Posts: timkramer | Ugly Hedgehog

therwol wrote:

Cloning is a waste of time if you're going to reinstall Windows.

Feb 21, 2018 11:02:34 #

Found this on the MS site...seems like it's much easier

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install-winpc/clean-install-of-windows-10-os-on-new-ssd-best/9186ae98-b2b4-4b7a-b3ff-0b053ce2d1c9

Feb 21, 2018 10:58:09 #

TriX wrote:

Assuming you plan to do a fresh installation, first make sure you have the Windows license key and either the Windows installation disk or a USB drive with the Windows ISO (you can download the ISO from Microsoft and write onto a USB thumb drive). Note that if you don’t wish to do a clean install, then the procedure is simpler - just install the SSD, clone the HD to the SSD and remove the HD.

1. Add the new memory - reboot and go to start, control panel and system and make sure the new memory is recognized and usable.
2. Add the new SSD. Either use the Samsung utility to partition and format the new drive, or do it manually from start, control panel, computer management, storage. If you need help with this step, let us know and I’ll describe in detail. At this stage, you could clone the HD if there’s an option not to clone Windows, just data and applications (depends on the cloning SW). if the cloning SW does not provide this option, then copy all your user data (my documents, photos) and especially the download folder to the SSD. This assumes that you’re not going to keep the HD and that you have room for both the OS and all your data on the SSD. If you intend to keep the HD and simply add the SSD, just add the SSD.
3. Shut down and remove the HD.
4. Boot with your Windows installation disk in the DVD/CD drive or the USB thumb drive with the Windows ISO plugged in. The Windows installation program should start. If you instead get a Windows or system not found error, then reboot and go into the BIOS (typically by holding down the Del key during booting - the screen will tell you). Change the boot order to add the DVD (or USB) after the HD if not already there. If it is, change the order to boot from the DVD (or USB) first. Then reboot and run the Windows installation. Windows should find the various drivers for your HW and install them. After the installation, make sure your ethernet is working and configure your video/screen resolution.
5. Re install the various applications, either from their disk or the installation executables in your download folder.

Assuming you plan to do a fresh installation, firs... (show quote)

Is there a way to just install the OS on the SSD and then load up the files from an external hard drive? I still have the product keys for the applications that I use so I was wondering if it's possible just to "plug and play" once the SSD has an OS to work with.

Feb 21, 2018 08:29:51 #

OK, so ended up getting the following bits:

1. Samsung 500GB 850 EVO SSD
2. Samsung 8GB RAM (2)

I still need to buy a drive enclosure. So now I am assuming that I would follow these steps:

1. Swap out the Memory
2. Clone the drive
3. Physically install the SSD
4. Re-install Windows 10 once the SSD boots up

Feb 19, 2018 15:35:57 #

TriX wrote:

If you can afford it, I would consider replacing the machine if you want to use it for photo editing. The processor is quite slow (with integrated graphics). I'll have to look back through the thread to see if you mentioned what version of Windows you're running, but if it's a 32 bit version, then you will need to upgrade that to a 64 bit version, or the extra memory you're planning won't be usable.

I'm on Win10, 64-bit version

I would tend to agree TriX. I think the better option is actually just to upgrade the memory to 16GB (relatively cheap) and then doing a re-install of the OS and programs. I am sure that over the years, there is a bunch of garbage that can be removed. Then buy a nice desktop for photo editing and just using the lap top for when I am on the go.

Feb 19, 2018 14:10:06 #

I'm such a slacker! I have been swamped at work over the last week and a half and am returning to this concept. Here is what I think my plan will be:

1. Re-install Windows as has been mentioned by many of you out there and see what that does for me
2. Add the 16GB memory (currently I only have 4 but 16 is Max)
3. Replace the HDD with a 500 GB SSD

I could just skip step 1, but wanted to see if that make it better at all. Defragging seemed to work a little bit and it doesn't seem like it's running as hard. The question does come into play on whether I should worry about all this fresh install/reinstall stuff or just opt for that new machine. Here are some specs below on my laptop. This is why I wonder if it's just better to get a new desktop based on the specs below. I'm not super well-versed in whether or not some of the things are "good enough" for what I need or if it's outdated and time for some new things under the hood. If I end up getting new, I would go the route of desktop machine and use my lap top for travel.

Processor: 2.6GHz/2.1GHz AMD Dual-Core A6-4455M Accelerated Processor
Microprocessor Cache: 1MB L2 Cache
Video Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7500G Discrete-Class graphics
Hard Drive: 500GB 5400RPM hard drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

There's a bunch of information about what's on the motherboard, but I have no idea what to look for to see if it's even a smart idea to upgrade.

