Getting ready to install SSD

Retired_at_55 · 10 July 2018 at 7:29PM

Please see my previous thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5859010

As a result of this, using the link helpfully given by EveryWhere, I have ordered and expect delivery of an SSD in the next few days to fit to my Toshiba L830 laptop.

In the few days before the SSD arrives I shall be most appreciative of any advice regarding what I can do, and have ready in advance, to prepare for installing the SSD and being able to use my laptop with Windows (8.1 is on the present laptop) afterwards.

I have, as advised, created the three Toshiba Recovery Media DVD's. I have the 'key' to install Microsoft Office - the one used on my present Toshiba laptop.

Any advice to help me to prepare in advance will be appreciated, thank you.

Retired at 55

neilmcl · 10 July 2018 at 7:40PM

FYI

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5859010

Retired_at_55 · 10 July 2018 at 7:53PM

neilmcl wrote: »

FYI

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5859010

Thanks very much for putting the correct link, neilmcl - I have copied it to correct my post above.

Retired at 55

esuhl · 10 July 2018 at 8:38PM

If you want to carry on using your existing Windows installation, you'll need to clone the drive with an imaging tool (such as Macrium Reflect Free). IIRC, you'll need the largest capacity drive in the PC (probably the HDD that's already in there) and connect the smaller (SSD?) drive via USB. (Otherwise any imagine program will display an error message).

Alternatively, you could just install the SSD, then a clean installation of Windows, and copy your personal data files from the HDD.

Retired_at_55 · 10 July 2018 at 8:48PM

esuhl wrote: »

If you want to carry on using your existing Windows installation, you'll need to clone the drive with an imaging tool (such as Macrium Reflect Free). IIRC, you'll need the largest capacity drive in the PC (probably the HDD that's already in there) and connect the smaller (SSD?) drive via USB. (Otherwise any imagine program will display an error message).

Alternatively, you could just install the SSD, then a clean installation of Windows, and copy your personal data files from the HDD.

Thanks for replying, esuhl. I'm not good technically and the second suggestion "Clean installation of Windows, and copy your personal data files from the HDD" sounds as if it would be the easier option or me."

I think I have the correct Product Key and I have a Product ID Number.

Retired at 55

neilmcl · 10 July 2018 at 10:08PM

Retired_at_55 wrote: »

Thanks for replying, esuhl. I'm not good technically and the second suggestion "Clean installation of Windows, and copy your personal data files from the HDD" sounds as if it would be the easier option or me."

I think I have the correct Product Key and I have a Product ID Number.

Retired at 55

Actually, cloning the disk is probably the easiest/quickest solution. However, a clean install would mean you get rid of any rubbish that's on your drive currently and possibly a good idea to update from windows 8.1 to win 10.

Retired_at_55 · 10 July 2018 at 10:14PM

neilmcl wrote: »

Actually, cloning the disk is probably the easiest/quickest solution.

Thanks again neilmcl.

I need to do more homework to understand better what this means: '.... clone the drive with an imaging tool (such as Macrium Reflect Free). IIRC, you'll need the largest capacity drive in the PC (probably the HDD that's already in there) and connect the smaller (SSD?) drive via USB.'

I have time to learn and have already benefited a lot from help on this Techie Stuff Forum. If the clean install would get rid of rubbish that would be good. - and look at Windows 10 as that is another option you suggest, thank you.

Retired at 55

Neil49 · 11 July 2018 at 8:27AM

If you want to be sure re the product key you could run this Nirsoft utility.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Retired_at_55 · 11 July 2018 at 9:08AM

Neil49 wrote: »

If you want to be sure re the product key you could run this Nirsoft utility.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Thanks Neil49 - I'll try that. - Your link was very helpful and I was able to see the Product Keys straight away from both Windows and Microsoft Office - thank you again.

Retired at 55

motorguy · 11 July 2018 at 10:36AM

Retired_at_55 wrote: »

Thanks for replying, esuhl. I'm not good technically and the second suggestion "Clean installation of Windows, and copy your personal data files from the HDD" sounds as if it would be the easier option or me."

I think I have the correct Product Key and I have a Product ID Number.

Retired at 55

I'm a fan of doing a fresh reinstall on to a new disk.

Win10 makes that a doddle these days and it gets rid of all the garbage on your current machine while its at it.

Frozen_up_north · 11 July 2018 at 1:20PM

Been there, done that... took about an hour.

I bought an SSD from Crucial and a USB "caddy" from them to use both drives together. Crucial supply a cut down version of Acronis backup software with their SSD drives, which allows you to copy, say, a 500GB spinning rust disk to a 250GB SSD provided you haven't used more than 250GB of the original disk. If you check their web site (http://www.crucial.com) there are instruction videos showing how to swap over drives, clone one to another, etc.

While the clone process is quick and easy, as others mentioned you will still have years of junk slowing your new setup down. Perhaps the ideal way is to clone the disk to ensure everything works, then do a fresh installation.

I'm in the process of swapping my main PC over and it takes ages to install every program you need, unless you are just using it for basic office/web stuff.

Getting ready to install SSD

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