Is a 60GB SSD enough for Windows 7 and a few other programs?

soulweeper · Jun 21, 2013

I do Exede internet installations, and use my Asus laptop to set it up, so it goes in and out of my truck quite a bit, so I'm going to install an SSD, after transferring an image of the current HDD. It's a matter of time before the HHD suffers from all the movement, and the faster boot up will be nice too.

That being said, I don't use this laptop for much, besides work, so it doesn't need much beyond the OS, which is Windows 7. Right now it has a 320GB, 5400 rpm hard drive, and I'm thinking of using either this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006VCP72W/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

but I'm wondering if I'm pushing it, as far as being too small? I've heard that the general rule of thumb is not to go beyond 80% of capacity.

Like I said.....I use it to do my Exede installs, and it has a few other programs, but it's very minimal.

On that note......my current HDD is partitioned from the factory, and it shows up as
OS ( C: ) 79.7GB free of 119GB
and
DATA ( D: ) 153GB free of153GB
so how will that work if I clone it and put it on a 60GB SSD?

I'm assuming it will simply show about 20GB free of 60GB, and no "D Drive"??, or will it partition the new SSD?? Hope I explained that right.

Would it be easier to just delete the D drive, as there is nothing on it, and just expand the C Drive to one big drive, then clone the drive???

My main question is regarding the 60GB SSD being big enough, especially with what I use the computer for, but I am curious about tha partition issue as well.

If not, I will go with this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ4F9ZA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Any feedback or input of any kind IMMENSELY appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

Hard Line · Jun 21, 2013

I never recommend less than 128GB

USAFRet · Jun 21, 2013

Yeah, the 60GB will work, mostly. But you'll be sweating the free space needed for the TRIM function.

The price difference between a 60 and a 128 (Samsung 840 at Amazon) is about $40-$50. For me, the $50 is worth not having to think about it. Especially in a business environment.

soulweeper · Jun 21, 2013

USAFRet :

I appreciate that, and I do agree. I was trying to save a few bucks. I might add that when I set up these customers with internet, I'm using nothing more than a browser. Other than work, I might check email, surf the net...very little. But yeah......just having to not think about it is a good idea. I'd no sooner put the 60 in, and have some need for more space......murphy's law.

Do you have any advice on the partition thing on my current HDD?

soulweeper · Jun 21, 2013

Is this the one you're referring to?
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-120GB-internal-Solid-MZ-7TD120BW/dp/B009NHAF06/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1371863837&sr=1-1&keywords=samsung+840

I have an Intel 520 series 120GB in my desktop, and a I terabyte Western Digital HDD as well.

I was thinking of the Crucial that I linked to in my first post, as it's cheaper than the Intel, but does the Samsung have a good reputation?

USAFRet · Jun 21, 2013

soulweeper :

Cloning and the existing partition scheme...I never recommend cloning from a HDD to a new SDD.
New install of Windows and whatever applications it needs.

The existing D is almost certainly a recovery partition. The existing C has whatever crap/bloatware it came with.

Cloning the existing C & D partitions to a 60GB (or even 128) probably won't work.
Download an ISO for the OS from Microsoft, install using the valid key, and love life with the SSD.

USAFRet · Jun 21, 2013

soulweeper :

The Samsung 840 Pro is the currently recognized 'best option'.

soulweeper · Jun 21, 2013

USAFRet :

Mind if I ask why you don't recommend cloning from an HDD to an SSD? Isn't an image an image? When I talked to the people at Crucial, they said all I'd need is this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EUCU3O/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
and my new SSD.

And cloning the existing partitions won't work, like you said, but what if I deleted the D partition on the HDD, and expanded the C to one drive.....wouldn't it work then?

Well, if I download an ISO from microsoft, my current key will simply work, correct? Can I simply download an ISO for free from Microsoft? If so.....what about the drivers for my network card, and basic things like that? I built my first computer last year, but I had a cd that came with my motherboard that had all my drivers and whatnot, so I'm not exactly sure what I'd need to do after installing the fresh copy of Windows. I like the idea of getting rid of all the crap that Asus has on it, but like when I built my computer, I could see the hard drives, but couldn't access them......something like that. It was new to me, and a guy from Asus tech support walked me through it.

It's funny......some people are huge fans of disc imaging, and others aren't like yourself. in the middle......I just don't know.

To be honest, I'd like to just put the SSD in, and install a new copy of 7, and just get the basics like Flash, Adobe reader, etc. etc, and be done with it, but I want it to just work after I install it.

USAFRet · Jun 21, 2013

Yes, and ISO downloaded from MS, along with your existing key, will work perfectly.