Feb 17, 2018 12:19:20 #

Robert63 wrote:

If I were you I would get the 500 gig ssd Crucial 500GB MX500 2.5 for 134.95 from amazon or B@H and do a clean install to the ssd and use your old drive for photos so format the old one do not use old one for operating system the whole point of an ssd is so the operating system is very fast.

Definitely gonna go for a 500GB based on feedback and scale for the future. So would I clone the drive or just do a fresh install of the OS on the new drive?

Feb 17, 2018 10:37:05 #

D500 or D7500

Or you could buy 2 D7200 bodies for the price of one D500

Feb 15, 2018 06:24:56 #

Nikon D300... ran out of $pondolas

I had a D300 and LOVED it! For 300 bucks at under 18K clicks, I think that's a good deal seeing how you have the box and original stuff that came with it. I moved to a D700, which is basically the FX version of the D300 with some upgrades. I used a 35mm on the D300 as a prime and enjoyed that set up. I also had a Sigma 18-250 zoom and a Nikon 16-85mm. Different types of lenses for sure. Since it is a DX sensor, I would recommend the 35mm if you are looking for prime

Feb 14, 2018 15:11:14 #

therwol wrote:

br I'm not getting enough information to guess wh... (show quote)

Ugh....A reinstall could be painful, although I see what you are saying that it could clean a lot of things up for me. I've got everything I need either on my portable drive or up on the cloud so I could do a full wipe and start from scratch to see if that helps. I think I would still go with the SSD option as well as adding the max memory of 16GB. It's a cheap option so why not, right?

I did see the Samsung EVO is less than the Samsung PRO version on Amazon, but the Crucial is still slightly cheaper by about 15 bucks

Feb 14, 2018 13:24:34 #

Leaning towards doing the following:

1. Replace my current 4GB memory with 16GB (2 x 8GB) for about $130
2. Swap out my 500GB HDD with a 128GB or 256GB SSD. Why am I going down? I have a Toshiba 750GB external drive that is small and portable so I could just pop that in to act as my primary storage for pictures and such. I think I can get a 256GB SSD for around 100 bucks.

With the money I save on going this route I might buy a new monitor as well. The big question would be if this route is a decent option or should I just sink the money into a new laptop/desktop?

Feb 13, 2018 12:08:33 #

mikeglaw wrote:

If you can replace your hdd with an ssd, at least 512gb (cost about $130 on Amazon) you can add about a 5x speed improvement. Also, if you can double your memory tha may help.

Might be able to swap the HDD with the SSD, but currently my 4GB memory is only expandable to 8 max I believe. I need to check the specs on which Envy model it is, but I think it only has 1 additional memory slot and I thought it would only reach 8GB. At the time I bought it, I figured 4 was enough and the 500MB storage was plenty. This was a long time ago in computer years though.

Feb 13, 2018 11:17:37 #

Backing up Photos on the move

Hammer wrote:

I have seen a similar post in the past but am confused .

I shoot in RAW and only carry an iPad when travelling but want to backup my photos. I have seen some costly solutions. Was going to consider Next Di but really looking for a solution with incremental backup .

Any ideas from you fellow Hoggers ?

Not sure what type of card you are using or how much you are looking to store, but I have the Lightning to SD Card Reader and have been more than happy with it. My iPad is 128GB but I also use Apple Cloud to sync with my photos, so it's a quick way to get my pictures off the card and backed up for me to do post processing later on

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJYT2AM/A/lightning-to-sd-card-camera-reader

Feb 13, 2018 11:11:19 #

Experience with mpb.com???

67skylark27 wrote:

Anyone have personal experience with trading equipment in
at mpb.com?? Please share. Thanks!

Another UHH member recommended MPB to me based on his experience so I recently used them for 3 DX lenses I was trying to unload. Obviously I got less than what I could have sold them here on UHH or locally via CraigsList or LetGo, but I felt their prices were very, very fair. I submitted to them, Adorama, and another online camera store and MPB gave me 30% more than the other places. Their original quote was only 5% more than what they paid me after final inspection which I thought was pretty sweet! The other thing I really love about MPB is that they don't mail you a check, but you submit your bank information to them and get paid pretty immediately. I think from the time I submitted my quote to the time I was paid was no more than 6 days. Crazy fast seeing how you had to ship your stuff out to them! I was originally going to use the money to trade in for some products and you can pick and choose the items that you want. However, I changed direction at the end on what I wanted to buy and just accepted the cash instead.

Great company. I would definietly use them again for both buying and selling.

Feb 13, 2018 11:04:12 #

Really great comments and recommendations out here. I do appreciate the time you all have taken. Looks like the Mac vs. PC battle is still alive and well. That being said, I'm still no closer to a decision yet :) But hey, lots of things to research out there.