Just ordered a SSD Hard Drive, now what?

[dj subculture]

Cloning would just get you back to vista, that's why it's called a clone.. you only need to backup your data!

Let me rephrase, I should install Win7 on my current HDD and then clone l onto the SDD?

Eh, not really, just buy the 64-bit version.

Buy a 64 bit version of Win7 to install on a 32bit OS?

[BradCee]

Buy a 64 bit version of Win7 to install on a 32bit OS?

and then you'll have a 64bit OS...

[MattM]

Here's the order of what you need to do.

1. Backup all the files you want to save on an external drive
2. Remove old hard drive
3. install your SSD
4. install windows 7
5. Copy all your data back

This will be a clean install so the architecture (32bit/64bit) doesn't matter at that point.

[mostapha]

I didn't read any of the replies.

First, I own that SSD…ran it in my Macbook for the last…however long it's been since I got it (IHNFC).

You do need to refresh it occasionally, which means wiping it. Or upgrade to an OS that supports trim, if the drive can even do it. That SSD uses one of the older controllers that slows down as the drive gets full. It wasn't a huge deal, but I did have to occasionally wipe it to bring it back to full speed.

Also…I'd return it if I were you and you had any money left over…that price is a bit high compared to what you can get now, for example: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDMX060/

I know it's on macsales.com, but I don't think there's any reason to think that it won't work on Windows (call them if you need confirmation). It's the same price and about the same size. And it's a better drive. If you can afford closer to $220, you can get the brand new 6G version that will saturate 6Gbit SATA channels and uses a controller that does all of the Trim shit within the drive…so your OS doesn't matter. There are only a couple SSDs on the market that use that controller, and the Mercury drives benchmark slightly better than the OCZ drives and have higher MTTF numbers and a good warranty.

I have a 120GB Mercury 6G in my new macbook pro (had it less than 24 hours before I did the upgrade) and it freaking screams. It's worth the money over the entry-level Kingston hands down if you can afford it…and I actually own both of those drives.

Also, OWC (aka macsales) is a good company. $12 next-day shipping actually meant that it arrived at 10am the next day…when I ordered it at 6:30 pm. Seriously, 16 hours from hitting submit to taking my laptop apart to install it. I was kind of impressed.

As far as how to do the transition…I can't help you. I haven't used windows seriously since 2004.

[StephanV]

You do need to refresh it occasionally, which means wiping it. Or upgrade to an OS that supports trim, if the drive can even do it. That SSD uses one of the older controllers that slows down as the drive gets full. It wasn't a huge deal, but I did have to occasionally wipe it to bring it back to full speed.

That's where TRIM comes in. Windows 7 supports it natively, OSX doesn't. No need to wipe it if you got TRIM!

Also…I'd return it if I were you and you had any money left over…that price is a bit high compared to what you can get now\

Agreed. I paid 130€ (which usually translates to the same amount in USD) for a 96GB model of the newer V+100 series!

If you can afford closer to $220, you can get the brand new 6G version that will saturate 6Gbit SATA channels and uses a controller that does all of the Trim shit within the drive…so your OS doesn't matter.

He's got a SATA-3 motherboard, so buying a SATA-6 drive is just throwing money away.

[dj subculture]

Here's the order of what you need to do.

1. Backup all the files you want to save on an external drive
2. Remove old hard drive
3. install your SSD
4. install windows 7
5. Copy all your data back

This will be a clean install so the architecture (32bit/64bit) doesn't matter at that point.

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

[mostapha]

He's got a SATA-3 motherboard, so buying a SATA-6 drive is just throwing money away.

Right you are. Like I said, I don't know anything about PC hardware anymore except that it's less shiny and you're supposed to think about it more than "I want the 13" and where are the screws so I can put a drive in it?"

Heh…the guy at the apple store was actually hardcore selling their SSD upgrades until I flat-out told him that they don't sell any drives good enough for me to pay for. Apparently being a dick works better than quoting meaningful numbers.

Sorry…back /ot.

[MiL0]

He's got a SATA-3 motherboard, so buying a SATA-6 drive is just throwing money away.

disagree with this - would be better to get a SATA-6 ssd since they're not much more expensive than the SATA-3 ssd's. When/if you upgrade your motherboard, you'll be pretty pleased when your hard drive suddenly starts working at twice the speed!

that's what I've done anyway... went for the OCZ Agility which was only £10 more than a OCZ Vertex 2E. My mobo doesn't support the extra speed, but its there for when I upgrade

[dj subculture]

UPDATE:
Just installed my SSD and Win7. Initial impressions, WOW. Boot time is stupid fast, power it up, turn my back, look back again and it's done.

Now that that's all done, I'm installing my Denon Driver's for my mixer, Traktor will be next.

I know about the NI Knowledge Base, but are there any other sites offering optimization tips?

[StephanV]

Optimization for running Traktor? Nothing Windows related no. What would you want to optimize anyway?

And yeah, the speed's pretty cool eh!