setup it may be the best to clone the Win7 partition first onto the whole drive and then shrink the resulting C partition to define additional partitions for the rest. You may have to use BEST FREE Partition Manager Software for Windows supports all 32-bit & 64 bit Windows No-server OS. to do that because Disk Management will not let you shrink the C partition enough to gain the required space.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have a look at these tutorials at the links below for an out-line on the uses of the free Partition Wizard program.



Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Dual Boot : Create Partitions Using PWBD

Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS

 

[lister]

Great thanks again guys, your assistance is invaluable. I will let you know how I get on....

Thanks -

 

[habibi]

How much of a speed improvements does SSD provide? Significant enough to purchase and install one?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

How much of a speed improvements does SSD provide? Significant enough to purchase and install one?

Yes.

 

[whs]

How much of a speed improvements does SSD provide? Significant enough to purchase and install one?

Absolutely, it is a world of difference.

 

[madtownidiot]

With a SSD, programs usually load 2-3x faster than with the average HDD. I can usually get the average laptop with a SSD to boot in less than 15 seconds.

 

[mpcrsc562]

I would just say to take and extra 5 to 10 minutes after installing the SSD to make sure certain features of Windows that are not need with an SSD are in fact disabled. On my three systems that I have installed an SSD in, none of them automatically disabled the Degrag service.

I just say to spend a little time to be safe and protect that SSD from premature wear-out.

 

[Wishmaster]

If going from a regualar HD to a SSD, I would highly recommend just doing a clean install.
Its truly easier in the long run.

True, it is very possible to clone or Image over, but theres a high probability of alignment issues. Although they can be fixed easily enough, as already stated.
You will not have this issue however later if you are re-imaging a Image of the SSD back to the SSD. Its just HD --> SSD it can happen.


The defrag service does not get disabled. Only the SSD is excluded from Automatic defragmentation.

After you are up and running, run the WEI.
At that point, if you look at the Disk Defragmenter, you will see that it is running as it normally would be.
However, if you look at the section Configure Scedule --> Configure disks,

You will find the only disk included for automatic defragmenting are Spinning dives and the SSDs have been removed, are no longer listed.


While Windows Defragmenter is not good for the SSD, by consolodating Free space can and does help the SSD.
BUT, the only 2 programs I know that can safely do this are Perfect Disk & Diskeeper (with the Hyperfast add on)

I use Perfect Disc Consoldate on mine every 4-6 weeks or so.

I just wouldn't run it often, but when done in moderation, it does help them.

 

[habibi]

Pardon my ignorance but I have a few questions on SSD:
1. I am looking at the store catalogue of a local store. SSD only comes in 2.5"? They termed it Notebook harddisk but I suppose I can also use it on a desktop. Do you install in the floppy disk bay? What about power? Does it use the 4-pin connector or the floppy disk power?

2. Since scheduled defrag is disable by default to prolong the lifespan of the disk, should we also disable schduled Windows Defender or AV so they don't scan the disk?

 

[Wishmaster]

Reads do not wear a SSD.

The wear come from the writes. (Actually its the erase cycle)

But I wouldnt worry all that much about it, as its effect is all blown out of proportion.

Unless you erase and re-image the entire Full drive twice a day, every day for 5 yrs straight, then you might wear it out.

 

[karlsnooks]

Pardon my ignorance but I have a few questions on SSD:
1. I am looking at the store catalogue of a local store. SSD only comes in 2.5"? They termed it Notebook harddisk but I suppose I can also use it on a desktop. Do you install in the floppy disk bay? What about power? Does it use the 4-pin connector or the floppy disk power?

2. Since scheduled defrag is disable by default to prolong the lifespan of the disk, should we also disable schduled Windows Defender or AV so they don't scan the disk?

To question 1)
In the package with the SSD will be an adapter to make mounting in a normal hdd slot easy.

To number 2)
Actually with Win 7, defrag and indexing are going to be disabled for you and will only be performed "on demand".
If you use CCleaner uncheck the wipe free space option for the SSD.

 

[habibi]

Ah, thanks... so if it is the write which will wear the SSD, we should move the pagefile.sys to the spinning drive then, is that the best practice?