New SSD - Clean install or Restore Image?

Hello all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am set to receive my x220T sometime next week. It is a multitouch, i5, 4gb ram(set for 8gb upgrade) with a 160gb ssd. In my haste I purchased a Samsung 470 256gb SSD on ebay (the 7mm version) which has more storage and slightly faster write time. I had considered going with the 160gb SSD and a 128gb mSata but I am planning on just using the Samsung 470 as it uses less power overall and battery life is somewhat important to me. I plan on selling the 160gb on eBay and should break even or thereabouts.

So here is the problem. Should I do a Thinkpad Restore and just transfer the original install from the 160gb over to the 256gb or should I do a fresh install?

Issues that I am concerned about are:

Will the image transfer mean that I will have the partitions from the 160gb drive on my 256gb drive? Or can I expand the main partition to include the extra storage space I will have?

I have plenty of external storage options with which I can put any restoration type data on. Can I forgo having the restore data take up room on my precious SSD and just keep it on an external HDD?

If I elect to do a fresh reinstall what issues are there related to my Windows key? I know I can get a program to extract my current key but do I need to call Microsoft to reset the key?

Are there any tips and tricks or advantages and disadvantages to doing a fresh install?
I have read through this link Windows 7 Clean Installation - ThinkPad T420, T420s, T520, W520, X220 and X220 Tablet and I know that I have to do an SP1 install before the HD3000 drivers.

What are your thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks,
Recid

 

You have two ways to approach this, the quickest is using the ThinkPad Recovery Discs which will restore the factory image directly on to your new SSD. The recovery discs are SSD aware so it will align the drive image correctly for you.

The other method is doing a full clean install, you will need to keep a copy of drivers with you (most of them is in the "C:\SWTOOLS\Drivers" folder) which you can copy on to an USB pen drive to save time. Even though my clean install guide is for the T420 you can apply it for your system since the principles for this method of installation are the same.

 

Eh. I'd just restore. You can/should uninstall some of the corporate software that comes with the preload or the ThinkVantage tools you don't need/want to lighten it.

 

i have a similar question as the OP.

i have a windows 7 64 disc i want to install on a new SSD but dont have a windows key.

whats the best way of getting the key from my current setup so i can activate windows? there is no key on the bottom of the T410s and there is a shortened version of some OEM key within system properties.

if its too much trouble i'll just run the recovery discs, but would prefer a custom install.

 

This worked for me with Win7 Home Premium on my Gateway laptop when I installed SSD on it.

ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us

 

@MaX PL

One used to be able to able to get from the Registry in Win XP. I don't know of any way that you can get from a Win 7 installation.

I plan to install a new mSata SSD and I will be using the Windows Backup (after installing Win 7) or Recovery Disks (that I've created). I don't like to do clean/custom installs because these laptops require so many drivers. I used to always do clean installs on PCs.

EDIT: ekam posted just before me. Haven't heard of ABR but seems like it's worth trying.

EDIT 2: I just tried it and it worked! It successfully extracted the Windows key off my desktop PC.

 

cool. will give that a try.

if it doesnt work i'll just run the recovery disks, but, and to respond to the other poster, i'd prefer not to as they take like 3 times longer to install.

 

Thanks so much Hearst. That guide is just what I was after.

After reading your guide my plan is to make some recovery disks then do a clean install on the new HDD as per your guide. Should that mess up I can just use the recovery disk or put the old HDD back in.

One question still remains. That is do I need to get Microsoft to reset my windows key or does the fact that it is the same computer with the same M/B serial etc make that unnecessary?

Also, is there a guide on how and what to strip down from the standard Win7 64bit version to minimise the room it takes up? SSD space is precious.

 

I go with the factory restore disks created from the restore portion. if something went horribly wrong, I'd like to have the ability to completely restore everything back to factory setting by simply pressing the ThinkVantage button at start up.

 

Clean install is the best if you know what you are doing. Just make sure that you do not delete the factory recovery partition.

You can use windows 7 64 home premium disc or download (links are in the forums here), to do a clean install. Use the key that is on the sticker of your notebook. The only thing you have to do to activate it, is call the phone number that is given during the activation process and follow the instructions. It is all free, automated and takes about 5 minutes.

 

Cheers SeaBass

I ended up doing a Recovery which was very painless indeed. It did leave me with a bit of bloatware which I think I have got rid of by now. The PC is running smooth as a button and I am now messing around with 3rd party software for tablet input etc.

Next time around I will do a clean install though. I have done it many times and there isnt that much Lenovo software that I actually use.

Thanks again for all the advice.

R