Questions/Advice needed for SSD installation

[flashdrive]

Hi guys. I have been wanting to install a SSD drive into my ol PC for a while now and I think it's about time. I have a Windows 7 PC (Home Premium 64bit) that I built myself a few years ago. Still going strong but I'm tired of the lag with these old Seagate HDDs.

I've been looking at a Samsung 850 EVO. I figure I just need the 250GB model, since I'm just looking to put the OS on it. I've been doing some research on this and it appears the EVO comes with some software that I can use to transfer everything on the main drive to the SSD. I'm unclear on the whole process, since there's a little more than just the OS on the main HD.

The main HD has 465GB, of which 382GBs are free. The secondary HD has 931GB, of which 930 is free. I've been reading through these tutorials and some say you can move certain files to another drive in preparation for the transfer of the main HD with the SSD. I do not have a USB to SATA cable, however some articles mention you don't need one.

So what is the procedure for something like this? I'm just looking for anyone who has done this themselves on a PC and any tips/suggestions you might have.

Thanks.

 

[samuria]

It should be simple to clone the old drive to the new one either with the supplied software or cloning software. The only problem is there are new settings needed for ssd drive you would have to do after

 

[Megahertz07]

As you have a desktop, place the SSD on SATA 0 port, detach all other disks but the one you want to clone (with the OS).
Boot from the HDD, install Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free. Do a Disk Cleanup (%windir%\system32\cleanmgr.exe) and clone the disk to the SSD.

Personally I think that a new SSD deserves a Clean install. There is nothing like a clean install to get rid of the trash.

You don't need a big SSD as your desktop has a HDD for data.
Samsung's SSD's are the best but also the most expensive. You can buy a much cheaper SSD.
Look for one that has Readings faster than 500 and Whites faster than 300 and IOPS around 70.000
New, 2.5, 120GB - 275GB, Internal SSDs, SSDs, Components - Newegg.com
I have one of these PNY CS1311 2.5 SSD7CS1311-120-RB - Newegg.com
So far so good.

I have a 128G SSD for Windows and programs (85G) and Lubuntu (42G). On a HDD I have all my data. I moved C:\users to D: \users using Kari tutorial during installation.
All you need is on the zip file: https://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/general-discussion/399687d1499298283-my-computer-freezes-randomly-while-hdd-light-turns-solid-red-relocate.zip

 

[Layback Bear]

I like Megahertz07 would do a clean install on a new ssd. The time it takes to do the install and all the wanted programs is well worth it.
Then you can use the hard drive for large data, pictures, music ect. if need be.
I use and recommend Macrium Reflect for any needed backups and or clones after the clean install. I personally don't trust any clone programs offered by the ssd manufacture.

Tutorial by Brink to guide you on a clean install.

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free


Jack

 

[flashdrive]

Thanks for the replies everyone. If I do a clean install of the OS on the new SSD then I won't have anything to backup. Usually when I reformat/reinstall the OS I just save photos, Photoshop files, etc into a external HD I have. The thought of doing a reinstall hurts my brain, BUT at least with a SSD the restart times should be significantly faster.

Of course then that means I have to install the Toshiba BT stack again. Ugh...

 

[Megahertz07]

What you mean by " install the Toshiba BT stack again"?

For the updates, use the offline SP2 and the security only updates.
MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[flashdrive]

What you mean by " install the Toshiba BT stack again"?

I replaced the BT stack in Windows with the Toshiba one via this webpage. I was trying to get my Bose QC35 wireless headphones to work with my PC and this was the only solution that worked.