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21117
January 2nd, 2011 23:00
How to move XPS OS to new SSD?
I have a new Dell XPS laptop that I bought with Windows 7 Ultimate and a single, 650gb spinner.
I bought a 120gb Vertex 2 that I want to transfer the image to.
The first thing I did after turning the machine on was to create a set recovery disks using the Dell Data Safe utility.
I would like to preserve the recovery partition and also the OEM partition since it has the Dell boot utilities. Also, Dell does not ship the Windows 7 disk with the machine, so a clean load of the OS is not an option.
Is it possible to install the 120gb Vertex 2 and then use the recovery disks to load the image from the 650gb factory HDD?
I have also downloaded the 30 day trial version of Acronis which I can use if necessary.
Any suggestions as to how to get the Vertex 2 installed and running in my machine would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
ejn63
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January 3rd, 2011 05:00
The trial version of Acronis must be installed under Windows to do the job - you can't use it to boot from a CD/DVD. Purchase a copy of Acronis, make the boot disc, and you'll be able to clone the existing drive.
If you want to use the trial version, install it, make an image to the external drive, and install the internal. Then install Windows on the internal SSD, install Acronis and restore the image.
supermec
2 Posts
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January 10th, 2011 18:00
Have you got any succes or useful replies?
I'm really tempted to head this way (install a SSD) and move the OS on it while keeping my 650 gb for data. I'm thinking about using Dell Datasafe backup disk
I have a XPS 17 laptop too. I'm thinking about getting a Corsair or Intel SSD though.
MEC
Edrunci
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January 11th, 2011 19:00
In the end I took the easy way out. I say easy.... but it wasn't without it's challenges.
I decided to do a clean install instead of a restore. The problem with the Datasafe backup is two fold;
First, the partitions it tries to restore from the 650gb factory supplied disk won't fit on a 120gb SSD. You can shrink them before you create the restore disks but it's a bit of a hassle. Try it and you'll see what I mean. You'll need Partition Magic or another 3rd party application to do it.
Second, the SSD partition allignment problem. (Google this if you're not up to speed on it. It will affect your SSD performance.)
Anyway, I received my XPS when I was home and brought it back with me along with my new Vertex 2 120gb SSD to Saudi Arabia, where I work.
Dell does not provide a Windows 7 disk with the machine. The Support person I spoke to proudly announced that it was part of Dell's MRI (Media Reduction Initiative) program. Bravo Dell.... but what about us poor customers who paid you for the software loaded on our machines? Are we to be eternally tethered to your Support group when we need to reload a piece of software we paid you for?
I borrowed a Windows 7 Ult. 64bit disk from a co-worker and installed Windows using the software key that came with the machine. No problems here. I have learned that Dell will furnish the Windows 7 disk upon request. There is a form online or you can call Support and request it. They will mail it to you. The rumor I've heard is that in the future Dell plans to offer the media as a $15 option at the time you place your order. !?
Then I went to re-install applications that were furnished with the machine;
Data safe local backup was not furnished on the Drivers and Utilities disk. Got help downloading from Dell support but could not install it. I think this is because the "Restore" partition that was on the original HDD does not exist on the SSD. Not a big deal actually. There are better backup programs available and some are free.
Power DVD 9.6 was not furnished on CD with the machine. Dell Support claims they cannot download it to my machine because they don't partner with the company that makes it. It is supplied by the manufacturer of the optical drive (whom they do partner with). They sent a copy of the CD to my house but I'm in Saudi. The solution they offered was for me to download the 15 day, trial version from the Power DVD website until I can pick up the CD.
Dell-Download-Flag. Support tells me I'm out of luck on this one. It's only available as a factory supplied item. No download, no disk available.
Also, when you create your Dell support account you supposedly get support tailored to the machine and options you bought. Not true. For example, the list of drivers associated with my Service Tag number is generic. Every driver for every possible configuration of XPS is in the list. It's up to you to figure out which one you need for each of the devices in your machine; ie video card, TV tuner, NIC, chipset driver, WiFi, etc. etc. etc.
So to close out this tale, I have my machine up and running and I love my SSD. My apps snap open the instant I click the icon. From the time I press the power button to the time the little swirly stops swirling is about 25 seconds. I have most of my apps re-loaded and all the ones that I consider critical. The disks are at my house and I'll pick them up on my next trip home.
PS. I kept the original 650gb Samsung disk that was supplied by Dell with all the original software on the shelf as a backup and bought a 500gb - 7200rpm Western Digital for my second drive.