Swapping drives and operating systems
Nov 14, 2019 13:08:47 #
nadelewitz
Loc: Ithaca NY
There are some glitches that can happen with Windows if simply cloning a hard drive to an SSD. I have done this a number of times, and have dealt with them all.
1. Changing BIOS drive setting from ATA mode to AHCI mode (any "modern" computer has this), for better function with an SSD. The Windows installation from the hard drive will not boot in AHCI mode.
2. Defragmenting a hard drive is beneficial, but is not needed with an SSD, and can add unnecessary "wear" on an SSD. SSDs use a function called TRIM (optimizing) instead of defragging. After cloning a hard drive image to an SSD, Windows may not adjust to the change in hardware. You'll see this in the "Degragment and Optimize Drives tool in Windows Administartive Tools." Windows will still think it has a hard drive, you can turn off Defrag, but not be able to optimize the drive.
3. If the hard drive is larger than the SSD, most cloning software cannot do the clone.
#1 is fixable, easily found on the Web. #2 isn't fixable. #3 calls for cloning software that CAN put a drive image on a smaller drive. An oldie-but-goodie is Ghost. AOMEI Backupper also works very well for this.
I have usually ended up avoiding the hassles by installing Windows from scratch (first setting the BIOS to use AHCI Mode). This way everything is hunky-dory to begin with. And you have a fresh, new Windows install, free of anything flaky/suspicious that may have existed in the system that you may not even have been aware of (yet).
If you have the means to legally reinstall Windows and all your software (downloads, original media, etc.), this is really the most desirable way to go. Back up your DATA from the computer to external media before taking out the hard drive (if you don't already do backups) and you can then just copy it onto the new SSD-based system. You can even hang on to the hard drive intact in case you missed something in the backup, and connect it later as a USB external drive to retrieve what you missed.
1. Changing BIOS drive setting from ATA mode to AHCI mode (any "modern" computer has this), for better function with an SSD. The Windows installation from the hard drive will not boot in AHCI mode.
2. Defragmenting a hard drive is beneficial, but is not needed with an SSD, and can add unnecessary "wear" on an SSD. SSDs use a function called TRIM (optimizing) instead of defragging. After cloning a hard drive image to an SSD, Windows may not adjust to the change in hardware. You'll see this in the "Degragment and Optimize Drives tool in Windows Administartive Tools." Windows will still think it has a hard drive, you can turn off Defrag, but not be able to optimize the drive.
3. If the hard drive is larger than the SSD, most cloning software cannot do the clone.
#1 is fixable, easily found on the Web. #2 isn't fixable. #3 calls for cloning software that CAN put a drive image on a smaller drive. An oldie-but-goodie is Ghost. AOMEI Backupper also works very well for this.
I have usually ended up avoiding the hassles by installing Windows from scratch (first setting the BIOS to use AHCI Mode). This way everything is hunky-dory to begin with. And you have a fresh, new Windows install, free of anything flaky/suspicious that may have existed in the system that you may not even have been aware of (yet).
If you have the means to legally reinstall Windows and all your software (downloads, original media, etc.), this is really the most desirable way to go. Back up your DATA from the computer to external media before taking out the hard drive (if you don't already do backups) and you can then just copy it onto the new SSD-based system. You can even hang on to the hard drive intact in case you missed something in the backup, and connect it later as a USB external drive to retrieve what you missed.
Nov 14, 2019 13:10:46 #
To find your Windows key.
https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/How-to-backup-Windows-85379640
Download and run the file it is very simple
https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/How-to-backup-Windows-85379640
Download and run the file it is very simple
Nov 15, 2019 00:18:36 #
samsung lets you download free software that works with thier ssd drives which are the best. works easy as pie.
Nov 17, 2019 07:36:50 #
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