Sager NP8170 SSD Install with HDD backup

Hi all,

I just ordered a Sager NP8170 from XOTICPC. I choose the standard 500GB HDD for my primary with the intent to buy a Crucial M4 SSD 128 or 256 GB. I have not made the purchase yet, as I had a couple of questions on how to install the SSD. I am kind of a noob with this stuff so bear with me if I am not making sense.

I have not received my new laptop yet, so no installations have taken place. My question is:

Would it be easier to install the SSD prior to initially starting up my system, or should I go ahead and set everything up and make the transfer at a later date?

What do I need to do to make the SSD my primary drive with the 500GB HDD as my backup.

These may be too broad of questions, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

hi AU1217, congrats on your order!

It does depend if you got an OS with your order. If you do then it will already be installed on the HDD. If you didnt and planned on installing it on your own then it would be easier to put the SSD in first then installing Windows on there.

You just need to change the boot order in the BIOS to tell it to boot from the SSD first, then your HDD will automatically become a back up.

 

Great. Thanks for the response. I did order an OS, so I will go ahead and set that up first and then add the SSD. I will probably come back with additional questions when that time comes. Haha.

 

Installing a SSD is relatively straight forward.

1.)Make sure you have the latest Firmware for your drive. It's a lot easier to do it now. If you have must, take it to a friends' computer. If you need directions, let us know.

2.)Ensure that under the Advanced Settings page in your BIOS that the SATA controller is set to AHCI. (It should be already)

3.)Restart and go back into BIOS and set your Optical drive as the primary boot device. (You might be able to do both 2 and 3 in the same step, but changing the controller around might not allow you to do this.)

4.)Install windows.

5.)Enter BIOS again and change your boot priority to your SSD.

6.)Have fun.

 

If you already have the SSD, don't bother setting up Windows as it comes shipped on the machine. Install the SSD in the machine, then reinstall Windows to it (with the HDD as a secondary data drive) and format the original drive. You can clone the install from the HDD to the SSD if you had already set up and configured your machine, but it's recommended against. Windows does special configuration during install when it's detected on an SSD that helps to improve performance.

 

Malibal,

I would prefer to go ahead and install windows straight to my SSD if it is possible. I ordered a HDD with the machine and windows 7, so would it not already be pre-installed on the HDD? What would I need to do to install it straight to my SSD?

 

You will have Windows preinstalled on the HDD and will also get the Windows disc. You will want to do a clean install to the SSD
If you want to recover the space on the HDD from the Windows install you'll want to format the HDD.

 

if your lappy arrives earlier there's no reason not to install on the hdd so you could already check out your new toy.

you could have 2 installations as well if you want to and switch between the 2 in your bios, otherwise once your ssd arrives then plug it in, set up ahci in bios and install windows 7 on it which on it's own is pretty straight forward (you could also reformat your hdd during this time if you don't need any of the other stuff in it or if you only need 1 copy of windows).

there also won't be any problems on licensing since only 1 active windows will be running at a time and both are installed on the same machine