Thinking of adding SSD

[Mickyd]

I am trying to boost the speed of my PC and i have bought an extra 4gb ram (it will take the ram up to 8gb) someone has mentioned about an SSD - i dont know much about them but suggested using one for the OS only could improve speed even more - I thought i would ask the experts

Mic k

 

[Britton30]

It's true, a SSD will do the biggest performance boost than anything else. We have a few good tutorials for installing them if you get one.

 

[Mickyd]

Right that sounds like a plan i will order one now - the tutorials sound good as well Crucial M550 128GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD | Crucial UK GBP Store Organization Thats the one i am gonna order

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You'll love that ssd. What OS are you using 32 or 64 bit?

 

[Mickyd]

I am gonna put Win 7 ultimate 64bit as i am adding 4gb of ram to it as well to make it 8gb at the mo its using the 32 bit (i just hope my sims 2 still works, does on my laptop and sisters PC they both 64 bit)

 

[Britton30]

Here's some info.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html#post787192

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html#post1286911

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html#post648001

 

[Mickyd]

I am actually ditching the HD that the OS is on now i wanna clean install - and there will be a 1 tb drive and a 2tb drive in

 

[Britton30]

with a new SSD a fresh install is best, use this tut to get it ready.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html#post787192

 

[Mickyd]

Thats what i want to much clutter on this comouter at the mo so i am gonna take my time reinstallimng everything leaving the SSD for just the OS looking forward to doing it all now

 

[linnemeyerhere]

It will be like a new rig with 64bit, fresh install, 8gb ram and ssd !

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Once you've installed it you'll wonder how you ever did without it - even on a really OLD machine !!!.


You MUST though separate your OS from your DATA - (music, photos, videos, documents etc). That way backups etc are easier and ypu don't lose any data if you re-install the OS.

The Easy way -- forget about Windows file transfer etc is simply to IMAGE your current system with a program like Free Macrium, and then RESTORE it to the SSD and simply plug in the SSD.

A cheap cable (USB==>SATA) type makes this job simplicity itself.

(If it's a DESKTOP you don't even need to take out the old HDD - just change the boot order in the BIOS so the SSD is FIRST in the boot order. You can wipe the old HDD / re-format it later. If it's a laptop it's normally simplicity itself to swap the internal HDD for the SSD - just be careful in case there's an EXTRA connector that connects the SATA connector on the HDD to the MOBO).


Some SSD's - like the SAMSING 840 will include this type of cable - but not all makes do.

I'd recommend this first - even before you re-install Windows as this will check that the system works and the SSD is installed correctly. If something goes wrong without having booted the SSD with a system on it - you won't know if it's Windows or the SSD so even if you do a RE-INSTALL of WINDOWS try the image method first. With an SSD re-installing windows takes MINUTES BTW !!. Installing user applications and updates is the bugbear erspecially if there are a few GB's of updates to download again !!.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Mickyd]

Well the bits arrived today - had a scare cos no spare power lead but i found one - tonight is preparation night sponsored by Malibu and Coke - backing all files up ready for 7yr old 500gb drive to go to the mashers - thanks for all your input and i will post up what happens when i have completed everything

 

[Mickyd]

Well - I have everything fitted seemed to go well now its a case of reintsalling everything - AND HOW FAST IT GOES! starts up and restarts in under a minute - very impressed when its finished this batch of updates i am gonna call it a day Again ty for all ya help