HDD to SSD on laptop

S

Sari95

New Member
Hi! I recently bough this computer: http://cdon.no/elektronikk/msi_ge620dx-805ne_intel_i7-2670_8gb_750gb_w7hp_15.6_gt635_2gb-17803329

The harddrive is 750gb consisting of one 500gb HDD and one 250gb HDD. I want to install an SSD, but I am a real noob when it comes to that. How should I go forth in order to install an SSD? I don't really know which questions to ask, but I'd like all the information considerings this. Which type to buy, how many gbs are recommended, do I need any special equipment uhm.. yeah.. any info regarding this matter would be great xD

I've also noticed that people on forums talk about RAID0 and RAID1, what are these and how does it matter when it comes to installing a SSD?

I'd like to keep my HDDs and simply install a SSD. Is this possible or aren't there enough space?

Also what is important when buying a SSD? Please explain abbreviations and also what they do, so I don't become confused :D

Regards, Sari
 
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are you sure that you laptop has 2 hdd as i htink the comp in the link shows only one hdd. unless you are really anoyed with boot up times and start up times for programs then i would stay with the hdds as ssds are still exspencive. you wont need to have any special equpiment. all you will need is a small philips head. if you do go ahead and get one i would get a 240gb one, someone else will come in with what they think is the best one as i have no experience with them i don't feel comfortable suggesting one. there is on need for raid as an ssd with be so much quicker than your current setup you will be blown away with its stock speeds. there will be no space to just put the ssd in as it is a laptop and they always use all the space. you will want to find a ssd with a sandforse controller.
 
I don't really know, but "My Computer" shows me 2 HDDs. I've checked with the manufacturer and confirmed that it does not have space for an additional SSD. However, I've searched the internet and seen several videos where the CD/DVD-ROMS are taken out and replaced with a bracket, which a SSD can be mounted, don't really know what it is called.

How does this work? How hard is it to do this?

I live in Norway and I've tried to search the norwegian websites for that kind of bracket, without any luck. Any suggestions for where I could get this type of bracket? I am thinking about eBay, but I have no experience buying products from them... so are they reliable?
 
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The reason you are seeing 2 "HDD"s in the my computer page is because you have a factory restore partition.

As for the media bay slot, you will have to see if they make them for your laptop. They work well when you can get them, but you do not want to put your SSD on it. You will take the HDD out and put it in there, and put the SSD where the HDD was. this will give the best performance.
 
Ah, I understand. Hmm, does it have to be made specifically for my computer? Aren't there media bays that work with any computer?
 
Well, if you have a 750 gb drive and its broken down into 2 partitions - a 500 and a 250. Recovery partitions are usually less then 10-15gb and are usually hidden from the system. Most likely the 250 was partitioned for OS and applications and the 500 is to be used for personal data. Definately not the norm to come from the manufacturer like that. The only way to use an SSD drive would be to take out this drive and put it in an external case and use it as an external drive then install the SSD and install windows to it.
 
Sari95 said:
Ah, I understand. Hmm, does it have to be made specifically for my computer? Aren't there media bays that work with any computer?
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It has to go to your computer. They are not interchangable. One from a T60 won't work on a M90. one from an M90 won't work in a D630. and one from a D630 won't work in a E6400.
 
Yes, it is broken into 2 partitions: 1 of 409 GB called OS_Install and 2. of 273 GB called "Data". However, this does not matter to my case. The only way I would go for SSD is if I can keep my HDDs. My only option is to get my hands on a media bay bracket with space for an SSD or HDD, because, as wolfeking said, the SSD gives best performance when placed at the same place as the HDD.

So my questions are: Where could I order a media bay bracket for my MSI GE620DX? Does it work with a bracket made to work with most computers, or will it look ugly? If I decide to take out my HDD and place it in a bracket: is it the same procedure as with an SSD or a different one?
 
All right, think I'll go for your solution, wolfe. It seems the most reliable and easy :D

Thanks for the help! :)
 
okay, to use that you are going to need a USB optical drive if you still need the DVD drive.

And as far as install, you will remove your hard drive, and replace t with the SSD. Then boot to the windows disk and install. Once the install is complete, you should be able to power it off, remove the battery and the optical drive, install your HDD to the bay device and replace the DVD drive with it. On reboot you will have windows on your SSD and can format the windows boot partition on the HDD to avoid issues. Just format it and expand your current Data partition to take up the whole drive.
 
Ah, firstly, what exactly do I need? Could you just list that up? Consider that I don't have anything right now, no bracket or anything.

Could you also list up the instructions point by point, so it will be easier to follow and execute :)?
 
Okay, I am not 100% on your particular laptop, but you will need a screwdriver, the ssd, a windows install disk, and the mediabay drive.

There is a guide on the forums here to tell u how to set up the ssd. Otherwise I will be of more help this evening after school.
 
I don't have any pressure :) I am probably not going to do anything about this before next week, so take your time! :D
 
I wouldn't say so, because I opened the case in 5 mins and from my point of view there are only 4 screws that is holding the HDD in place.
 
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