How to implement a SSD?

[MamaBear2017]

I have an ASUS M32BC which is a 2014 PC and would like to speed it up by adding a 1TB SSD. They only cost about $100 now.

So how do I implement this? Just add it to an inside bay as a drive, then use Acronis to clone my current hard drive to it, then make the SSD the boot drive?

Or is there special software for a SSD?

 

[Slavic]

It should work as you described. However, I'd prefer a slightly more complex way:
1) Clean up the HDD and trim it to SSD size (only if need).
2) Make a full system backup on the external drive (e.g. USB HDD).
3) Connect SSD and restore this backup to it.
4) Switch the boot device.
So, you can combine the smart cloning and creating the backup, which is useful anyway.

 

[MamaBear2017]

It should work as you described. However, I'd prefer a slightly more complex way:
1) Clean up the HDD and trim it to SSD size (only if need).

My HDD is 1TB so if I get a 1TB SSD, it should be fine?

2) Make a full system backup on the external drive (e.g. USB HDD).

Not sure what you mean, but this PC is already outfitted with a BlacX drive dock, which I plug into an ESATA port in the back, that I brought out to the back panel from a SATA motherboard plug. So I just plug one of my spare HDD's into the dock, and then do a perfect clone of the internal HDD, to it, using Acronis True Image, which with such a setup, does it FAST.

3) Connect SSD and restore this backup to it.

I guess this is getting confusing.

4) Switch the boot device.
So, you can combine the smart cloning and creating the backup, which is useful anyway.

 

[MGhee]

I have an ASUS M32BC which is a 2014 PC and would like to speed it up by adding a 1TB SSD. They only cost about $100 now.

Swapping out an old HDD for a new SSD is a very beneficial upgrade, really pretty simple to do but, any issues your're having with your system (bsod's, buggy display drivers, malware, etc) will transfer over. A new SSD wont fix unstable systems. Your system will boot faster, be a little quieter... an SSD is a good upgrade for an already good running (stable) system is my point.

So how do I implement this? Just add it to an inside bay as a drive, then use Acronis to clone my current hard drive to it, then make the SSD the boot drive?

It should be easier than that... if you get Acronis, use the license to create an account at Acronis and download the bootable image and make a bootable USB drive. You can test if you did it correctly by booting to Acronis, if you get to the main menu your're good - close the app for now. To clone your internal HDD to an SSD use a USB to SATA 2.5" adapter cable - plug the cable into your USB port and the other end into the SSD. Boot into Acronis TI via your USB stick and give Acronis a bit to detect the drive, the defaults have usually worked great, no need to customize the settings.

If you want to install Acronis the same advice applies, I just like bootable tools that's all.

I forget if Acronis should be running then plug in the USB cable with the SSD attached or, if the USB cable gets plugged in first then start Acronis... Acronis docs may offer some tips. One benefit IIRC with Acronis over the other tools is Acronis doesn't care about the size of the drives it only cares that the new drive has enough space to clone the old drive's data. IIRC the other tools clone sector by sector so both drives need to at least be the same size (# of sectors).

When the cloning process is complete (hopefully successful) close Acronis and shut down system, unplug USB adapter.

Now all you need to do is remove the old HDD and install the new SSD to the same cable or drive bay this will make sure the drive is setup on the same bay or cable the previous boot drive was on - laptops are pretty simple, should only be one internal drive bay.

With the new SSD installed it's smart to get into the BIOS first and check to confirm the new drive is recognized. I also like to click just for grins OS Optimized Defaults (enabled) for Win 8.1 or Win 10, disabled if running Windows 7 - reboot to your new drive.

Note: You may need to activate Windows again (I did), should be pretty easy... from Control Panel - System -> Windows Activation -> if your're connected to the internet just click Activate Windows -> Done.

If you learn a bit better by watching (I know I do with some tasks) head over to Youtube and find Carey Holzman's channel. Search his videos for Acronis, he's cloned numerous systems and filmed the process, including downloading the Acronis iso Image to create the bootable USB stick, as well as removing the old HDD and installing the new cloned SSD.

Or is there special software for a SSD?

Acronis is that special software, not the only tool available but one of the best for cloning IMO, backing up a system Acronis may have some competition.

The process is really simple, just be patient and follow the logical steps. I'm confident you can pull it off, you'll be proud of your accomplishment when your done

 

[MamaBear2017]

I misspoke in the post above. I actually have a 2TB HDD, but only about 360GB of data on it. A samsung 1TB SSD is available for $140 on Amazon, with a 5 year warranty. ( I understand that these devices don't last as long as the typical HDD ) So I can just install it in a drive bay ( need to vacuum out my PC and take a look, to see what's available, but I think the mobo has at least 4 sata plugs on it ) And I've been a registered user of Acronis for years, so I can simply clone my present HDD onto it ( it accounts for the different capacity, as long as there's enough room ) and then make the SSD bootable, and keep the HDD in there as a backup drive for the SSD ( using Acronis True Image ). Sounds like the easiest approach?

 

[Bree]

...A samsung 1TB SSD is available for $140 on Amazon, with a 5 year warranty. ( I understand that these devices don't last as long as the typical HDD ...

Modern SSDs are very durable.

...While it is true that SSDs wear out over time ... you're more likely to discard the system for obsolescence (after six years or so) before you start running into read/write errors with an SSD.

SSD vs. HDD: What's the Difference?

