15" Envy 3xxx - Replacing Optical Drive with SSD

Putting this thread here to limit discussion to the topic. Will be doing this myself, so Im hoping people who have already done this sees it, and offers links or advice.

I will keep it updated as well, as go through the process myself.


After getting my laptop today and getting it up and running, I will be finding exactly what I need (caddy, adapters, etc) and ordering my SSD. Likely the 128gb Samsung 830. I will be putting windows on it, then installing it in place of my 750gb HDD that is coming installed on my laptop, and putting the HDD in place of the optical DVD-R drive.

Then I will decide between buying a new external DVD-RW drive, External Blu-ray, or just a caddy for the uninstalled optical drive that comes with the laptop.

Please feel free to post any links/advice here. Ill try to keep the first post updated with links and guides

*Would like to know:

If there is a certain type of SSD I need?
Exactly what to do to get Windows on it, if not using the HP recovery disc?
Will my system still run windows off the SSD, and automatically pull the other programs off the other drive? etc

 

1) I think any SATA III SSD should be fine. They are all the same size these days.

2) You probably can use the HP Recovery Discs by connecting a DVD Drive via USB, but I would rather suggest using a clean copy of Windows 7 so there is no bloatware. Just be sure to copy all the SWSetup folder drivers over to a flash drive.

3) If you are getting 128 GB, that should be more than enough for OS + Programs. Use your HDD for storing files and multimedia. You can install programs to the other drive as well just by changing the default location during installation, but keep programs on the SSD unless you are running out of space.

 

I'm curious to know if you managed to swap the DVD drive with the HDD. I have an Envy 15 3040 and I'm thinking on doing the same as I don't really use the DVD drive at all, and my 256GB SSD can't hold all my stuff...

 

I have a 15-1050nr so I can't speak for the 3XXX models. I've just installed an OCZ AG3T-s5sat3-256G which is sata3 but the system is sata2. The system had no problem with the drive and Win 7 Pro X64 is showing a 7.7 on the exp scale. I've been using ocz for some time now and this drive was $180 @ Newegg. My win 7 install was clean, the only driver I had to load was video. One problem I am having is that in addition to the SSD I installed 16GB but Win is only using 8gb. I've found out that the bois is most likely the culprit but I can't access the advanced menu. Just joined the forum so I'm off to search for a solution, I've had one person point me here specifically for the bios issue. If you can point me to an area of talk I'd appreciate it.

~NC