Literally for dummies, not that we are.
Firstly, why SSD and not just replace it with the same Hard Drive type? SSD is actually a data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data. Hence, SSDs contains no actual "disks" nor motors that will wear out over time from so many Read/Write during operation and has faster data transfer rates.
After 7 years, my DELL Inspiron 1520 is probably the longest and most lasting Laptop. See? It's a Laptop and not a Notebook, but I won't delve any deeper into mobile computing history. It's more interesting to learn how simple it is to replace the Hard Disk, right?
Here goes,
Common signals that your old RPM Hard Drive is about to fail when you get the Blue Screen hard disk error message (the more frequent in-between, the closer it is to its demise) and/or when the sweet sound it used to make while spinning internally has developed into something louder as noise!
When I encountered the said signals, the first thing I thought was to replace it with the latest in storage drive technology, the Solid State Drive or SSD in short. As we all know, the better it is (say storage), the higher cost it is to buy.
The Inspiron 1520 I have came standard with a 60GB RPM Hard Drive. Before I went out and actually bought a SSD - I unscrewed the screws to the Hard Drive slot and removed it so that I could verify the connector type on this drive before I plugged it back in.
Once I verified that it was the same as the SATA connector of the SSD, I went ahead and got one from the 2nd most expensive IT retailer in Malaysia, namely Thunder Match Technology. SO BEFORE YOU BUY A SSD, DO CHECK AROUND.
Since the original Inspiron 1520 Hard Drive is a 60GB dinosaur, I went ahead and got myself a 128GB Ultra Sandisk SSD.
I wanted the entire old Hard Drive contents replicated on the SSD so that it would work the same (bootable) once plugged in and used the Acronis True Image Backup software for this purpose to backup the old Hard Drive into an extra 500GB USB Samsung External Drive*.
* Acronis was chosen for their easy step by step options while the external drive was used because the old drive simply did not have sufficient space for the backup.
It took me nearly an hour to fully backup the old drive. Once that was over, I used the Acronis software to "restore" the backup into the new SSD drive which took slightly over 30 minutes to complete. Then I removed the old drive and plugged in the SSD.
I press the Power Button and Voila it works!
Step by Step Walk-through:
1. Power down Laptop, shutdown.
2. Remove battery and plug from power adapter.
3. Perform a Static Discharge as a safety precaution by press holding Power Button for 10 seconds.
4. Remove screws locking the Hard Drive (I removed the 4 screws as marked).
5. Gently pull out the Hard Drive.
6. Verify the SATA connector to be the same as that of the SSD.
7. Gently return the Hard Drive back to its slot, making sure it goes in all the way and connects properly.
8. Return battery and plug from power adapter.
9. Plug in USB External Drive to free USB port.
10. Plug in SSD with USB-SATA converter to free USB port.
11. Power up Laptop, press Power Button.
12. After Windows loads up, select Acronis True Image from desktop (first you have to download it).
13. Select the easy to understand options in Acronis to backup your old Hard Drive (refer to their guide if unsure). Also ensure Antivirus is off and all other applications are closed before backup.
14. Once backup is complete, use the Restore option to "restore" the backup to the SSD (again, refer to their guide if unsure).
15. Once restore is complete, exit Acronis and perform Windows shutdown.
16. Unplug the external Hard Drive and SSD.
17. Repeat Steps 2-5.
18. Unscrew the old Hard Drive from plastic slot cover.
19. Remove the USB-SATA adapter from the SSD.
20. Screw the plastic slot cover to the SSD (same as how it was previously attached to the old Hard Drive).
19. Repeat Steps 7-8
20. Secure the "Hard Disk" SSD in its slot with the screws removed earlier in Step 4.
21. Power up Laptop, press Power Button.
22. Need there be a Step 22?
By the way, I went through all these steps because I didn't want the hassle of digging up the installation disks for all the various loaded programs or copying data -- some of you may shorten the process by doing a clean install of everything.
Cons: Antivirus now doesn't work and I had to reinstall.
Pros: Overall system speed improved.
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