HDD to SSD?

[PC Fanatic]

I bought my PC from PCS about 5 months ago, and I am now thinking about purchasing an SSD to speed things up. However, I am unsure how to install one (the guides provided by Google are inconclusive), so if one you kind people could help me out, it would be much appreciated.

Also, would I be able to transfer my Windows 7 install to the SSD without wiping everything and starting over? If I can't I doubt I will bother, as re-installing all my games and programs would be a major hassle.

Thanks.

 

[Frenchy]

open the case, slot SSD into a bay and screw in, or attach uising quick release system in soem cases, attach sata data cale and power cable. close case, turn on done.

As for transferring windows 7 across, I dont believe this is possible although I may be wrong, you may be able to do it using images somehow. To be hoenst though it would be advisable to wipe and start from scratch.
If most of your games are on steam, if you save your steam apps folder you wont need to redownload or install the games.

 

[Rakk]

As for transferring windows 7 across, I dont believe this is possible although I may be wrong, you may be able to do it using images somehow.

It's perfectly possible, I used Norton Ghost when I got my new Caviar Black drive to replace my bog standard small drive, took a while, but it happily moved the whole lot across inc OS, games and everything else (including the driver issue I have with my mic ).

Note, yes there is other imaging software, some of which may be free, but I've only used Ghost, so can't say anything about any others.

 

[Frenchy]

It's perfectly possible, I used Norton Ghost when I got my new Caviar Black drive to replace my bog standard small drive, took a while, but it happily moved the whole lot across inc OS, games and everything else (including the driver issue I have with my mic ).

Note, yes there is other imaging software, some of which may be free, but I've only used Ghost, so can't say anything about any others.

Ahh ok, I suppose I should have guessed really as I image VMs all the time lol. But with a vm its a little easier as its just a file on a host system.

 

[vanthus]

You can,make a system image with windows7 own program in backup and restore.
I did this when my first hard drive was failing & it restored everything to exactly as it was on the new hard drive without a hitch.

 

[Frenchy]

You can,make a system image with windows7 own program in backup and restore.
I did this when my first hard drive was failing & it restored everything to exactly as it was on the new hard drive without a hitch.

good to know, you can tell im nto a windows person cant you lol

 

[Tony1951]

Interesting thread I am sure a lot of people will upgrade in the future knowing it is a simple operation. I wanted the ssd on my new computer but finances dictated, but who knows in 6 months?

 

[vanthus]

Just to be clear, with windows system image program you can only do a system image recovery to a drive that is the same size or larger than the one the system image was created from. You will not be able to do a system image recovery to a smaller drive.
It is possible using free programs like GParted & Clonezilla,but things can get a bit complicated.
To install a system image on a smaller drive you would probably be better using norton ghost,which I believe can do so.

 

[Frenchy]

Just to be clear, with windows system image program you can only do a system image recovery to a drive that is the same size or larger than the one the system image was created from. You will not be able to do a system image recovery to a smaller drive.
It is possible using free programs like GParted & Clonezilla,but things can get a bit complicated.
To install a system image on a smaller drive you would probably be better using norton ghost,which I believe can do so.

Im guessing you could defrag then partition any extra space, leaving a drive small enough to be copied using windows system image? Or does it only look at physical drives?

 

[vanthus]

Im guessing you could defrag then partition any extra space, leaving a drive small enough to be copied using windows system image? Or does it only look at physical drives?

I did think of that Frenchy,
but I cant find a definite answer anywhere,
not even from microsoft.