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Replace Hard Drive with a SSD drive - or wipe drive and reinstall?

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13

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  • poppellerant
    poppellerant Posts: 1,963 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    JohnB47 said:
    Thanks. Sorry for the confusion - it's not a Pro. Perhaps I was thinking about my even older laptop.
    The label on the bottom says Satellite L50-C-1XP Serial number is XF178705C.
    If I look at 'about' in Settings it says:

    Device name LAPTOP-L7UTCSDN

    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-5005U CPU @ 2.00GHz 2.00 GHz

    Installed RAM 8.00 GB

    Device ID AE8A1A90-35E3-4128-82F1-5CB5680986DE

    Product ID 00325-80283-29792-AAOEM

    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

    I won't be able to reply to any further posts until tomorrow.

    Cheers.




    Your laptop is indeed a Satellite L50-C-1XP.  with v5.30 being the latest BIOS listed on the support page.
  • Ibrahim5
    Ibrahim5 Posts: 1,268 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    I maintain a fleet of PCs for family and friends. The SSDs range from 60GB to 256GB. The 60GB was bought in 2013. My daughter is a student just completing a 4 year degree with it. I keep asking her if she wants it updating but she insists it's fine. I would love to know what data people keep in these massive SSDs. It could only be gamers that need so much. People just using PCs for internet and office type tasks would never need so much.
  • HereToday
    HereToday Posts: 547 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    JohnB47 said:
    HereToday said:
    JohnB47 said:
    HereToday said:
    HereToday said:
    OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
    It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
    Intel Celeron Processor N2840
    4GB DDR3 L Memory
    Thanks

    Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor. You can also increase RAM to 8 GB to squeeze the last bit of performance out of it. But that processor is the bottle neck.
    I thought as such. Would increased RAM be worth the time money and effort or should I put the money towards my future laptop purchase fund? Its a bit like old cars, knowing when to stop throwing good money after bad
    Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor.  I'm not sure what this means . 
    Thanks
    It means just erase everything currently on the drive by running a clean install to it.

    This process requires another PC with internet access, and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. The data on the USB flash drive will be erased to create the Windows 10 bootable flash drive.

    Creating the Windows 10 USB flash drive

    1. Visit the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
    2. Click Download Tool Now.
    3. Save the Application.
    4. Plug your USB Flash Drive into the PC where you saved the application.
    5. Run the Application.
    6. Accept the EULA
    7. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
    8. Choose the correct settings for your version of Windows 10
    • Language (Country)
    • Windows 10
    • 64-bit (x64)
    Click Next.Select USB Flash Drive and click Next.Select the Flash Drive and click Next.

    Allow the application to complete. You will be prompted when it is finished and has successfully created the bootable drive.

    Reloading Windows with the Media Creation Tool:

    1. Press and hold the Power key for five seconds to turn off your computer.
    2. Plug in the USB Drive that contains the Media Creation Tool files.
    3. Power on the system and begin tapping the F2 Key to enter the BIOS.
    4. In the BIOS, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Main menu item at the top.
    5. Use the down arrow to highlight F12 Boot Menu and press Enter.
    6. Highlight Enabled and press Enter.
    7. Press the F10 key and press Enter to save the changes and exit. The system will reboot immediately.
    8. As soon as the system begins rebooting, press the F12 key repeatedly to enter the Boot Manager.
    9. Select the USB HDD and press Enter. The Windows Setup environment will launch.
    10. Select your Language, Time and Keyboard, then click Next.
    11. Click Install Now.
    12. Accept the license terms and click Next.
    13. You will be prompted with choices:
    • Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings and applications. This option should work for most users and should save most personal files. If you attempt this and run into errors, we suggest the next option.
    • Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) This option allows you to determine the location where you want to install Windows. Using this option will erase all personal data.

