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    Plan to upgrade to SSD later and make HDD external?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Gail_Wiht, May 19, 2012.

  1. Gail_Wiht

    Gail_Wiht Newbie

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    I'd like to know if this plan is workable, if there are any complications I might run into.

    I want an SSD but their $ per GB ratio isn't attractive enough yet. I plan to order the Envy 15-3000 with the standard 750GB HDD and immediately reinstall the OS with the backup CD to get rid of bloatware. I'll wait until I can afford a reasonably sized SSD and then upgrade. I'll use the backup CD to install the OS on the SSD and put the old HDD in a case to turn it into an external HDD to have my system backed up on, plus more space than I'll probably ever use for pics, videos and music. I've heard of moving the HDD to the CD drive since it will fit there and having both an HDD and and SSD on-board, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my CD drive for that. On a side-note, has anyone been able to upgrade to a blue-ray drive? Will it fit the Envy 15?
     
    Gail_Wiht, May 19, 2012
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  2. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    Nothing wrong with your plan there that I see.

    I wouldn't know about the blu-ray, but if the machine in question takes a normal slim form factor SATA ODD, which is likely, you should be able to do it.
     
    madmattd, May 21, 2012
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  3. npaladin2000

    npaladin2000 LOAD "*",8,1

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    I'm pretty sure on HP consumer models the "bloat" is built in to the "backup" discs. They're not Windows install discs, they're system restore discs.
     
    npaladin2000, May 21, 2012
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  4. ssri

    ssri Notebook Evangelist

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    Now HP offers a minimal install option with their system restore. So, only drivers and HP software will be installed.
     
    ssri, May 21, 2012
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  5. Abidderman

    Abidderman Notebook Deity

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    Unless you use the CD very often, I would get a cheap external or just get an external BR. Putting the HDD in the CD bay gives you the ability to get a 128GB or 256GB SSD for OS and most used programs,and you can use the HDD for data and backup. You won't notice a difference between external or internal BR or CD. I rarely use my ODD anyway,everything is digital and online, so using the SSD in the HDD bay, HDD in the ODD bay, (on a lot of lappys, the HDD bay is Sata 3 while the ODD bay is Sata 2). I have a ton of storage, and a built in backup, in addition to my external backup. My external ODD is rarely used, but so light that I can carry it in my bag if I ever need it.o advise putting your drivers on a USB and then doing a clean install. Just a different viewpoint.
     
    Abidderman, May 22, 2012
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