One last question... Will the Win 10 DVD format my new SSD? ...or will I have to use a bootable partitioning utility to format the SSD before I can install Win 10?
Scott, How are you planning to install Win10? UEFI or MBR mode? Either way you can choose the size of the OS partition.
Well, my failing 1TB HDD has been operating in UEFI mode ever since the laptop was new. Now that I'll be replacing it with a 500GB SSD is there any reason for me to consider using MBR mode? Either way, I wasn't planning to partition the 500GB SSD into multiple volumes!
Scott, UEFI is fine. I'd only suggest MBR if you were going to multi-boot multiple OS. I prefer to store data files outside of the OS partition so I have a dedicated data partition.
As long as one has a proper backup plan I don't see how a dedicated data partition provides any benefit. Whereas with a single partition I don't have to guess the size I should allocate for OS and data partitions ....it's all dynamic!
Scott, Backup methods are personal and separating data from the OS files suits me. I have about 30 GB of Used Space in my OS partition so backup images and restores take less than 2 minutes. My data partition contains 500 GB of Used Space and is backed up with data software and isn't imaged. I restore OS images frequently and restoring 530 GB of Used Space wouldn't suit me.
Kind of unrelated but if no one minds... I'm keen to replace the HDD in my new machine with my spare SSD but I've come across a sticker. My take on this sticker is that by breaking the seal I agree my machine was working properly beforehand and the replaced drive will not be covered by HP warranty. If I need support for my new machine I will need to install the original drive. Any damage resulting from installing my SSD to other components will void my warrranty. Does that sound about right? Will replacing the HDD with my SSD and doing a clean Win10 install (potentially) void my warranty?
If you are doing something wrong with the exchange of your HDD->SSD and it then can't detect any medium to boot from, they can claim it was your fault. But, it depends: Maybe it's better to contact HP to find out how they will handle this.
Brian, I fully understand where you are coming from - backup methods certainly are a matter of personal needs. While I always appreciate your knowledgeable advice, in this case I find it more convenient to perform a daily image backup of just one partition (containing OS, programs, and my data). Thanks and happy new year!
I've just spoke to HP and this is pretty much what they said, so I can replace the drive but at my own risk. IF the SSD causes damage it won't be covered by HP warranty, and of course the SSD itself will not be covered. My next question is, how likely is an SSD to cause other damage?
Krusty, since the SSD is replacing an HDD, it is most likely an encased 2.5" SSD. Encased HDDs & SSDs are considered 'user replaceable parts' whereas 'm' (bare circuit) SSDs are most often not considered to be user-replaceable. So in your case I wouldn't be concerned about invalidating your warranty. And (imho) the likelihood of the SSD causing peripheral damage is minimal as long as all power is removed prior to the HDD removal and SSD installation.
In case you didn't know after unplugging & removing the battery press the power button for 30-60 seconds to drain all residual power.
Hi Wendi, That is pretty much as I suspected and thanks for confirming. There was a place on the tray next to the original HDD to attach my SSD so I left the HDD in place and just unplugged it and plugged the SSD in. With a clean Win10 install the machine is running great. Hi zapjb, Yep, I did that after I unplugged the power lead and before I opened the case. Thank you.
Hi Scott, The SSD came from my now deceased laptop and no. When I first installed the SSD in the laptop I booted to the bios to make sure it was recognised, then did a clean Windows 10 install. That was just over 12 months ago now but I'm sure it was already formatted ready for use.
My mistake, I thought it was a new SSD. I was just wondering if intialization is necessary when installing a new SSD.
As I said though, I'm sure they come formatted and ready for use. I've replaced the HDD with SSDs in four machines now and haven't had to do anything other than install Windows.
Assuming you're going to do a clean install of Windows on it, you don't need to do anything. Windows will format the drive when you install it.
Hi Brian, Considering that Scott is content with replacing a larger (1TB) HDD with a smaller (500GB) SSD wouldn't Legacy-BIOS mode be preferable over UEFI? It seems to me that by enabling Legacy-BIOS mode he stands to save the 500MB (give or take) that UEFI mode would consume for 'its dedicated partitions' (afaik he doesn't compromise anything by enabling Legacy-BIOS mode) - not so? Happy New Year, Cruise
When compared to Legacy BIOS systems, UEFI systems boast faster boot and shutdown times as well as additional security. I don't argue UEFI's security advantages. On the other hand, the few UEFI systems that I've had my hands on seemed to boot and shutdown rather slowly! Then again, they were HDD systems and I never examined any of their settings.
Cruise, The MSR is 16 MiB and the ESP is 100 MiB. There is also a 450 MiB Recovery partition. With a MBR install the booting files and Recovery files would be in the OS partition (the way I do an install) so data wise, there isn't much difference.
JoAnn, that's a very interesting observation, but I can't help but wonder if that's generally the case?