 

[inspiredron]

I did the same with a Samsung 860 EVO 500GB but I used Samsung Migration. I removed a 250GB HDD that I had moved data from, put the SSD into the same drive bay (don't forget to order a 3.5 to 2.5 inch bay converter) and ran the Migration software. My old C partition was about 350GB on a 1Tb HDD and the Migration software cloned the 200Gb that was used onto the SSD. You may want to partition your existing 2TB disk before you begin so that your C drive is only a little bigger than what is used. Once migrated I went into the BIOS and altered the priority of HDD's so that the SSD was first priority. When I exited the BIOS the PC booted from the SSD and the previous C drive partition was given the letter previously used by the SSD (I had previously formatted that to NTFS) and the SSD became C:
The only strange issue was that before the cloning started I received an error message concerning "no disk in Drive X" - I just pressed continue and the Migration proceeded! I set the swap file to a static 1GB (I have 12GB memory) and also implemented System Restore.
HOWEVER - I have been unable to use Samsung Magician as I am totally unable to install .NET 4.6 on my W8 Enterprise - the subject of a thread that I started yesterday on this forum - Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 refuses to install
I hope to get some help there.

I should have said earlier that I cleaned up my C drive BEFORE cloning - Removed old programs that I don't use, ran C Cleaner and defragged. Even though my motherboard is only SATA 2 compatible there is a HUGE increase boot speed and general performance. Performance index is now 7.2 compared with 5.9

 

[MamaBear2017]

Well in my case, I want to clone, not migrate. I botched up the Blu-tooth on this OS and wiped it out completely. So they say I need to do a refresh on my HDD. If I clone to the SSD ( I have Acronis True Image 2016 ), AND do a clone to another HDD for good measure, and they BOTH boot just fine and contain all my stuff, then I should be confident that I can do a refresh on the main drive, without risking losing stuff. I was told that a refresh should bring back my blu-tooth, BUT MAY erase some programs. Sounds scary. But when I do it, I can actually unplug the SSD and backup cloned HDD, so as not to involve them in ANY way.

 

[Bree]

...was told that a refresh should bring back my blu-tooth, BUT MAY erase some programs. Sounds scary....

It is, you will loose all your installed software that didn't come with Windows. If you system was in working order you could have made a custom refresh image, but with the bluetooth broken it's too late for that. However, you can do an in-place repair install to fix that and keep all your installed software.

This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install (aka: in-place upgrade install) to fix your currently installed Windows 8 without losing anything. For example, desktop apps.

Repair Install Windows 8

 

[MamaBear2017]

Thanks Bree, but what that appears to be saying is that I would have had to have had saved images going back BEFORE I trashed the blu-tooth. But I didn't. I wasn't aware of them before then. <SIGH>

I'll probably just wait until I can afford a new PC, and then reinstall apps and transfer data to it.

But come to think of it, I can do that now, with this one, using a cloned backup drive and refreshing the main one. I just dont have time, due to running a home business. But what about that Laplink? Is that what can be used for transferring all my apps and data, without transferring the damaged OS?

 

[Bree]

I'll probably just wait until I can afford a new PC, and then reinstall apps and transfer data to it.

But come to think of it, I can do that now, with this one, using a cloned backup drive and refreshing the main one.

You may have not read the tutorial link Repair Install Windows 8 at the bottom of my post. This can reinstall windows, fixing any problems like your bluetooth, but will keep all your install apps and files.

 

[MamaBear2017]

I DID read it, but maybe misunderstood it. "However, all installed 3rd party desktop apps will be removed." For example my registered version of AutoCAD 2002? My Serif PagePlus 9? Oh wait...I guess I didn't read it right.

OK, I have 16GB of RAM installed, and a 32GB Recovery USB drive, so...hmmm, let me read it over again, and THANK YOU!

The logging in as Administrator though...when I do that, it doesn't show my programs, so I'm not sure about that.

 

[Bree]

I DID read it, but maybe misunderstood it. "However, all installed 3rd party desktop apps will be removed." ....

You are quoting the introduction which says what a Refresh will do and why you wouldn't want to use it. The next paragraph goes on to say:

"This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install (aka: in-place upgrade install) to fix your currently installed Windows 8 without losing anything. For example, desktop apps."

The logging in as Administrator though...when I do that, it doesn't show my programs, so I'm not sure about that.

That makes no difference, all installed apps will be kept, regarless of whether they are installed for one user or all users.

 

[MamaBear2017]

I'm going to need to print out the instructions before doing this, and of course clone this drive to another. Will probably do it on Christmas weekend, so I don't have any clients who need stuff. One thing I noticed, is it asking for the product key, and I bought this Asus PC as refurbed, on Amazon, so I don't have a disk. But I did the recovery setup to a 32GB USB drive. Not sure how that will work.

 

[Bree]

... I bought this Asus PC as refurbed, on Amazon, so I don't have a disk.....

Here's how to get an ISO that you can use at Step 5 in the repair tutorial.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

......One thing I noticed, is it asking for the product key....

That's odd, @Superfly is the activation expert and may be able to help. That shouldn't prevent you doing the repair install though.

 

[MamaBear2017]

Thanks. I'm not sure what an ISO is but need to learn that. Something to do with a disk image. I THINK, by creating that recovery USB drive, it covers the activation key thing. It think it puts that on the recovery drive.

 

[Superfly]

I'm not quite sure at what stage the activation went awry - but once the HDD has been cloned to the SSD we can wade through any activation issues. A product key is not required to transfer data.