Question about swapping hard drive in laptop for SSD.

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soulweeper

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I have an ASUS A53E-ES92 laptop that I bought primarily for work. I do Exede internet installations, so I use it to provision the service after the install, so it's not the amount of use, it's the fact that it goes in my truck every day. In a padded case, but still, in and out of the truck, and I go on some pretty rough roads too.

So, I'm considering swapping the hard drive out with a small SSD. Don't need a lot of storage, and don't want to spend a lot of money. I like the facty that it will have no moving parts, and boot up in about 30 seconds.

I'm considering using this SSD
http://www.amazon.co...d=ATVPDKIKX0DER

and another person on this forum a while back suggested using this program
http://www.apricorn....ware/ezgig.html

to transfer an image over to the SSD, prior to installing, and I'm assuming that this
http://www.amazon.co...=A29Y8OP2GPR7PE

would be all I'd need as far as a proper cable.

Does all this sound about right, or does anyone have any suggestions or comments?

The way I understand it is....I can transfer the image over to the SSD, remove my current hard drive from the laptop, install the SSD, and it will boot up, just as it did before, only faster, yes?

I'm still debating on whether or not I should just install the SSD, get an image of Windows 7 Premium, install a fresh copy, and go from there. Of course, the reason I say get an image is because this laptop didn't come with an installation cd. The first thing it had me do when I booted it up the first time was get 4 DVD's and make a back up. Well, if I'm going to do that, I might as well just transfer the image over...it would be faster.

The benefit of installing a fresh copy is that there is "crap" that ASUS puts on there that I don't care about. The downside is that I'd have to most likely call Microsoft and tell them I swapped hard drives, to get another activation key.

Any input on any of this greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
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JobCreator

JobCreator

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I do believe you could go the "Create a Windows Recovery Disc" route. I may be wrong about this, but 7 has that feature and I'd assume that would get you where you want to go without using imaging. Others can shine more light.
 
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Jeremy Allen

Jeremy Allen

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I recently just did a system Image and restored off that to just wipe my drives. From what it sounds like, you don't have the win 7 discs? Or do you? Because you'll need to have the disc to use the system image file. So be sure to have the disc.

Basically just re-run the whole installation process, but go to repair and choose to restore from system image. Which exactly puts everything you once had on your original hard drive, to the file location where you want it.

As JobCreator said, yes you can make a windows recovery disc, but that takes a lot longer than a system image IMO.

Another option you have is buying a "Chrome Book". That's what I have and what I'm using. The battery is redonculous, and it all saves to the cloud. But you can put in a SD card in to save to that and then to the cloud. The little thing boots up from cold turkey to fully usable in about... 3 seconds, no joke.

Anyways, lol sorry for ranting! Good luck, let me know if you have more questions!
 
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soulweeper

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I have the discs that ASUS had me make the first time I booted the laptop, but making an image just seems easier.

I use this laptop for my Exede satellite internet installs mainly.

If I'm following what you said correctly, I could essentially remove the HDD from the laptop, install the SSD, and then run the backup discs I created?n't seem right, because it's not all on one disc, but maybe it will still work??? That's why I'm assuming just making an image and transferring it to the SSD is more straightforward, but I'm trying to clarify that.
 
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Jeremy Allen

Jeremy Allen

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I need to refresh my memory.. I think what you do, if I'm correct... is basically create the system image file, transfer it to the SSD, and keep both plugged in, restart the PC, run from the disc drive, and then install windows onto the SSD, and then re-boot from the disc drive and repair it using the system image file.

I could be totally wrong. Google on how to make and use system image files.
 
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soulweeper

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My understanding is I can simply create an image of everything that is currently on the laptop now, and transfer it to the SSD, install the SSD, and it should boot right up, just as before, only faster.

I have 4 discs right now, not a single disc, so I don't know how that would go as far as installing on a new SSD. Basically what I'd be doing is cloning my hard drive, and installing that clone on the SSD. That's what I described in my original post, just wanted to confirm it here.
 
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soulweeper

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Nah.....it's not close to full. I only have basically what came on it, and a few small programs, couple browsers....very minimal. I was considering the 60Gb SSD to save money, and because I don't use the laptop for much other than setting up my internet installs. The fast boot up will save some time at the jobs, and be good for a laptop that rides in my truck a lot.
 
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soulweeper

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Thanks.

Well........swapping them isn't hard, it's just the process I described in my original post that I'm concerned about being valid.
 
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