Upgrading to SSD

Excalibur_2102 · 5 Jan 2013 at 13:35

Hi guys,

Yes, its another "im upgrading to a SSD" topic

Ive been thinking about it for a while and finally took the plunge and went for a crucial M4 256gb.

My questions are mainly regards OS installation. Obviously I need to set it to AHCI mode before I install, but one thing I dont know is how to update firmware if I need to.

At the moment I have a 512GB HDD which I will keep for storage uses. I have my old Win 7 disc. Can I install straight on to the new SSD with the win 7 disc? Also, I have actually only used 144GB on my current HDD, so cloning is an option. This certainly sounds easier, as I wont have to reinstall any programs at all on the new SSD, though are there any drawbacks?

Thanks for any help.

Mitzy · 5 Jan 2013 at 13:38

I don't own a SSD but from what I understand, to update the firmware you boot from a bootable USB that has your upgrade package on it and go with the onscreen options. Hopefully someone can confirm or deny.

wazza300 · 5 Jan 2013 at 13:43

is your old windows installed in ide mode? check bios for ide,if so run this in ide and then set to ahci mode in bios then you can attach the m4 and clone straight from your old hdd to your new ssd,

http://cdn.ithinkdiff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ahci.reg

then clone using macrium reflect (free)

once its done set the m4 as first boot device,you can leave your old windows install and data on your old hdd if you want to its up to you

to update fw you can either do it in windows or bootup from your old hdd/windows install and update the m4's fw from there

once all thats done download and install the latest intel rst drivers from your motherboard website,it will increase speeds further

VIPER258 · 5 Jan 2013 at 14:41

Good guide on optimization for SSDs. Hope it helps.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

Excalibur_2102 · 6 Jan 2013 at 14:21

Turns out my bios is already in AHCI mode! Isnt this odd for a HDD? Also are there any disadvantages to cloning? Definately seems the easiest way.

wazza300 · 6 Jan 2013 at 14:26

Excalibur_2102 said:
Turns out my bios is already in AHCI mode! Isnt this odd for a HDD? Also are there any disadvantages to cloning? Definately seems the easiest way.

none whatsoever,its far less hassle than a new install and quicker

kedge · 6 Jan 2013 at 15:22

Excalibur_2102 said:
crucial M4 256gb, one thing I dont know is how to update firmware if I need to.

All you need to know at crucials website in the link below, it's very easy and straight forward, not too sure about having mechanical hdd's connected as well.

Crucial.com Product Downloads - Firmware Updates

Excalibur_2102 · 7 Jan 2013 at 17:22

Thanks for the help guys. Got the drive today and will let you know how the cloning goes

.

Excalibur_2102 · 7 Jan 2013 at 19:54

Okay, so the installation went fine, as did the cloning. However I still need to set the new SSD as my primary drive, as it is listed as drive D, and my old HDD is listed as drive C. I need this to be the other way round, correct?

wazza300 · 7 Jan 2013 at 20:02

did you set the ssd as first boot device in hdd priority/order in bios?

any drive thats first boot device becomes drive c

Excalibur_2102 · 7 Jan 2013 at 20:07

I thought I did... Hm... will have to double check manual to see if I missed something

Excalibur_2102 · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:01

Hmm.. well I tried again, and now it says 'bootmgr not found, press ctrl alt delete to restart'.. problem is now its saying this on both my old hdd and new ssd.. any ideas? Thanks

Excalibur_2102 · 8 Jan 2013 at 08:55

Well in the end I just reinstalled win 7 on the new SSD. I tried a repair but it then said my copy of windows was unauthentic. Its a pain to reinstall all my programs etc, but everythings up and running now. Thanks for your help.