I don't recommend a clone from existing HDD to a smaller SSD, because you are dragging along a lot of old, unnecessary crap.
With the smaller SSD, some apps should be installed on it, and some not. The clone scenario prevents that choice.
For instance, on a gaming machine - other than load times, game play does not really benefit from being on the SSD. And because they can be huge, significant space is used up for nothing. So the 'games should probably be installed elsewhere.

In your situation, the OS and a couple of critical apps will go on the SDD. Documents and other stuff on an HDD. But splitting that pre-clone is a PITA. Easier/faster to just install fresh, and divide stuff as you desire.

A Windows installation is not just the Windows folder, but also all the entries existing in the Registry, AppData, and elsewhere. ALL of that is part of the Windows installation, and will be cloned/migrated to the new drive.

Just reading through questions here on Toms...."I cloned my drive to the SSD and now things are f'ed up! HELP!" is far more prevalent than "I installed fresh on the SSD, followed all the guidelines, and things are F'ed up!"

It works, mostly. But I see a far greater chance of failure than doing it the other way.

soulweeper · Jun 21, 2013

USAFRet :

Ok, but I'm doing this on a laptop, so there won't be any splitting up of anything between an SSD and HDD....it's all going to the same place.

I would definitely rather install a fresh copy of Windows 7, and put only what I want on it, but remembering when I built my desktop last year, after I installed Windows 7 from an ISO I had, I had the operating system but for example, I couldn't access the internet......my network card needed drivers and whatnot....as did other things. That's my concern.....as I do ok with computers, but I'm not an "expert". I don't want to get stuck with this new copy of Windows 7 on a new SSD, but can't use all the functions. I don't have a "drivers" disc to grab.

In a nutshell.....installing the SSD and putting a new copy of Windows 7 on it is fine, but what will I need to do after that, and how do I do it? That's all I need to know. I hope that makes sense.

USAFRet · Jun 21, 2013

soulweeper :

Gather all the needed drivers before. Put them on a thumbdrive. Once Windows is installed (on the SSD), install the drivers from that thumb drive. Network driver first.
I do it that way all the time. Get the specific drivers for your hardware before any major change, just in case.

soulweeper · Jun 21, 2013

USAFRet :

Ok......but as much as I hate to ask, where do I look for a "list" of the hardware on my laptop? Amazon doesn't exactly get that specific, and I did a google search earlier for the specs, but I didn't find anything about the hardware it's built with. I'd need primarily the drivers for the network card, and what else? It's an ASUS A53E-ES92.

USAFRet · Jun 21, 2013

soulweeper :

USAFRet :

Ok......but as much as I hate to ask, where do I look for a "list" of the hardware on my laptop? Amazon doesn't exactly get that specific, and I did a google search earlier for the specs, but I didn't find anything about the hardware it's built with. I'd need primarily the drivers for the network card, and what else? It's an ASUS A53E-ES92.

Always go to the manufacturer for that stuff.
A53E drivers here, and select the OS.

spooky2th · Jun 21, 2013

You should be able to clone the HDD to your ssd, no problems. I've done it several times. All your MB drivers, etc will be installed. Some manufacturers even provide cloning kits to do just that for their ssd's. Once cloned, install your ssd into the boot drive's slot. Don't worry about the other drive. It will function like it did with your old HDD boot drive. You will have less than 20GB of free space on the ssd, I'd bet. Don't know if that will be enough in the long run.

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

spooky2th :

Don't worry about which other drive....the "D" drive that is actually just a partition? If it's that easy, I'm all for it.

But at the same time, I wouldn't mind not having a bunch of the crap that Asus puts on there.

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

USAFRet :

soulweeper :

Always go to the manufacturer for that stuff.
A53E drivers here, and select the OS.

Thanks.

But now I'm really confused.....on that page, there are multiple versions of many of them, so I assume I'd download that latest version of whatever one I wanted, but my main question is.....would I need all the drivers on that page, if starting from scratch?
For example.....look at "others"....there are 6 different things right there alone. Do I get all 6 of those? I guess everything that is on that page goes on the Asus A53 laptop, yes?

spooky2th · Jun 22, 2013

Delete/uninstall the crap before you clone the drive. Or just install an ssd and reinstall windows from scratch. You will have to install the MB drivers too. I'd get all the latest versions from the manufacturer's web site before cloning. Store them on a USB drive or even a R/W DVD so you will have them after windows is installed. You're gonna have to install all your programs that you had on the computer too.

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

spooky2th :

Yeah, I know about installing my programs. I don't have much on there....it's mainly for my Exede installs, so that part will be no big deal.

