I wrote this a LONG time ago, back in the days of Vista and Windows 7. Back then, Solid State Drives were new. They were a novelty. Now they are very simple to add to your system. You are most likely using one and you don’t even know it.
After spending about 3 weeks with Solid State Drives, Vista, and Windows 7, I have learned some truths. I think I have come to a set of truths that are valuable.
First, upgrading your operating system is a mistake. You should always install a new clean version of your operating system. Do this no matter what. You can find all the install codes you need for your software. You can figure out how to back up your data. A clean install just fixes a myriad of problems. It also resolves the sins that have built up over the life of your previous operating system lifetime.
I managed to get a good size solid state drive. I have learned that if you install your operating system correctly on the device, your system will run much better. This is true if you are running Windows 7. I believe putting an SSD on a Vista or XP system is not worthwhile. Windows 7 understands the devices and optimizes to use them. You should run Windows 7 to use an SSD.
Clone to a Solid State Drive
Cloning your disk to the SSD may sound interesting. Still, it is a bloody waste of your time. I ended up with a somewhat faster system. It was not as fast as when I reloaded the OS from scratch and loaded it onto a formatted SSD.
I am not sure what the lifetime of an SSD is, so you should have a reliable back up system for your important data (or better still have all your important data on a NAS or server elsewhere). This makes the system you are running on almost “disposable”, but it is much faster for now, and that is what you are looking for.
The system I upgraded was a POS HP Laptop, which was having no end of issues with Blue Screens of Death and overheating issues that seem to have subsided for now. As I have ranted previously HP laptops are not worth buying, and not worth buying at any price (I have had to replace 2 of them for my daughters), but if you stick an SSD in one, it might make it a bit more reliable (I we shall see).
All in all an interesting experiment, but if I had simply started from scratch as I was told to do by folks in the know, I wouldn’t have wasted 3 weeks the way I did.
Epilogue: I found the same thing out again, after replacing the HDD in a Dell Inspiron N5110, it ended up being better to start from scratch (again).
More on Solid State Drives
Embracing solid-state drives brings a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance computing experiences. One of the most notable advantages is the remarkable increase in data access speeds. SSDs utilize flash memory to store data, eliminating the mechanical components found in traditional HDDs. This design allows for near-instantaneous data retrieval, leading to faster boot times, quicker application launches, and overall improved system responsiveness. For professionals and enthusiasts alike, this means a more efficient workflow and a more enjoyable user experience.
Another joy of adopting SSDs is their durability and reliability. SSDs have no moving parts. This makes them less susceptible to physical damage from drops or shocks. They are ideal for mobile devices and laptops. Additionally, SSDs consume less power, contributing to longer battery life in portable devices. Their silent operation eliminates the noise associated with spinning disks, creating a quieter working environment. These attributes enhance the longevity of devices. They also provide peace of mind, knowing that data is stored securely and efficiently.
Oh, and YouTube is invaluable in these situations:
Photo by tor00722. Published on 29 July 2014 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net