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SSD: Which method to install is best?
I am installing my first Samsung SSD in a new XPS 8700. It will be the boot drive for the Windows 7 OS and program applications. I have 3 options, and am trying to decide which route to go:
- Use the migration software that came with the SSD for a quick transfer. This apparently will not copy the Dell partition.
- Install from the Dell System Restore DVD's I made when I first ran the system. Does this restore the Dell partition as well, or just the OS?
- A new Windows 7 installation using the OS disk (which I have). No Dell partition with that method. Drivers would need to be installed. I have the Drivers disk from Dell (Rev. A00, dated April 2013), so I'm not sure how current the drivers are on there, but I can download newer ones. Would this method require special SATA drivers to be loaded during install?
And do I need to do any special partitioning? Thanks for any suggestions/comments.
gdonner
87 Posts
1
May 22nd, 2014 14:00
No special SATA drivers needed, and I would recommend going with option 3: the new Windows 7 install. Do download the latest 64-bit Win7 drivers from Dell's website, but I don't recommend updating the BIOS/UEFI to A06; stick with A03 if that's what you already have. You can use a free app like "Speccy" to see what you have (in the "motherboard" section). Also check to make sure you're running in "AHCI" mode (as opposed to "IDE") in the BIOS/UEFI.
If your 8700 has been running Windows 7, then nothing extra is needed beyond what's mentioned above. But if your XPS 8700 has been running Windows 8/8.1, you'll need to change some settings in the BIOS/UEFI before you can install Windows 7. If that's the case for you, here's how (search in-page for "XPS 8700"):
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=590895&DoNotRedirect=y
Lone Star
38 Posts
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May 22nd, 2014 15:00
This isn't a downgrade from Win 8. Just changing to SSD and sticking with Win 7. BIOS is already "legacy" AHCI and is v A07 (which is even newer than what is shown on the Dell website).
Thanks!