I don't mind installing from scratch, but here's my biggest concern. I built a new computer last year, but the motherboard came with a cd that had all my drivers, so it was easy. Doing it from scratch because I'm replacing the HDD with an SSD is new to me, and a bit more intimidating, which is why the cloning seems easier. But at the same time, having less crap on the computer would also be nice.
That being said.....I'm assuming every driver I would possibly need would be on the Asus web site, on that page I linked to, correct? It's for the A53 series laptop. And that's where the motherboard drivers are as well, yes?

What I don't understand is.....there are several versions of many of them, so I guess I would get whatever latest version is available of any given driver, correct?

Not only that, would I get every single driver on that page?

That's where I get a little confused, but mainly because I just haven't done it.

Thanks in advance!

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

For example....in this screenshot
http://imgur.com/JfSuEUa
do I need all of them?

And in this screenshot (this is under "utilities")
http://imgur.com/LFcchMq
I know I don't need the Asus facelogon utility.....so what I'm getting at is, how the heck do I get just what I need if I install windows 7 from scratch?

spooky2th · Jun 22, 2013

Just go thru the drivers and pick the latest one from each. LAN is for your port that is connected to the Modem. Audio is self explanatory. USB, chipset, touchpad and others are needed so that your laptop will work correctly. What you probably do not need is the Utilities. After installing the drivers, go into Device Manager and make sure there are now yellow warning flags on anything. These flags mean no driver or a corrupted/badly installed driver. You should be able to find the driver for each device that's on your laptop.

Edit:
If you used or want to any of those utilities, then install the ones you want. They can always be installed at a later time too.

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

spooky2th :

Yeah....I knew about LAN and touchpad and a few others, just wasn't sure if I'd get everything. I see what you're saying as far as utilities.....I can probably look at the list, and some stuff will be obvious that I don't have or need/want it, so simply don't bet it, correct?

Everything else, I can just get the latest version of, and put all of it on a thumb drive.

That being said.....would I simply install Windows 7 after installing the new SSD, and then simply install all the drivers I've put on the thumb drive, onto the laptop?

As far as using the activation key that came with the laptop....I can get an ISO online, and obviously I'd get the Windows 7, 64 bit, because that's what came with the laptop.....and it should work, correct?

The reason I ask is, I have an ISO of Windows 7 Ultimate, but the key from my laptop won't work for that, correct?

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

Here's another example of what I'm talking about. Look at this screenshot
http://imgur.com/V0iewUL

I don't even know what that is, or if I need it. Not only that, just in that category, they're all different. That is what is confusing me.

Even the LAN drivers....there are 3 different ones, and the one in the middle is a pretty big file compare to the other two
http://imgur.com/3AW6wsS

It's the same with the BIOS

spooky2th · Jun 22, 2013

You probably don't need any of the email & safety group. There are two Lan drivers that have the same description. I would just install the latest one and if your laptop has wireless abilities, then also the larger middle driver. Download all three though. After installing, if there is a yellow flag on your Lan in drivers you might need to install the third one, but I doubt it.

Your activation code should work. As long as it is the same MB there shouldn't be any problems. Somewhere at the beginning of windows install it will ask for the activation code. You can skip it and do it later but I almost always input it when asked. Windows will activate while on-line after three days or so.

All you need to install is the OS, MB drivers and your personal programs and you will have a lean OS while saving some drive space too.

In BIOS, for better R/W speeds with a SSD, set your system to AHCI before the install. Like right after you have installed the SSD, go into BIOS first, set it up and then boot with your Windows install software.

soulweeper · Jun 22, 2013

spooky2th :

You probably don't need any of the email & safety group. There are two Lan drivers that have the same description. I would just install the latest one and if your laptop has wireless abilities, then also the larger middle driver. Download all three though. After installing, if there is a yellow flag on your Lan in drivers you might need to install the third one, but I doubt it.

Your activation code should work. As long as it is the same MB there shouldn't be any problems. Somewhere at the beginning of windows install it will ask for the activation code. You can skip it and do it later but I almost always input it when asked. Windows will activate while on-line after three days or so.

All you need to install is the OS, MB drivers and your personal programs and you will have a lean OS while saving some drive space too.

In BIOS, for better R/W speeds with a SSD, set your system to AHCI before the install. Like right after you have installed the SSD, go into BIOS first, set it up and then boot with your Windows install software.

Yes, I did the AHCI setting when I built my desktop. Which of those are the motherboard drivers?

spooky2th · Jun 22, 2013

Your MB drivers are the Lan, audio, chipset, usb and etc. All the drivers that make the devices on your MB & system work. Go into device manager and you will see what you have now.

Is a 60GB SSD enough for Windows 7 and a few other programs?

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