Question: upgrading to SSD and Windows 7

[Xenos]

Gentlemen/Ladies
I am currently running a 300GB velociraptor which has my OS (XP pro) and other applications etc. It is presently using 103GB and still has 175GB free space available. I want to upgrade my hard drive to an SSD, perhaps 128GB or 256GB Crucial Real 300 (depending on how far the funds will stretch).

My question is; how can I copy the entire velociraptor to the SSD and then upgrade the OS from XP pro to Windows 7 in order to achieve SSD performance while retaining all my applications, files, etc. Is this at all possible? I am hoping to avoid loading the 7 on to the new SSD and then having to copy everything over from the velociraptor.

Any and all info will be much appreciated.

 

[FishAk]

I'm pretty sure there is no way to move from XP to W7 without a fresh install- and reinstalling all your Apps.

 

[Emulex]

yeah you'll find alot of apps that worked in XP no longer function in windows 7.

So it's an expensive proposition. why not just build a new pc when you are ready for win7 and rock the XP with the SSD. it will be just as fast (or faster)

 

[biostud]

XP -> win7 = fresh install of software

 

[Xenos]

Thanks guys, think I should take emulex's advice and hold off on the W7 for now. Also am wondering if I could just copy the OS and some essentials to the SSD and leave everything else on the velociraptor, then having booted from the SSD, just go back and delete the OS from the velociraptor and continue to use it for ordinary storage. This way the 128GB SSD could easily suffice. Would this plan work? Any further advice please?

 

[Emulex]

why don't you use windirstat and clean up your mess and put things you cannot afford to lose on an external drive - remember not all 128gb are the same. some have 120gb and some have 110gb formatted.

Maybe you should trade your velociraptor in for a nice 1-2TB drive - it's noisy and quite honestly not the best investment. the enterprise edition do make good boot drives for 2.5" SFF servers - (Enterprise velociraptors only come in 2.5" no heatsink of course)

 

[Xenos]

Actually, I have a 1.5TB baracuda sitting here in my office still untouched. Was planning on integrating it into my system sometime. This then could be the time since I am upgrading boot drive to SSD. So if I get you correctly, you are suggesting I copy the OS and essentials on to the SSD and copy the remainder to the baracuda, ditching the velociraptor all together. But the windirstat is strange to me, never heard of it, will have to research it. Am assuming it should help me get all this done without too many problems.

Another thing, am seeing the Intel 120Gb SSD is causing quite a stir. Think that would be a good one to go for?

 

[Termie]

Cloning an OS to an SSD is NOT recommended. The SSD functions differently than the hard drive and you might run into problems. Also, you're talking about cloning XP, which really isn't optimized for SSDs.

All this being said, Microsoft does offer an application that allows you to copy the data you have (not apps though), and then migrate them to the new drive (an SSD for instance) once you've done a clean install of W7. Here's the link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer. If you're an experienced computer user, you can probably do this without any help, but it's all Microsoft can offer in regard to an XP to W7 upgrade. Microsoft explains here that you have to do a clean install to do an "upgrade": http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7. It really isn't an upgrade at all...it's just you installing a new OS!

 

[Emulex]

you will find the 120gb tight on space. just do the 160gb and be done. remember price drops are imminent again.

 

[Voo]

In theory as long as you stay with the same version (32/64bit) you could upgrade from XP to Vista and from Vista to 7, but honestly one new install every decade really isn't that much work and you get a nice and clean new image.

You'll probably have to clean up the C: dir anyhow most probably and since I can't imagine that you use XP 64bit, you'd end up with Win7 32bit which really isn't a good idea.

 

[Xenos]

Thanks guys. The picture is becoming more clear. Think I can formulate a good workable plan from here on in.