Buying SSD to put in existing system. Want to install operating syste

[the collector]

Hello. I built a rig two years ago. I have a 7200 rmp 720 gig hard drive in it with my operating system(windows 7) and everything else installed on it. I want to buy a SSD and install the operaitng system on that as well; Then use that to boot my system up from now on. Anyone have any advice on how to do this properly? I dont want to screw this up. I am not all that tech savvy.


ANtec 1200
core I7 920
6 gb ram
gtx 260 sli
750 watt corsair psu

 

[Branden]

done this several times myself, easiest and quickest thing to do is clone your existing HDD onto the new SSD, then just boot up from the SSD. no need to reinstall or reactivate anything, no loss of preferences or settings...

i'm not going to hold your hand, but here's the gist of what to do:
1) ensure you purchase a SSD large enough for your needs and current usage. if you're currently using up 80gigs on your HDD then you'll need a SSD of at least 80gigs, post formatting obviously.
2) download and install the free edition of easeus partition master
3) using easeus, shrink the c: partition down to SSD size, even smaller just to be sure (ie, if you bought a 128gig SSD, shrink c: down to around 100gig). windows' built in disk management might be able to do this, but i find it usually never lets you shrink a system partition as much as it could.
4) plug your SSD into the computer (sata preferably, but via USB adapter works fine too), you'll have to restart the computer if it doesn't support hot-plug/ahci.
5) using easeus, clone your existing HDD onto your SSD, click the shutdown after completion box. if it asks you something regarding making the SSD bootable click yes. this will only be a few minutes over sata (over an hour using USB)
6) when it's done and shutdown, take out the HDD, replace it with the SSD.
7) bootup! (you may have to reconfigure boot priority in BIOS, maybe not)
8) now that you're up and running on your SSD, use easeus once more to expand the c: partition into any unused space (or windows' disk management)

 

[the collector]

Thanks man. I really appreciate the time you put into typing these instructions for me. I would buy you a shot or two if I could. Thanks again.

 

[plugs]

After several days failing at other methods to clone my system HDD to a smaller SSD, I also followed Branden's advice, got EaseUS Todo Backup and followed his instructions. Perfect! Really enjoying the new SSD. More appreciative shots on call!

 

[offtrack]

http://ssd.mooo.com/

here is my list, and some tuning tricks too.