    Follow this guide if it helps: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/clean-install-Windows-10/  You need to choose to delete ALL of the existing partitions during the installation.
    These instructions seem more fulsome than your first post, then you seemed to quote something specific to Toshiba in your second post. This one seems to combine the two. Thanks for this. Much to think about.
    These instructions are not for you.
    Ahh, sorry. Classic example of why only one persons questions should be answered on a thread.
    You welcomed them. :) So now they are valued guests and we will accommodate them. 
  • HereToday
    HereToday Posts: 547 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    HereToday said:
    If you did a clean installation of Windows to your hard drive, it might feel faster at first.  But as you install programs and install the inevitable Windows Updates every few weeks, it will just slow down almost the point where it is now, if not the same.  So you're really just on a hiding to nothing if you continue to use your hard drive.
    Instead I would get an SSD drive and leave the data on your hard drive in tact and untouched.  This way you will have the peace of mind of being able to drop in your hard drive if you need to recover a file or program.
    In terms of buying an SSD, you state that you use 324GB.  When a 500GB SSD is formatted, you will be left with around 465GB of useable space for Windows, programs, etc - leaving about 141GB of free space.  Of course this will probably be much more with a clean install, but that's almost 1/3 of free space - not too clever or healthy with SSD drives.  SSD drives live much longer the more free space they have.  Of course a 500GB will be perfectly usable, but for longevity I would recommend a 1TB SSD.  If you want some further reading on the subject, see here and here.
    One final note and is that to make sure that your BIOS has been updated the latest version.  We can help with this if you can post the make and model of your laptop.
    I think that you have missed the point of the OP having built up to 324 GB over five years.
    So one can expect that it will be five years before the new 500 GB SSD will have 324 GB of data on it, unless you are assuming that the OP will move all of the data from the old drive to the new.

    Secondly, you are overstating the case for free space on an SSD. Your article is using research from 2012 and even then it states that it isn't necessary for some drives where the controller is optimised for I/O efficiency.

    Bottom line: The average consumer doesn't care and won't notice. 

    Samsung Magician software for EVO drives offer the option of overprovisioning and suggest 10%. This can help to prolong the life of the drive. But either way, the average consumer won't notice and doesn't care about it.
    I am using an old Integral SSD way past it's warranty date; more than 90% full. No issues.

    I say stick with a 500 GB SSD; it's more than enough for the OP. No need to get into esoterica on this board, unless the subject calls for it.
    I do feel that you are downplaying the problem somewhat and frankly that's not something I'm willing to support when it comes to somebody else's data.  I've said what I think and given facts and reasons to back this up. 
    Perhaps if the OP were to move large amounts of data that wasn't accessed frequently (ie: copying photos and music to another drive), that would free up enough space to make a 500GB SSD more tangible.  But we really need to know what that 324GB consists of before making assumptions.
    I am not downplaying a problem, as there is no problem. The OP will run a clean install to SSD leaving perhaps 435 GB. He can give up 45 GB for overprovisioning if it takes his fancy.
    That leave 390 GB. 
    It's only you who has assumed that he will clone the old drive. I state that because you wrote this:

    Perhaps if the OP were to move large amounts of data that wasn't accessed frequently (ie: copying photos and music to another drive), that would free up enough space to make a 500GB SSD more tangible
    Of course you meant feasible and not tangible.
    Anyway, why would he remove something that is not on the SSD in the first place, but that remains on the old HDD?

    Because you have made an assumption.

    He actually wrote: 

    Regardless of whether I wipe and reinstall to the existing drive or go for a SSD, what about all the little programs I've collected over the last few years? I have at least one where I still have an installation disk and key (Photoshop). But what about others - do I just find the relevant exe files and make sure to copy them off before starting, then just put them back? (things like Revo Uninstaller, Audacity, FreeFileSync - many of them free downloads anyway)

  • HereToday
    HereToday Posts: 547 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
    It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
    Intel Celeron Processor N2840
    4GB DDR3 L Memory
    Thanks

    A clean install of windows would be preferable, but you won't get stellar performance from the celery

    Celery stick has roughly the same performance as my fourteen year old AMD processor; so I know what to expect. Perfectly usable with a clean install and regular maintenance(clean ups etc)
  • JohnB47
    JohnB47 Posts: 2,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    HereToday said:
    JohnB47 said:
    HereToday said:
    JohnB47 said:
    HereToday said:
    HereToday said:
    OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
    It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
    Intel Celeron Processor N2840
    4GB DDR3 L Memory
    Thanks

    Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor. You can also increase RAM to 8 GB to squeeze the last bit of performance out of it. But that processor is the bottle neck.
    I thought as such. Would increased RAM be worth the time money and effort or should I put the money towards my future laptop purchase fund? Its a bit like old cars, knowing when to stop throwing good money after bad
    Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor.  I'm not sure what this means . 
    Thanks
    It means just erase everything currently on the drive by running a clean install to it.

    This process requires another PC with internet access, and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. The data on the USB flash drive will be erased to create the Windows 10 bootable flash drive.

