[Jim45]

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.co.../ref=ox_sc_s...

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.co.../ref=ox_sc_s...

Any feedback or input of any kind IMMENSELY appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

[Advertisements]

Hello Jim45

To allow for the many updates that will be released in the years ahead + software that you often use you should select an SSD with a storage capacity of at least 120GB a bargain at the moment http://www.microcent...tate_Drive_(SSD)

Free imaging software http://www.macrium.c...eflectfree.aspx

[phillpower2]

Hello Jim45

To allow for the many updates that will be released in the years ahead + software that you often use you should select an SSD with a storage capacity of at least 120GB a bargain at the moment http://www.microcent...tate_Drive_(SSD)

Free imaging software http://www.macrium.c...eflectfree.aspx

[Jim45]

Hello Jim45

To allow for the many updates that will be released in the years ahead + software that you often use you should select an SSD with a storage capacity of at least 120GB a bargain at the moment http://www.microcent...tate_Drive_(SSD)

Free imaging software http://www.macrium.c...eflectfree.aspx

Thanks! That is a good price for that.

What do you think about my current C and "D" drive, the D drive simply being a partition, and currently empty. Should I delete the D drive before cloning, so it's one C drive, or will the cloning software know how to handle that? I'm going from a 320GB HDD to a 120GB SSD. Hope that made sense.

[phillpower2]

Another free software and link to help you with the task http://www.partition...n-windows-7.htm

When you get around to it you could obtain an external USB HDD enclosure to use the 320GB HDD for additional storage space.

You are welcome BTW

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Does the Laptop have a hidden factory restore partition? Will it be cloned to the SSD without problems?

[Jim45]

Gday.

Does the Laptop have a hidden factory restore partition? Will it be cloned to the SSD without problems?

That I'm not sure of. It does have that "D" drive, which is just a partition. How can I find out if it has a hidden partition? I guess Asus would know if I called them.I was thinking of deleting that D drive, and making it one big C drive, but not sure if that's ok to do.

[Jim45]

I checked with ASUS, and it does have a hidden recovery partition, and the guy said it won't clone over, but that my old HDD would essentially be my backup, which I agree with, in a way. At the same time, the recovery partition isn't a big deal, in this case. I use this laptop mainly for work, setting up Excede high speed internet installs, and only use a browser for that. I might sit on the couch and check email or whatever, but nothing really demanding or important will be on this computer.

That being said, the guy said it will only clone the first partition, so I guess I will be ok. I'm very tempted to just do a fresh install with an ISO of Windows 7, since the activation key on the laptop should work, as long as I don't change the motherboard, correct?

[phillpower2]

since the activation key on the laptop should work, as long as I don't change the motherboard, correct?

That is correct