Question about upgrading to an SSD.

A

artimusbill

Limp Gawd
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Jul 29, 2003
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I plan on upgrading the Dell laptop in my sig from a stock hdd to an SSD. My question is: If I use the Windows create restore disk function, will it make the needed adjustments for using the SSD (plus setting the drive to use AHCI?)? I am referring to alignment, and any other issues.
 
Setting the drive to AHCI is a BIOS level choice and one you need to do manually regardless of how you restore your data. If you've had your laptop for at least a year, my suggestion would be to do a fresh install. You won't believe how much crap accumulates over time that you don't use so it is best to start fresh.
 
mwroobel said:
Setting the drive to AHCI is a BIOS level choice and one you need to do manually regardless of how you restore your data. If you've had your laptop for at least a year, my suggestion would be to do a fresh install. You won't believe how much crap accumulates over time that you don't use so it is best to start fresh.
Click to expand...

I agree. My question has more to do with not having a Windows install DVD, just the option to create a restore disk, or use the Dell restore partition. Maybe I should see about ordering a Windows disk from Dell.
 
artimusbill said:
I plan on upgrading the Dell laptop in my sig from a stock hdd to an SSD. My question is: If I use the Windows create restore disk function, will it make the needed adjustments for using the SSD (plus setting the drive to use AHCI?)? I am referring to alignment, and any other issues.
Click to expand...

Hi, artimusbill,

I put a SSD in my four year old Dell and it automatically detected the drive and reset the BIOS to AHCI. It may do the same for you.

If you don't want to do a clean install you can use the APRICORN ASW-USB-25 USB 2.0 to SATA Adapter to clone the old drive to the SSD. It was fast and I never had a hiccup. In addition, the old HDD still had the OS etc. as a backup in case the operation failed.

Hope this helps.

Chuklr
 
Thank you for the replies. I think I will look into getting a Win7 dvd from Dell so I can do a clean install.
 
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