    Creating the Windows 10 USB flash drive

    1. Visit the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
    2. Click Download Tool Now.
    3. Save the Application.
    4. Plug your USB Flash Drive into the PC where you saved the application.
    5. Run the Application.
    6. Accept the EULA
    7. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
    8. Choose the correct settings for your version of Windows 10
    • Language (Country)
    • Windows 10
    • 64-bit (x64)
    Click Next.Select USB Flash Drive and click Next.Select the Flash Drive and click Next.

    Allow the application to complete. You will be prompted when it is finished and has successfully created the bootable drive.

    Reloading Windows with the Media Creation Tool:

    1. Press and hold the Power key for five seconds to turn off your computer.
    2. Plug in the USB Drive that contains the Media Creation Tool files.
    3. Power on the system and begin tapping the F2 Key to enter the BIOS.
    4. In the BIOS, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Main menu item at the top.
    5. Use the down arrow to highlight F12 Boot Menu and press Enter.
    6. Highlight Enabled and press Enter.
    7. Press the F10 key and press Enter to save the changes and exit. The system will reboot immediately.
    8. As soon as the system begins rebooting, press the F12 key repeatedly to enter the Boot Manager.
    9. Select the USB HDD and press Enter. The Windows Setup environment will launch.
    10. Select your Language, Time and Keyboard, then click Next.
    11. Click Install Now.
    12. Accept the license terms and click Next.
    13. You will be prompted with choices:
    • Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings and applications. This option should work for most users and should save most personal files. If you attempt this and run into errors, we suggest the next option.
    • Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) This option allows you to determine the location where you want to install Windows. Using this option will erase all personal data.

    Follow this guide if it helps: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/clean-install-Windows-10/  You need to choose to delete ALL of the existing partitions during the installation.
    These instructions seem more fulsome than your first post, then you seemed to quote something specific to Toshiba in your second post. This one seems to combine the two. Thanks for this. Much to think about.
    These instructions are not for you.
    Ahh, sorry. Classic example of why only one persons questions should be answered on a thread.
    You welcomed them. :) So now they are valued guests and we will accommodate them. 
    Yes I did indeed and I still do. Perhaps I should have added that the OP should pay attention more😊
  • JohnB47
    JohnB47 Posts: 2,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    JohnB47 said:
    Thanks. Sorry for the confusion - it's not a Pro. Perhaps I was thinking about my even older laptop.
    The label on the bottom says Satellite L50-C-1XP Serial number is XF178705C.
    If I look at 'about' in Settings it says:

    Device name LAPTOP-L7UTCSDN

    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-5005U CPU @ 2.00GHz 2.00 GHz

    Installed RAM 8.00 GB

    Device ID AE8A1A90-35E3-4128-82F1-5CB5680986DE

    Product ID 00325-80283-29792-AAOEM

    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

    I won't be able to reply to any further posts until tomorrow.

    Cheers.




    Your laptop is indeed a Satellite L50-C-1XP.  with v5.30 being the latest BIOS listed on the support page.
    I've just checked and my BIOS version is: BIOS Version/Date INSYDE Corp. 5.10, 11/09/2015
    Presumably I should update the BIOS only if I decide to fit a SSD? Or maybe not even then? I've read online that it's best not to update unless there is a known benefit (and there doesn't seem to be in my case).

  • Grumpysally
    Grumpysally Posts: 810 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Oh dear, I didn't mean to cause an argument (I ought to know better, this  is the internet)😯
    Hope you get sorted out OP. 🙂
  • JohnB47
    JohnB47 Posts: 2,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Oh dear, I didn't mean to cause an argument (I ought to know better, this  is the internet)😯
    Hope you get sorted out OP. 🙂
    No worries. Things often go pear shaped on Forums. The best tactic is to chill and ignore it. Hope you get your problems sorted too.🙂
  • A_Lert
    A_Lert Posts: 609 Forumite
    500 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    That Toshiba laptop will do great with a decent SSD. We owned a similar Dell. Regular hard drive, 4 GB of RAM, tortuously slow. Upgraded to an SSD and 12 GB RAM and it made it a totally different machine, fast and responsive and enjoyable to use.
    (Sadly ours now won't charge, and with places shutting for Covid I haven't got it fixed yet).
    Crucial MX 500 was my choice, but that was a few years ago, there might be a faster model now.
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