New SSD, old Windows 7 install

[TheSmJ]

Just got a new Vertex 3, and I already have Win 7 installed on a standard HDD.

Would I have to install a fresh copy of Windows to the SDD, or would it be possible for me to image the drive with my current windows install (after I remove the files from the image I do not want kept on the SSD)?

 

[Forceman]

You can image it across, but try to use alignment-aware imaging software. The Win 7 built-in image/restore functionality should work fine. That's what I used for mine and the alignment was fine.

 

[SicKlown42012]

I've done this before and didn't have issues. The big concern will be alignment, but even if that does get off it's easy to fix.

 

[TheSmJ]

Ok great. I've been looking around for a few days and have been unable to find a straight answer on that.

Thanks!

 

[DisrupTer911]

you can use Acronis NON ENTERPRISE to do a imaging of an SSD to SSD with no alignment issues.
or you can use Win7 built in backup image utility and create a build disk.

Both ways will make disk images with no alignment issues.

 

[speedlever]

Pardon my ignorance, but this alignment issue you guys mention... is this about imaging the C:\ drive to replace it with an(other) SSD and not have to reinstall everything?

 

[SicKlown42012]

No, alignment is something different. It has to do with getting proper performance and not waisting write cycles.

The alignment of the SSD is required to assure that a logical sector starts exactly at the beginning of a physical page of the SSD. Without the alignment, the sector boundaries and the page boundaries will not match and sectors will span pages. That would require for a Windows write operation to clear two blocks in lieu of only one thus reducing the write speed by 50%.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

 

[Forceman]

Alignment is of most concern when imaging however, since on a fresh format and install Win 7 will correctly set the alignment - but not all the image programs can handle it correctly.