Computer question please

[bluenose1940]

Hi folks,

I wonder if someone might be able to offer a little guidance please.

I want to put a new hard drive in my pc, just to take the O/S and the programmes.  All of my data is kept on a totally separate drive.

I quite fancy using an SSD unit and would appreciate any guidance on what to buy.  I don't want to spend the earth and, I think that something around 12gb will be sufficient for my needs.

I have hopefully attached an image of my computers specification if it will help with any advice offered.  I think that the drive in it at the moment is a Western Digital unit.

Many thanks.

 

 

Dell Specification_26-06-2019.pdf

[Herbie]

When you say:

2 hours ago, bluenose1940 said:

I think that something around 12gb will be sufficient for my needs.

I'm assuming that you left a '0' off that and meant to say 120GB - Windows 7 itself takes 16 to 20GB.

Personally I would never go with anything less than 240GB as the system/boot drive and there's a very decent one here for £27.06:

https://www.ebuyer.com/790251-kingston-a400-240gb-ssd-ebuyer-com-sa400s37-240g

If you really do want something smaller then you can get the 128GB version for £18.83

Windows 7 reaches end-of-life in about 7 months time so I'd take this opportunity to buy a copy of Windows 10 Pro for £19.99 from here:

https://softwaregeeks.co.uk/product-category/windows-10/

Given that you'll be adding this SSD into the machine as an extra drive you'll need a SATA data cable (I don't think they come with the drive) and maybe also a Molex to SATA power cable too.

Just install the operating system on the SSD then make sure it and/or whatever SATA port it's plugged into is designated as the boot drive in BIOS/UEFI and Robert is your mother's brother.

[bobmc]

sound advice from @Herbie

This is the adaptor cable you might need

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SATA-Power-to-MOLEX-Convertor-Cable-CABLE-2-/390504208060?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

You might need to consider where you will mount the SSD inside the case. You can either buy a mounting kit like this

or just use a couple of double-sided adhesive pads to stick it somewhere convenient. 

Finally, if you don't want to reinstall Windows and all your programs, you can use something like http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx to clone your existing drive to the new SSD

However, I would say that the full re-install would be the preferred option to get the full benefit of the upgrade.

 

 

[bluenose1940]

I have been out all day today and have only just looked at your responses. Thank you so much Herbie and bobmc.  I will get onto your recommendations right away.

Herbie, you're right I did leave a nought off the size, it should have read 120GB.  I am running Windows10 Pro on my machine and so I am assuming that I will have no problems downloading it again along with the most recent update.

bobmv, I do already use macrium but I will be doing a completely clean install when I get the new drive.

Thanks again chaps, much appreciated.

[Herbie]

42 minutes ago, bluenose1940 said:

it should have read 120GB.  I am running Windows10 Pro on my machine and so I am assuming that I will have no problems downloading it again along with the most recent update.

Thought so 😊

Yes, you'll be able to download Windows 10 again without any problem Geoff, just use the media creation tool and it'll walk you through the process.