Best Way to Put OS on SSD

Looks like dual drive DV7 w/factory SSD comes w/OS on HDD. So, what's best way to move OS to SSD?

I hear there is somewhere where you can make backup of the OS which comes installed. If so, where is it? How many discs required? Does it back up all necessary drivers for all hardware? Does restoring backup to the SSD also restore all the drivers?

Or is there a better way? I have Windows CD I can use, but I am concerned it might not install all the drivers for the fingerprint reader, sound, etc.

 

You create the backup using the HP recovery manager. It required two DVD-DL discs for me to create the recovery discs. The number if discs will depend on the media you use. All the recovery does is create discs that will restore the PC to its original state from the factory. Which means it should have all the drivers installed. As to restoring the backup to the SSD, it should work that way.

As long as you make a copy of the SWSETUP folder on the C:\ drive of the orginal HD you should have all the drivers/software that you need. I made a copy to a USB flash drive.

I had a licensed copy of Windows 7 Ultimate as well. So I used it to install the OS and installed all the necessary drivers and the programs I wanted from the SWSETUP folder. However, the first thing I did was create the recovery media as it would be the only way to get the laptop back to its original factory state.

To create the recovery discs just click Start--> and type Recovery. It should point you to the HP recovery program where you can create the discs.

 

You could also use Acronis Disk Director software to "clone" a freshly formatted "c:\" partition onto the SSD. Then designate it as the primary bootable partition.

Or it may be a better idea to put the OS bootable partition on the SSD as described above then swap the two drives. I have to wonder if the hardware is set to look for a bootable OS in that bay by default? Could it be changed in bios?

 

If the bay 0 disk is bootable it will boot that one first. I wonder if bay 0 is not bootable if it will then tray bay 1?

There is no option in the BIOS to choose which disk (though there should be). OEM BIOS's suck in my opinion. Just barebones and not even the most basic features.

 

OEM bios do suck, I agree.

Another option... but one that I honestly don't know if it would work right or not - just something that "seems" as if it might: would be to clone the recovery partition only (exactly as is name, letter and all) onto the SSD. Swap the SSD into bay 0 and run the HP recovery options during boot (F10 or F11 during post, I believe). See if the recovery center will format/install the unused space into the bootable/factory setup.

 

(Do not hold me responsible for this advice)

You can use a Linux Boot Disk such as Knoppix or Ubuntu to do this process. You would need to use GParted to resize the WIndows partition to wat you want it to be. Then you could use the DD Command from the terminal to transfer everything over.

I've used this process MANY MANY MANY times. It should keep activation and EVERYTHING. But the downside is it can take up to 6 hours. Heres the guide.

Copying Windows to a new drive, using linux - How-to/Guide