How to install Hybrid SSD/HDDm help!

Hello, i am going to buy the 500gb seagate momentus xt Hybrid HDD for my Asus G73jh-A1. I currently have one x 500GB Sata Hard drive, with a spare slot (product was shipped with only one HDD).

Once i recieve my 500gb seagate momentus xt, i have no idea how to go about actually installing the thing! I need some step by step instructions for someone who isnt exactly tech savvy. I know of the issues ie no bracket, and im all set to improvise that part, however it is actually getting my system to recognise the drive that i dont feel i will be able to do alone once the drive is in place.

Some info that might help:

Updated Bios (this is the most complex thing i have done lol, took some doing too!)
1 x 500 GB Sata HDD currently installed (OS is obviously on this drive)

Hmmm cant think of much else actually, let me know if you need to know more, hope someone can help! Also, and this is a rather large matter in itself, i need a way to move my OS onto my new 500gb seagate momentus xt?? I don know how to go about any of this. I do not have a windows 7 disc as this didnt come with the laptop, and i am just about to back up my hard drive on disc now. Cheers again in advance.

 

I think you need the HDD bracket to fit the extra HDD in.

 

Here you go.

 

Thanks for the reply, but like i said, its not the fitting of the drive that is the problem here, and i know i need to improvise UNLESS i buy a bracket, which isnt a problem. My problem is the installation/gettingmy system to recognise the drive, and shifting all of my OS onto the new drive and installing the old drive into the other slot.

 

Use acronis home image. You can clone your old drive onto the new one.

 

Thanks for that advice on the acronis! Appreciated. Now i just need t know how to go about getting my laptop to recognise the new drive...

EDIT: I would really appreciate some help asap as my new drive is arriving tomorrow and i want to get this beast running straight away major concerns: Shifting OS to new Hybrid Drive, and getting my laptop to recognise thenew drive. Cheers!

 

Maybe I missed something, but why do you think the system won't recognize the drive?

 

Isnt there anything i have to do while the system is booting? Or will it just appear and sort itself? Also the problem with the OS is still an issue... thnks.

 

You could boot into BIOS setup just to make sure the drive was recognized and perhaps to check/set boot device order, but otherwise there shouldn't be anything you need to do.

 

Ok thanks then hope all goes well tomorrow. Not sure exactly how to use that acronis software but will give it a go...hope i dont lose everything as i can back up my whole laptop on 10 discs!

 

The way I did it using Acronis, is take out the old HD(put into external case and plug into laptop via USB), put the new one in laptop, then turn on laptop, put Acronis CD in( you will boot off of it) then follow the instructions. It was that easy.

 

Is that step even necessary if you have space for two internal hard drives?

 

I did/do it in-place (although I later saved the image to an external drive )

 

Ok, i'm a tool. I think. I have no paperwork etc for my Windows 7 Home PRemium on this laptop, however i have a label on the bottom of the laptop wit a product key. Is there anyways i can download Windows 7 (my copy), save it onto an external hard drive, and then install it once my new hard drive is installed? A link? Im searching google now

EDIT: Just seen the new posts, didnt realise they ere there!Thanks again for all the help. I have no CD for acronis...i was just going to use the free download?

The way im hoping this can work is...and tell me if i'm wrong please, is i retain my copy of windows seven, save it to my external USB hard drive. Then, take out my current internal HDD, replace it with my new hybrid, and place the old HDD into the other (previously spare) slot after formatting it. Then, on boot up, since my new Hybrid will be empty, i will install Windows 7 via my external Hard drive onto this. So ultimately...i should (in theory?!) be left with my OS on my new Hybrid drive, withplenty of spare room, and a completely empty second HDD (my previous main HDD).

My god i think im going mental, head spinning and i'm sure im doing all your head's in as well! Sorry in advance and a massive thank you to all. I just dont want to mess this up!

 

Yes, very true. I didn't have space so I used the external closure and USB. Just sayin' what I did. I could have taken out the other hard drive but then that was an extra step. Oh well.

 

I feel on the sidelines with my thread anyone got any input? Bracket is sorted, i have acquired one . Just need to know about windows 7 home premium for which i have the key, though i've followed the instructions on downloading the 3 files so i thin kthat's sorted so long as i have the key. Its just the acronis really, or how to mirror the OS onto the new drive, and the order i do it in and how (during boot, or once its run up? :S

 

If you have already made backup of your original hard drive(old) then pull out old drive, insert new drive(New). Now, either put "old" into empty bay or put into external enclosure and and connect with USB. Turn on and put Acronis CD into tray and clone "old" to "new". DONE. (just follow on screen directions). If it for some reason doesn't work you still have the "old" hard drive you can put back in plus you have the backup. You don't need to install or reinstall Win 7 if already on the "old" hard drive to do this.

 

Ok, that is quite helpful thank you very much. I have the drive here now, so im just puckering up the courage to dive in! Thing is, i want to do a clean install of windows seven, which is why i done all of what i said. So...Im going to do as you say, however instead of cloning, i think im just gonna install windows 7 onto the new drive after i have logged in, and then reormat the old drive? This is possible right?

EDIT: Right, this is what i want to go down... i think i can do it in this order so please step in if im wrong.

1) Insert NEW hard drive into the spare slot (leaving my old drive in place)

2) Boot up, install Windows 7 onto the new drive (clean install, get rid of the bloatware)

3) Shut down, switch my hard drives around and boot up (on boot, im assuming the NEW install of windows will be loaded up)

4) Reformat the whole of my old drive, so its empty.

I should in theory be left with a clean install of windows seven on my new drive, and nothing else?

Last post i hope:s!

 

this is what i did when i got a ssd
removed original os hard drive(all asus content remain intact)
use ABR to back up the original windows key.
pop in ssd.
insert windows 7 and install os.
use ABR again to install the original key
../done.. play games

 

DId you place the old HDD inside when you booted for the first time or...?

 

no its out of the laptop..
so there was a fresh ssd and an empty second hard drive.

basically if u have a bootable windows 7 disc u can press esc while staring and select optical drive to enter the disc.

then select custom install and install into ssd or hybrid ssd..

 

OK, help! I have placed my new hard drive into the spare slot as i thought i would reformat this first before switching the two, and it hasnt been recognised on startup. I just have a normal startup with everything i had before (naturally, cos i didnt switch the bays), and i open My Computer and i just see one hard drive, and not my new one, even though its inserted ?? Any help or suggestions?

OK, so everything is done now...almost. I have installed Windows 7 on the new hard drive, clean install, no bloatware or nothing. Now everything seems weird. The whole user interface is different (as expected, i know). From the pointer moving slower (even though its adjusted to the most sensitive via control panel) to just looking plain odd in general! It looks more...i dunno...not as crisp as before? More Sega Megadrive-y ! Dunno how to explain lol. ANy hel appreciated again.