In recent years, SSD (Solid State Drive) units have become established as a new standard for data storage. the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) were until recently the undisputed rulers of this sector with the arrival of this technology, however, this storage technology is rapidly making aside.
In reality, these are two totally different ways of storing data- on the one hand, traditional HDDs that use heads that work on a sort of rotating plates, literally going to “write” data on that support; on the other side there are the SSD units which are plates containing integrated circuits that serve to store the data.
Replace HDD with SDD? First, let’s understand the differences!
On a purely practical level, what are the differences between the two supports? The SSD memories have the undeniable advantage of the speed of reading that makes them unbeatable from the point of view of speed. On the other hand, compared to traditional HDDs, it has the disadvantage of limited write cycles- although in modern SSDs the cycles still guarantee a very high number of operations, it is still a potentially shorter life cycle compared to disk technology rigid (although much depends on wear).
The disadvantage deriving from the use of SSDs is that using flash memories, they are distinguished by a finite number of write cycles. Thanks also to the use of special algorithms that allow to distribute writing and erasing more evenly on the memory cells, the modern SSD units can be used for several years without any kind of problem. Of course, there is also a different price- with the same capacity, HDDs are definitely cheaper.
Of course, remedying this problem is quite simple. In fact, it is sufficient to adopt two different supports on the same device in order to use the SSD memory for data that rarely require the writing of data and use an HDD for the files that are changed more frequently.
The quality of the hardware installed on a computer must also be considered- choosing the best SSDs for your device can perhaps cost you a few euros more, but at the same time can guarantee more durable and long-lasting support.
Replace HDD with SDD- let’s put your hands on the computer!
Now that we know the differences between the two supports, we can begin to move on to the more practical side of this radical change. Warning: if you do not have particular dexterity or if you have never dealt with hardware, the advice is to contact someone who is already familiar with this kind of work. In any case, the casing of the unit should not be opened- in addition to an operation that is dangerous for its integrity, this will totally invalidate the guarantee.
Install an SSD card on desktop computers
Before putting your hand on the machine, be sure to turn off and unplug your computer from electricity. Also be sure to work in an antistatic environment to operate in complete safety. To protect the components from static electricity, touch one of the computer’s unpainted metal surfaces before starting work on the hardware.
Once this is done, you can start with the actual operation:
- remove the chase cover (each model has a different opening).
- remove the unit to be replaced, disconnecting all the cables that bind it to the machine
- identify the unit’s housings and evaluate the available space. To install a 2.5-inch SSD in a 3.5-inch bay, use adapters if necessary.
- once the SSD memory is fixed, connect all the necessary cables (for further information, read the instruction manual of the hardware involved in the operation).
- Make sure the SSD is secured and all cables are connected
- Replace the chase cover, connect the power cord and turn on the computer.
Install an SSD card on a laptop
- remove the chase cover (each model has a different opening).
- remove the unit to be replaced, disconnecting all the cables that bind it to the machine
- the main difference compared to the desktop installation is the space that the memory requires- some slots have a height of 7 mm, while others have 9.5. Depending on the spaces and the SSD model it may be necessary to use spacers to make the memory more stable.
- connect the SSD memory with the SATA connector into the storage slot and slide the drive into the slot. Warning: do not force. If the memory does not slip naturally there is something wrong and forcing could lead to damaging the hardware.
- check that the memory is firm, take a quick look at the cable.
- remount the notebook’s body
- turn on the computer
The alternative HDD Frame
If you want to have an additional SSD on your laptop to be attached to the one in the device, there is the option HDD Frame. This is an SSD that can be inserted into the slot usually dedicated to the DVD player and that acts as real secondary support.
Of course, if you want to use this solution, you must take into account that by doing so you will sacrifice (even if not irreversibly) your DVD player.
Can you move an operating system between two media without having to reinstall anything?
Replacing a hard drive with an SSD card is a rather wise operation in most cases. To speak clearly is the increase in speed that is obtained with this operation.
In spite of what can be a mechanical action (among other things rather simple), is it possible to carry out a sort of “transplant” of the operating system? Although this operation was quite difficult to do in the past, everything is much simpler nowadays.
In this sense, you can adopt different types of apps that literally allow you to clone the drive or a partition of a medium. Warning- before carrying out such action, however, it is good to make sure that the SSD card that will load the cloned operating system has enough space to host it (this type of support, for technology and cost issues, usually has lower capacities than Traditional HDD). To replace a traditional hard disk with an SSD, you can work with different types of software.
EaseUS Todo Backup Free
EaseUS Todo Backup Free is one of the most popular and used apps to clone partitions. Beyond the use, as regards the security of your data, you can perform such an operation to transfer a copy of your HDD on the new SSD. Warning- of course this operation must be done before carrying out the “physical” replacement of the two supports.
Once the program has started, simply select the System Backup item in the top menu. Once this is done, a window very similar to this will open.
The app automatically locates the partition with the operating system and, to the user, you just have to choose the path in which to save the backup file. Once you have chosen the path, click on Proceed at the bottom right to start the backup.
Once the backup operation is complete, you can perform the physical replacement operation. On the new media, reinstalled any Windows operating system, you can reinstall EaseUS Todo Backup Free and copy the files of the previous backup in the path set by the app as a folder for them.
So, with the same start of the software, you will be presented with the possibility to work with the backup files in that specific folder.
In this case, simply choose Restore to restore the operating system to the previously saved state.
AOMEI Backupper
The alternative AOMEI Backupper not only allows you to move the operating system from HDD to SSD but also to do it directly while both media are installed on the operating machine.
Once the program has started, on the main screen, select Clone and then Disk clone. Choosing Partition clone you can focus on the partition affected by the operating system, leaving out the other (also in this case pay attention to the space occupied by the resulting file and the one available on HDD). After clicking on Next, you will have to choose the destination SSD unit, then confirm the operation using the Start clone button.
Note: to make the best of the transition from HDD to SSD select the item Align partition to optimize for SSD.
The alternatives
Even if the two programs just shown appear as the most suitable, there are no more than valid alternatives to replace HDD with SDD for your operating system. Specifically, it is good to spend a few words for two other programs.
Macrium Reflect a software focused on the cloning of operating systems and therefore can be useful for this purpose. Among the different features available to the user it is good to remember the incremental backups programmed and the ability to create media (USB, CD or DVD) to restore the system in case of need. Macrium Reflect is available in different versions- one free, while there are many other paid ones (Home, Work Station, Server and Server Plus).
It is impossible not to mention also Clonezilla, one of the most specific and technical tools of this sector. This is something very different from the other apps we talked about- it is a software that works together with supports such as CD or USB that, once used at computer startup, allow you to bring the operating system back to a state previous through ISO images.
