[Carlosis]

As per title, i've got a Samsung SSD 830 2.5inch SATA III 6GBps 256GB and it comes with Norton Ghost to make a copy of my existing HDD OS and all.

Is this the most efficient way of getting the SSD up and running or would i benefit from a fresh install. I will have to download all the relevant drivers with the fresh install which i am happy to do.

Would just like to know of any problems that may arise with the HDD copy procedure, for example maybe the SSD will retain settings best optimized for a HDD only, caching and de-fragmenting settings are my immediate concerns. Obviously i can just turn off or not run defrag but any other settings people can suggest that could cause conflict would be greatly appreciated.

I plan on the usual set up of the SSD running the OS and labour intensive programs and games and the HDD to store media. Should i wipe the HDD, i'm not sure if having the OS installed on two connected drives can cause issues.

[MarkE19]

I've just installed a Samsung 830 SSD in my PC and went for a clean install. If using Ghost and you don't have AHCI enabled then you wont be getting the best out of the SSD - and enabling it later is a PITA. Also as you say all the settings from your old install will be carried over to the SSD, but things like defragmenting can be disabled easily enough using the supplied software you get with the 830 that optomises the system for use with an SSD.

I would suggest removing the HDD when installing Windows to the SSD otherwise it can complicate things as the likes of the bootsector may stay on the HDD. Personally I removed my HDD and put a spare cleanly formatted HDD into the PC. I then just copied all my data off the oldd HDD via a USB dock once all was setup as I wanted it.
There is a lot of good advice on setting up a PC with an SSD in this thread - An SSD installation and configuration guide

Mark.

[Carlosis]

Ok great, thanks for the tips. I presume most recent set ups have AHCI enabled but looking at the guide you supplied i should be pretty sorted. I now plan on doing the fresh install myself, i was just wondering what the best course of action is with regards to drivers? I'll have to install video, audio drivers etc but is there a checklist of essential drivers I'll need and if i should have them pre-downloaded on a flash drive on initial installation?

Thanks!

[MarkE19]

AHCI needs to be set in the BIOS - it wont be on by default unless it was already set.

I suggest you go to the support site for your motherboard/PC and download all the available drivers. The most important one is the LAN driver otherwise you wont be able to get on the internet to download the others or the Microsoft updates. But while downloading the LAN driver you may as well get them all to save time later.

Mark.

[Carlosis]

There are a couple of things on my current set up that i'd like to keep however, namely my Mcafee program with subscription and Cyberlink Pro both of which came bundled with the laptop. I presume i can just transfer these programs, would they lose their subscriptions/keys?

Thanks!

[MarkE19]

You can't just copy a program from one place to another. Programs need to be installed as they integrate with the OS, especially an AV/IS program such as McAfee.

What you could do is run a program such as Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder that should fine the license keys for the programs. You can then download the programs from their web sites and install a fresh copy and add the found license key.
For the likes of McAfee you should be able to download the latest version even if running an older version on your current setup, as long as it is the same type ie Anti-Virus or Internet Security. However you are unlikely to get away with a newer version of most other types of program so would need to find the exact same version.

Mark.

[Carlosis]

When fishing out the OS disc i noticed a Dell drivers and utilities disc. Hopefully this contains everything i'll need.

Is it worth downloading some drivers first just incase? mainly the SSD's newest driver on a USB?

Thanks,

Carl.

[Carlosis]

Well i installed it all in under an hour including the insane hassle of unscrewing the old hdd and caddy and screwing this one in, took longer than actually installing it!

So far i've just got a fresh install on the SSD running. The disc i mentioned did include most of the drivers i needed, then the 80+ updates via Windows Update.

I'd like to run some benchmark tests to check it is actually running at full speed via SATA III. Any suggestions as to the best program?

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by Carlosis

I'd like to run some benchmark tests to check it is actually running at full speed via SATA III. Any suggestions as to the best program?

Samsung SSD Magician (supplied with the 830) has a benchmark test that should tell you what you need to know.

Mark.