HDD to SSD - Concerns

[smc805]

Hey Everyone,

So a little while ago I upgraded my laptop with a SSD. I cloned
the existing HDD over, popped in the SSD and have never looked back.
Now I am building a light gaming rig, and would like to transplant the SSD
to the new machine.
Will that even work? I'm worried the machine won't boot, or there will be some sort of crazy snag.
What are potential issues I might run into?

Thanks.

 

[PizzaTheHutt]

It will work fine but it's always better to do a fresh install with a new build. Keep in mind the maximum writes to the SSD so check your SMART status every now and then.

 

[paotasos]

If its windows 7 than it usually works.

 

[maddogfargo]

As long as:

- Mothrboard chipsets are similar (IE: X79 -> x79 or 990FX -> 990FX)
- SATA controller mode is the same (IE: AHCI -> AHCI or RADI -> RAID)
- Sata controller uses the same driver
- BIOS boot order points to the SSD

You should be fine.

 

[jimpz]

IF you laptop/OS is an OEM (HP, DELL, etc) & you put the HD in another, odds are it will not boot & probably will not activate if it does boot an an OEM OS is tied to the original mobo.

 

[boosted1g]

If you are asking if you can use take your windows installation from the laptop and then reuse it in the desktop, that is a clear violation of Microsoft license agreement and would be copyright infringement.

Now if you are just wanting to take that ssd and wipe it and use it in your desktop then yes that will completely fine.
Make sure to set the sata mode in bios to AHCI before you install windows.

 

[smc805]

If you are asking if you can use take your windows installation from the laptop and then reuse it in the desktop, that is a clear violation of Microsoft license agreement and would be copyright infringement.

Now if you are just wanting to take that ssd and wipe it and use it in your desktop then yes that will completely fine.
Make sure to set the sata mode in bios to AHCI before you install windows.

It is certainly not my intention to infringe on any copyright laws. I guess I thought it'd be possible to register or activate basically a second copy of Windows through Microsoft. Naïve of me.

Thank you for the insight in regards to the BIOS as well.

 

[smc805]

IF you laptop/OS is an OEM (HP, DELL, etc) & you put the HD in another, odds are it will not boot & probably will not activate if it does boot an an OEM OS is tied to the original mobo.

Yeah, it's an Acer laptop w/ Win8 pre-installed. So I'm guessing that'd be a problem.

Guess I'll be wiping it and starting fresh.

 

[smc805]

As long as:

- Mothrboard chipsets are similar (IE: X79 -> x79 or 990FX -> 990FX)
- SATA controller mode is the same (IE: AHCI -> AHCI or RADI -> RAID)
- Sata controller uses the same driver
- BIOS boot order points to the SSD

You should be fine.

Thanks for the thorough answer! Unfortunately my assumption is that it'll be very unlikely all of these things will line up : /

Oh well. Thanks!

 

[smc805]

It will work fine but it's always better to do a fresh install with a new build. Keep in mind the maximum writes to the SSD so check your SMART status every now and then.

Will do! Thank you!

Does anyone know if I can use the Recovery boot on a thumb drive to do a fresh install on the SSD once it's wiped and activate/register that with Windows? I have no problem purchasing another copy of Windows, I just don't want to have to deal with ordering/downloading and for the time being won't have an optical drive in the new machine.

 

[USAFRet]

1. Your laptop SSD will not work in the new build for 2 reasons. Operation and Licensing.
Operation - it will not boot
Licensing - That probably being a preinstalled OEM license, that won't work either.
And even if the above were not issues, now you have a laptop with no OS.

2. The 'Recovery Boot' won't work to install a new OS on new hardware.

3. You will have to buy/download something to install.
Which OS is going on the new machine?

Windows 7 - Buy from Amazon/Newegg/etc. While you're waiting for it to arrive int he mail, you can download the official ISO from here: http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Use this Windows USB/DVD Download Tool to create a usable boot USB.
Install. You have 30 days to activate.

Windows 8.1 - You can buy from MS, or Amazon/Newegg/etc. You can either get a DVD or download directly.
Use the above mentioned tool to build the USB stick for install.

 

[smc805]

1. Your laptop SSD will not work in the new build for 2 reasons. Operation and Licensing.
Operation - it will not boot
Licensing - That probably being a preinstalled OEM license, that won't work either.
And even if the above were not issues, now you have a laptop with no OS.

2. The 'Recovery Boot' won't work to install a new OS on new hardware.

3. You will have to buy/download something to install.
Which OS is going on the new machine?

Windows 7 - Buy from Amazon/Newegg/etc. While you're waiting for it to arrive int he mail, you can download the official ISO from here: http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Use this Windows USB/DVD Download Tool to create a usable boot USB.
Install. You have 30 days to activate.

Windows 8.1 - You can buy from MS, or Amazon/Newegg/etc. You can either get a DVD or download directly.
Use the above mentioned tool to build the USB stick for install.

Gotcha. That's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you much!

Since I have a few more things in my cart, Newegg, here I come!