HDD to SSD transfer with Norton Ghost - Things to consider (XPS 17)

As per title, i've got a Samsung SSD 830 2.5inch SATA III 6GBps 256GB and it comes with Norton Ghost to make a copy of my existing HDD OS and all.

Is this the most efficient way of getting the SSD up and running or would i benefit from a fresh install. I will have to download all the relevant drivers with the fresh install which i am happy to do.

Would just like to know of any problems that may arise with the HDD copy procedure, for example maybe the SSD will retain settings best optimized for a HDD only, caching and de-fragmenting settings are my immediate concerns. Obviously i can just turn off or not run defrag but any other settings people can suggest that could cause conflict would be greatly appreciated.

I plan on the usual set up of the SSD running the OS and labour intensive programs and games and the HDD to store media. Should i wipe the HDD, i'm not sure if having the OS installed on two connected drives can cause issues.

 

What I would do would be to do a fresh install on the SDD, transfer over all your data files and then wipe the hard disk (so that you can recover the disk space). If the XPS 17 doesn't have more than one HD bay you might need to mount the HD on a desktop to get the files off.

You can, if you like image over the entire partition from the HD to the SSD but you'll probably end up with a lot of old data you don't need anymore. If you are running Windows 7 it should detect the drive change so you don't need to worry about that. If you're running a version of Windows before 7 you should considering upgrading to 7 because versions before 7 are not designed to be installed on SSDs.

You can copy the disks over on a desktop should your laptop not have enough hard drive bays.

 

The SSD should have an USB interface for this transfer.

 

Indeed it comes with a USB transfer kit and a copy of Norton Ghost. The easier option is to just do a straight transfer but i think i'll opt for the fresh transfer, thus getting rid of any Dell bloatware etc.

 

I would do a fresh one as well.

Be sure you do not need any hidden patition on Dell's HDD or any file (like a system image, I have seen Dells having those on a normal D:, not hidden at all).

 

I went thru this with the same SSD. Be sure to make a recovery disk with the original SSD before cloning. Then clone it. Replace the HDD with the SSD. If windows does not boot, reboot from the recovery disk, and fix the mbr. Done.

 

I think i'll go ahead and just make a fresh install on the SSD, then back up the HDD and wipe it and use it purely for storage.

I'll clearly have to install a butt load of drivers and updates but what is the best way of knowing what i should download prior to the whole process? or am i fine to get them all once i'm up and running?