Help Selecting SSD for PC

OK;

You'd need to restore both to have a bootable PC if either Disc 0 or Disc 1 failed.

Here's where you are, as far as I can see:

Until you do a clean install on a new drive, you are dependent on BOTH disk 0 and disk 1 not breaking down. If either fails, you need to rely on Macrium, which you've never used to restore before. That could be a problem if you have a drive failure. Image restoration can fail even if you know what you are doing.

I'd confirm I could not boot with Disc 0 disconnected.

You could try to get to the bottom of why your use of EasyBCD didn't appear to solve anything. Personally, I'd probably pass on that for now.

I'd probably order the SSD as soon as possible.

When it arrives, do a proper installation of Win 7 with the proper partitons, so you don't end up in a jam like this, with a fouled up partition layout in Windows Disk Management.

I'd also make it a priority to learn how to actually restore using Macrium, probably by practicing with that sick 320 GB drive you have. Make an image of the SSD install, restore it to the sick 320. Make sure the 320 will boot your PC.

N2Abyss said:

I think your spot on here, Can you recommend any good tutorials for a walk through in steps to partition the new SSD if need be and any bios changes if need be?

I'm thinking for what little I understand about drives and partitioning, I would be best to disconnect all drives but the new SSD when I get ready for clean install and just format the whole SSD drive as ONE partition.??

Have you confirmed you cannot boot with Disk 0 disconnected?

Regardless of what partitioning structure you want, you should disconnect ALL drives other than the DVD drive and the SSD drive. Disconnect all external stuff except mouse, monitor, and keyboard.

Have you EVER installed Windows?

Installation to SSD is no different.

Do you understand the advantages and disadvantages of partition a drive as I explained above when talking about the various dates in September?

I'd decide on the partition structure while the SSD is in the mail to you. Make your plans. Back up your data.
Download the newest Windows 7 compatible versions of your "free" programs that you use.

You're going to be clean installing Windows, so you should think about what you want to install besides Windows. Make lists. Probably a lot of crap on the current install that you don't want to put on the SSD.

You'll probably be asked about "AHCI" during the installation. Say yes to that. It's a BIOS setting.

After you get Windows installed, install anti-virus, and go to Windows Update and get updated. That might take hours.

Then run SSD benchmarks to confirm the SSD is up to snuff.

Reconnect your external stuff. Make sure everything works--printer, etc.

Then think about installing applications and your backup plan.

Learn about Macrium.

Start a new thread in the installation forum when in doubt.

Before the new drive arrives, you should go to the Gateway web site and look for the support area for your machine/motherboard. That exact model.

Find and download all the Windows 7 drivers for it.

Put them on a USB thumb drive.

You may not need them, but it can't hurt.

The Windows installation disk you have is several years old. It wouldn't have the latest drivers.

Most important is the Ethernet driver (NIC driver). If your Windows installation disc doesn't supply it, you can't get on the Internet. In which case, you'd have to rely on the Ethernet driver you get from Gateway.

When you update Windows after the install, it will update your drivers. That may be fine and everything may work well. If not, maybe you start to look at the rest of the drivers you get from the Gateway download.

I'd try to avoid installing as much "Gateway" stuff as I could and instead just try to get a pure Windows installation, but you are stuck with a Gateway disk as far as I know.

Maybe start another thread after you get the drive in hand so you don't go off the rails again.

Vista drivers work too :)

N2Abyss said:

Downloaded all drivers for Gateway GT5676 to thumb drive. Problem is, this pc came with Vista, the drivers I found for my machine were Vista 64bit.
N2

Did you locate and download the Ethernet (NIC) driver?

Where did you get this Windows 7 disk that you are going to use to install Windows 7?

Did you personally install Windows 7 on this machine, using the same disk you are going to use with the SSD?

I assume the Product Key you intend to use is NOT the one that may be found on a sticker on the Gateway? That key should be a Vista key, which won't help.

I just looked at Gateway for your drivers and downloads.

The Vista drivers are all from July 2010. There isn't anything newer.

There is no updated BIOS.

Hope you don't have to use any of that stuff. The LAN driver is the most important. It's probably the same version as on your disk.