Upgrading to an SSD

multigamer · 25 Jul 2014 at 18:24

I've finally bit the bullet and got an SSD drive, Samsung 840EVO 240gb. I held off because I got my current HD replaced under warranty and did a new windows install just a few months ago, but it was a great price.

I was wondering the best way of changing to it to hold the OS (vista 64) and maybe install a few games on. I currently have a 1TB WD black which is 75% full so a straight clone isn't an option.

Shall I simply boot from it with my vista recovery disk and do a fresh install? Or because most likely I can't find my vista boot disk, is there another way to just clone the OS from my current HD without wiping the data? (Probably too much to backup and would only put all my docs on the 1TB afterwards)

Thanks!

wazza300 · 25 Jul 2014 at 18:48

best to do clean install

just have the ssd connected,you will need pre install ahci/raid drivers with vista far as im aware

your ssd needs to be in ahci mode for top performance

so set sata ports to ahci in bios then install the pre install drivers when windows prompts you

once windows is installed connect the 1tb and set the ssd as first boot device in bios

Dervious · 26 Jul 2014 at 09:20

I`ve never had Windows prompt me to install the pre-install drivers.

As far as I'm aware, WIndows automatically installs the "default" Microsoft AHCI drivers during the installation. I download the latest AHCI drivers once the basic install has finished.

If it's a fairly modern Intel based motherboard, the Intel RST drivers are the ones to go for. If it's AMD, getting the correct drivers can be a little more tricky (AMD don't seem very helpful when it comes to making it clear where and which AHCVI drivers to dowbnload). Well, that's what I`ve found anyway !

wazza300 · 26 Jul 2014 at 11:39

Not sure with vista but there is a screen that let's you install any needed drivers before it installs windows

Win7/8 it installs everything for you,ahci/raid drivers but not sure with vista

Dervious · 27 Jul 2014 at 00:41

I'm not sure with Vista either.

I did once upgrade a laptop with Vista installed to an SSD, and I think it was a clean install. I don't remember having to pre-install AHCI drivers, but I don't remember much anyway !

I`ve since stuck Win 7 on the same laptop, it runs so much better now !