Transferring Data to a SSD

**BigHub** · 02-09-12, 11:59 AM

So I am thinking about getting an SSD, is it possible (I'm sure it is) to transfer everything from my regular hard drive to the SSD?

This includes OS and everything.

I don't feel like reinstalling Win 7 because of the fact I had to jump through a lot of hoops last time. I bought the student discount Win 7 Professional 64-bit for $30 from DigitalRiver (its the update) a while back. I also bought all new hardware before I installed it, so it wouldn't let me do a fresh install because of the fact it didn't recognize the hardware. I had to call MS and sweet talk them & tell them white lies. The guy did something along the lines of adding the CD Key I was given from DigitalRiver to some database manually. After that, I was able to finally register my Win 7.

I have the CD for Win 7 and the CD Key. What are your thoughts? Should I be able to do a fresh install because its just a new hard drive or what?

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt

**WileECyte** · 02-09-12, 12:07 PM

Personally, I'd reinstall Win7... Not sure you will see all the benefits of SSD without doing so. You could use a program like Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image to clone the data from the one drive to the other, but I'm not sure how well it'd work.

**BigHub** · 02-09-12, 12:11 PM

Hmmm alright.

I might just buy 2 SSD's (one for OS and the other for games, media, etc.).

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt

**Langrad** · 02-09-12, 12:19 PM

Have they fixed the issue where SSD's would deteriorate over time as data got rewritten? I know it was a problem like... 3-5 years ago.

**WileECyte** · 02-09-12, 12:33 PM

Yes. Windows 7 has TRIM support that fixes the performance degradation.

**QuickLightning** · 02-09-12, 12:37 PM

That's not nearly as big of a deal as some people make it out to be, Langrad. Even second generation Intel drives were guaranteeing (and tested WELL above) 20GB/day writes over 5 years.

Maybe really early first gen hardware had issues with it, but these days it's almost non existent. No regular user writes nearly that much data to a HDD daily and would only be an issue in servers. At an average use, these SSDs are tested to last 10-20+ years in THAT regard. Of course I don't design/test these so I could be mistaken there.

That being said, different manufacturers will definitely have different standards they hold their design up to. You really get what you pay for. If you buy some 50 cent/gig SSD from a bargin bin, I wouldn't expect it to last very long or even really be that big of an improvement over a velociraptor. The big name companies are definitely much more strict in their design requirements and testing.

I have three 2nd gen Intel drives myself and wouldn't dream of going back.

**flame** · 02-09-12, 06:35 PM

I believe Intel provides a program with their drives that allows you to transfer your drive to the SSD.

**SapiensErus** · 02-09-12, 10:14 PM

Reinstall.

Make sure the SSD's SATA channel is in AHCI mode in the BIOS prior to installation. (usually ... these days)

**RhysJD3** · 02-09-12, 10:25 PM

Depends on the size and how crapped up your current drive is. If the drives are similar enough that you have enough space to clone it with about 20% free space + enough room for growth, this should be fine. If you're current drive is full of uninstalls, garbage, unstable, then you reinstall. My installation was fairly good but I had to uninstall a fair number of games to clone from my standard drive to SSD. Works fairly well.

Also what soy said about AHCI. If you're current drive isn't running in AHCI, cloning can be done but it's more of a pain. SSD work better in AHCI mode so you'd have to load the AHCI drivers, clone, then hope it works.