Even if you've installed extra memory in your PC or notebook, the thought of installing your own SSD drive may seem daunting. But rest assured, it's not hard to upgrade from hard disk drive to solid state drive. And recent price drops make top-performing, consumer-class SSD drives even more attractive to mainstream users. This is just how simple an SSD upgrade can be!
Before you swap out your drives, you'll want to move all the stuff on your hard drive to your new SSD. You can easily make an exact copy of the entire content of your computer's hard drive by using cloning software. If you choose not to clone your drive, you will need to re-install all your software programs, settings, etc.
Follow these steps to clone your hard drive:
- Turn off your computer.
- Connect the new solid-state drive to the SATA wire and connect the SATA Wire to your computer's USB port. Insert the Upgrade Suite CD into your CD-ROM drive.
- Turn on your computer. Your computer should boot from the CD and start the cloning software. Setup screen will pop up.
- Click Install.
Now that your contents have been copied over to your new SSD, it's time to install it.
You'll need:
- Your new SSD
- Your notebook computer and user manual
- A Phillips screwdriver
- A version of your operating system (OS)
Follow these steps to install your SSD:
- First, turn off the notebook power and disconnect all notebook power cables.
- Next, carefully remove the notebook battery and locate the hard drive panel on the bottom of your notebook. You may want to refer to your user manual to do this.
- Once you locate the hard drive panel, unscrew and remove. If you see a tab on the existing hard drive, gently pull it up and then to the outside to remove the hard drive from the bay.
- Likewise, if you see a proprietary connector or spacer bracket attached to your existing hard drive, remove it and set it aside.
Now that you've removed the hard drive, it's time to install the new SSD.
- Remove the SSD from its packaging and attach the connector or spacer bracket you removed from the hard drive. This will help the SSD fit securely in the drive bay.
- Align the SATA connector pins on the SSD with the SAT connector in the drive bay, and slide the SSD firmly against the SATA connectors in the drive bay. Make sure there is no space where the SATA connection and the SSD align.
- Reattach the hard drive panel and screws. Then reinstall the battery, reattach the power cables, and turn your notebook power on.
- Finally, if you are using your SSD as your primary storage drive, load your operating system. For specific information, refer to your OS user manual.