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    How? New SSD - clean windows install w/preloaded OS

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by kwhit, Oct 2, 2011.

  1. kwhit

    kwhit Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, I've got a SSD (Kingston SSDNow V+100 96GB) to install in a lenovo z370. I removed the original HD, then realized I probably should figure out how to do this on the software end before I get too far on the hardware end.
    The laptop came preloaded with Win7-64.
    I do have a set of upgrade disks for Win7-64 if that makes it easier.

    Thanks!
     
    kwhit, Oct 2, 2011
    #1
  2. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    You can either clone it or do a clean install.

    It'd be best to do a clean install so that Windows may optimize your SSD.
     
    V_Chip, Oct 2, 2011
    #2
  3. kwhit

    kwhit Notebook Enthusiast

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    DOH! Sorry-I didn't make my question very clear. I definitely want to do a clean install!
    My machine came preloaded with win7, so I never got the disks. The rescue disks would have the crapware on them!
    Can I do a clean install to a blank drive using the upgrade disks?
    Thanks!
     
    kwhit, Oct 3, 2011
    #3
  4. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Download the version of Windows you have installed. Burn to DVD or USB to install.

    Use the COA on the notebook to activate Windows.

    Good luck.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Oct 3, 2011
    #4
  5. maximinimaus

    maximinimaus Notebook Evangelist

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    You can also save your current activation files with ABRBETA and subsequently restore it after the installation.
     
    maximinimaus, Oct 3, 2011
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  6. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    V_Chip, Oct 3, 2011
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  7. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    ABRBeta + V Chip's links. That's what i did when i switched to my M4, it took a whopping 15mins to get windows installed on the SSD from the USB drive. After that install your drivers, office programs and make a system image. Your drivers will also install ridiculously fast :D.
     
    tijo, Oct 3, 2011
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  8. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    tilleroftheearth, Oct 3, 2011
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  9. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Yeah the official MS tool is idiot proof, not implying that anyone is an idiot, only that even one could use it.
     
    tijo, Oct 3, 2011
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  10. kwhit

    kwhit Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wow, this is like so 21st century. The USB boot drive (which was in V-Chip's link as well) worked like a charm and windows loaded much, much faster than I am used to! Plus, I'll have it for the next time!
    Thanks!
     
    kwhit, Oct 3, 2011
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  11. kwhit

    kwhit Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, I don't consider myself an idiot, but I can't say I've never done anything idiotic...But that was years ago! :rolleyes:

    Seriously, the MS tool is definitely the trick and companies really should start selling larger software packages on USB sticks!
     
    kwhit, Oct 3, 2011
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  12. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    I found it insanely easy. Most of the other options require a few steps, the MS tool is click-and-go!

    I and many others think that soon enough CD/DVDs will die out like floppies and the replacement will likely be thumb drives. They're getting cheap enough it probably isn't too far out (I remember my first thumbdrive in 2004: 256MB, ran $60...now you can get 16GB for $15...)
     
    madmattd, Oct 3, 2011
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  13. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    I remember those days.

    Cisco USB flash drive - 128 MB
     
    V_Chip, Oct 3, 2011
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  14. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Yeah, we'll probably see thumb drives and downloads replace dvds. I remember when we were still using floppy discs. Well the 3.25" ones, not old enough to have used the older formats. Heck, CD burners used to cost hundreds of $ back then. I stil have an old Kingston 256MB and it's at least twice as big as my 8GB ;).
     
    tijo, Oct 3, 2011
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  15. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    O yea, 5" floppies, those things were awesome! Note I'm not really old enough for those, but as a real youngster up my parents kept a couple of aging Apple IIe's floating around that I played snakebyte and space invaders on :D Loved those giant floppies!

    I still have that 256MB drive, it isn't really much bigger than what you find today, but I think I might have finally killed it...it no longer will read on my computers :(
     
    madmattd, Oct 4, 2011
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  16. xault

    xault Notebook Consultant

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    I prefer to use a DVD for burning a windows iso. I have USB flash drives...but I use them too frequently to take up one just to be a bootable flash drive. Plus, the DVD is basically like having a retail windows DVD.
     
    xault, Oct 4, 2011
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  17. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    I have a 2GB flash for DOS boot, a 4GB for my windows 7 installer, one 8GB for data and another 8GB for whatever else i may need. I do use CDs for some ISOs though.
     
    tijo, Oct 4, 2011
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  18. kwhit

    kwhit Notebook Enthusiast

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    The only advantage I can see to the DVD is it costs less than the flash drive. Having true retail windows DVD had no advantage over a flash drive that I can think of.

    For me, if I figure I will save 20 minutes each time (I did not time, this is guessing from memory). I might not pay $10 for a jump drive to save 20 minutes one time, but as soon as I use it the second time, it is paid for. That does not consider the time originally saved by writing the OS install to jump drive vs. DVD.
    Different strokes for different folks, but wanted to make sure you consider what your time is worth.
     
    kwhit, Oct 5, 2011
    #18