Fitting existing SSD new new PC

timberflake

Hi guys,

If I bought a new PC, could I just fit my existing SSD into it and fire it up? Or would I run into any problems? I've upgraded the Ram, optical drive and the HDD in my existing laptop, but want to put the SSD into the new tower I buy.

Thanks

cookie365

You'll need to uninstall the existing motherboard, graphics, USB, network & other drivers at least.

If you have Windows 7 or 8 you might be fine.

Unless you have an OEM version of Windows which is tied to the original motherboard.

timberflake

Ok. I've got everything backed up to my NAS drive, so in theory could I install the SSD and windows then just restore from my backup?

aerostar

Not sure if W7 works as XP used to - but I have moved installations to a different computer just by moving the hard disc ( yes had a disc image back up) the trick was to ensure that when first started you went immediately into SAFE MODE which does not load all the extras.

Then do a restart and XP then went round and re-enumerated all the hardware, does take a few mins.

If you have specific items that load on startup then when in Safe Mode remove them.

If it all goes !its up then you have your disc image to re-try, nothing lost just a bit of your time.

droopsnoot

You might need to re-activate the Windows license, this always used to be tied to the MAC address of the network card which will have altered if it's on the motherboard.

timberflake

I upgraded from W7 to W8 so I'm guessing Im going to need to buy a copy of W8 again as I wont be able to use the W8 upgrade disc to do a fresh install? It just adds another £80 to my build cost when I already have a legit version of Windows!

andydiysaver

timberflake wrote: »

I upgraded from W7 to W8 so I'm guessing Im going to need to buy a copy of W8 again as I wont be able to use the W8 upgrade disc to do a fresh install? It just adds another £80 to my build cost when I already have a legit version of Windows!

to be honest it depends on your spec and what you're intending to do - but I've done this a lot with SSD's and new builds as I build my own rigs


back it up is the no1 thing I'd say to you, if you can get hold of trueimage (or torrent it ) get your SSD backed up as is then you try your plug and play option and you may find it's as simple as tweaking the bios to go for that drive and not another one. if you have any of the sandy bridge chips up with a decent mobo there should be something in the bios to help you do this


as for win 7 win 8, paying out again is ridiculous, I'd be inclined to back up SSD, then format it, which'll do it good anyway, install 7 on the new rig, go up to 8 the way you did last time, then import all the contents over from the backup


remember your ACHI controllers in the bios you have to make that switch otherwise your SSD mightn't be recognised at all