Can my laptops hard drive be replaced with an ssd?

[metal079]

Laptop is a Toshiba Satellite C55D-B521 Heres the page with the detailed manual http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=1200008321
I was also wondering if it would possible to replace it with a msata ssd like this http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-128GB-mSATA-Internal-CT128M550SSD3/dp/B00IRRDI34/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1421540487&sr=1-2&keywords=ssd for os and keep the hard drive for space and if not what size ssd should I be getting (I talked to toshiba support about this and they had no idea)

 

[photonboy]

SSD - yes

mSATA - not unless you have an mSATA or similar type of SSD connection. It's hard for me to find out but you should have a manual or at least be able to open up the laptop to look.

I'd be surprised if you had an mSATA slot as that's an extra cost so why have it there especially if it's not an expensive laptop.

Other:
For Capacity you should get at least 120GB but if you only support one drive I recommend a 250GB, 2.5" SSD. You can use PCPARTPICKER to help you.

*Some 2.5" slots only support 7mm drives (height). If unsure, open up the laptop and measure the height of your hard drive.

CLONE:
You'll want to CLONE your HDD to SSD using a program like Machrium Reflect Free. If only one slot you'll need to put the SSD into a USB case or standalone unit like the BlacX: http://www.ncix.com/detail/thermaltake-blacx-s-2-5-3-5in-sata-e6-29859.htm

That's a CANADIAN link but the above device supports both 2.5" and 3.5" drives. I use it because I sometimes switch around drives. You may want a 2.5" SATA to USB case then use the HDD as a handy external USB drive.

**If you do clone to an SSD from the HDD I suggest after you verify that it works you use a program like Acronis True Image to create a backup Image to the USB hard drive in case any issues happen you can easily restore it (create the Acronis or similar boot disc in case that happens).

 

[photonboy]

Links:

2.5" USB 3.0 enclosures:
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=85537&vpn=SAT2510BU32&manufacture=StarTech.com
or
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=88345&vpn=S2510BPU33&manufacture=StarTech.com

250GB SSD: the following has a $30 rebate but it's the best deal if you redeem it ($73 after rebate).
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-internal-hard-drive-cssdf240gbls

Otherwise filter down to the 250/256GB SSD size and look at both price and customer feedback. I personally use Samsung EVO drives because the Samsung Magician software is quite useful to update the firmware, test etc:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te250bw

 

[metal079]

SSD - yes

mSATA - not unless you have an mSATA or similar type of SSD connection. It's hard for me to find out but you should have a manual or at least be able to open up the laptop to look.

I'd be surprised if you had an mSATA slot as that's an extra cost so why have it there especially if it's not an expensive laptop.

Other:
For Capacity you should get at least 120GB but if you only support one drive I recommend a 250GB, 2.5" SSD. You can use PCPARTPICKER to help you.

*Some 2.5" slots only support 7mm drives (height). If unsure, open up the laptop and measure the height of your hard drive.

CLONE:
You'll want to CLONE your HDD to SSD using a program like Machrium Reflect Free. If only one slot you'll need to put the SSD into a USB case or standalone unit like the BlacX: http://www.ncix.com/detail/thermaltake-blacx-s-2-5-3-5in-sata-e6-29859.htm

That's a CANADIAN link but the above device supports both 2.5" and 3.5" drives. I use it because I sometimes switch around drives. You may want a 2.5" SATA to USB case then use the HDD as a handy external USB drive.

**If you do clone to an SSD from the HDD I suggest after you verify that it works you use a program like Acronis True Image to create a backup Image to the USB hard drive in case any issues happen you can easily restore it (create the Acronis or similar boot disc in case that happens).

Thanks for the quick reply, would this work for cloning my hard drive to a ssd? http://www.amazon.com/Anker%C2%AE-Converter-Adapter-Cable-included/dp/B005B3VO24/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1421642972&sr=1-1&keywords=hdd+enclosure

 

[photonboy]

RE: product linked above

Yes, it would work however it's basically the same thing I linked but doesn't have an enclosure (because it's meant to work with 2.5" or 3.5" drives).

I suggest getting a 2.5" enclosure like I linked because then you can add a 2.5" drive and use it as an external unit. You may even want to do that if you are replacing your HDD with an SSD then you can keep it handy and use to create a backup Image of the SSD as well as store other data.

Also, the enclosure I recommend doesn't need a power cable as it gets power via the USB cable so that's more convenient.

So my suggestion is:

1) If you only have one 2.5" slot buy the SSD (250GB?) and one of the 2.5" enclosures I linked

2) Insert SSD into enclosure and attach

3) CLONE using program Machrium Reflect Free or similar

4) Swap HDD for SSD then bootup to see if it works. If so test for a week.

5) Then use HDD with enclosure and FORMAT it (NTFS) in Windows

6) Make a backup IMAGE (Acronis True Image, Windows Backup or other)

7) Make the BOOT DISC for the backup program (in case you need to restore image backup)

8) USB drive can be used for other data. Also periodically make a new backup Image.