Question Adding SSD to an HP Desktop

[Mech20]

May I please get some advice/assistance on adding a SSD to a new computer.

This computer is new and has never been turned on. The SSD is brand new and never used.

Computer - Desktop: HP Pavilion 580-023w

Intel Core i5-7400
8GB DDR4-2400
1 TB HD
DVD Writer
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (3GB GDDR5

Windows 10 Home
(bundled w 30 Day McAfee & 12 Months Dropbox)

SSD: HP SSD M700 2.5"
I also bought a Bytecc mounting bracket for it.
I need to get a SATA cable

1. What do I do about the Win 10 Home OS already installed on the Desktop HD?

There's no CD that came with the computer. Also, I'm currently using Vista for my home computer so I'm not married to any modern OS to switch over to. If you have better options or thoughts then please share.

2. Where should I mount the SSD?

I'm pretty sure the best and perhaps only place is in the section above the HD, sitting on it's side. Does the mounting bracket need to be screwed into the case bracket? I'll need to screw some pilot holes into the SSD bracket as there aren't any holes where they would be mounted.

3. Where does the SATA cable go into the motherboard?

I think there are 3 SATA cable slots. I see one accepting the HD ("Dark Blue") and another accepting the DVD drive ("Light Blue"). There is an empty "white" one between those 2. Does that sound about right?

4. Does it matter which battery power cable to use on the SSD drive?

I think there are 2 available. P4 for one of them and I don't remember the label for the other.

I've got photos and can take any specifically if needed. Thanks for any help.

 

[taeioum]

Hey man, quite a couple questions, but I'll try to help as much as life will allow me.

1. You can simply delete the Windows folder on the HDD. To get Windows 10 on the new SSD, you would have to prepare a flash drive using something like the Windows Creation Tool (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209). You can boot from that flash drive, which will let you install Windows 10. I'd advise with waiting to delete Windows 10 off your HDD until the installation on the SSD has finished successfully completed and is functional. (Explanation: the Windows 10 serial with the system may detect that you've changed hardware, which might cause some trouble in accepting/validating your Windows serial. This should be easily fixable, worst case scenario you'll have to call an automated service and validate Windows manually).

2. You've bought a mounting bracket. Does that fit above/below your current HDD? If so, you'll probably have no other choice as to mounting it there, as prebuilt systems like these usually have proprietary cases. If it won't fit there, I doubt that there will be a position to mount this, unless you find one or two screwholes through which you can mount the SSD. SSDs have no moving parts, so don't necessarily have to be bolted down tight. You could even lay the SSD down somewhere in the system without even screwing it secure at all.

3. When it comes to connecting the SATA cable to the motherboard, it shouldn't really matter. I've yet to see a SATA port that will only work with an HDD/SSD/DVD drive. Plug it into the white like you said and test it. It should work just fine.

4. The SATA power (also incorrectly called Molex) cable shouldn't matter either. I'm assuming they're all in series anyway. (one cord with all SATA power connected).

I hope all this won't give you too much trouble. I'm assuming point 1 is the biggest issue, I'm not expecting any issues about points 2, 3 and 4.

Let us know if you've got any problems going forward!

 

[Mech20]

Thanks, taeioum. Your response encouraged me to move forward on it.

Just to follow up for any others who come along.

Mounting bracket. It's a 3rd party bracket for SSDs. I screwed the SSD into the mounting bracket and basically just squeezed the unit into pretty much the only available bay (these bays hold the drives on their side and not flat). It's a fairly snug fit and given your comments on no moving parts, it seems like it's going to be just fine without having to screw the unit into the bay itself (which would have required drilling pilot holes into the mounting bracket to align correctly with the bay holes).

SATA cable. There was only one available port on the motherboard. Wasn't sure why it was white and the others another color but it works. I would just suggest to any other noobs installing anything to determine whether the SATA cable is best with an elbow connector or a straight connector. The one I purchased with an elbow connector worked out but a straight connector probably would have been better.

SATA power. I think there was only 1 or 2 available from the bunch coming from the battery. I chose P4 just because it was in a better position in the clumped cables so as not to have to snip the zip tie.

OS Reinstall. Thanks for the link to the media creator. That worked using the "Custom" option. There are several links out there on step by step guides. Just look up your computer type when searching as there will be more accurate information in terms of the BIOS settings and Boot Order instructions. Just an fyi that evidently the first download try didn't work using an 8GB USB stick. I then tried a 32GB and it worked (though the program only seemed to be 4GB so the failure could have been something else).

After installation, make sure your default boot order is pointed toward your SSD. You can do this using msconfig.

So far I think the only thing I need to do is uninstall Win 10 from my HDD and will see if there is anything special I need to do for that.

Thanks again.

 

[Mech20]

I've got Win 10 on both the SSD and HDD. In order to Uninstall Win 10 off of the HDD, do I need to boot into that drive first?