Adding a SSD - No Spare SATA Points

• 

  spackbace on 14/05/2015 - 13:35

  +4

  http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=external+dv…

  For $29 make DVD drive external, for those times you really need it

• 

  Davo1111 on 14/05/2015 - 13:36

  +1

  remove the DVD, buy an external one.

  • 

    mrmarkau67 on 14/05/2015 - 13:53

    +6

    Any suggestions in relation to running the SSD as the boot drive?

    My suggestion: run the SSD as the boot drive.

    • • 

        mrmarkau67 on 14/05/2015 - 14:23

        I like doing a fresh install because that gives you a nice fresh version of Windows without all the crap that has built up. You ought to be able to get the drivers from HP.

        If you can't get it to work, you can fall back on cloning.

        The BIOS doesn't get loaded from disk on boot, it is stored independently. You may want to update to the latest BIOS even before you start.

      • 

        rompastompa on 14/05/2015 - 14:39

        +1

        @Cheap Charlie: Disconnect the platter drive before installing. Sometimes Windows will install the hidden system partition on the wrong hard drive. Then, in the BIOS, you can select which hard drive you want to boot from in primary. By default, it's SATA0.

      • 

        twinbag on 14/05/2015 - 17:14

        A fresh install is normally the best for the performance. You wont lose the bios, but you will need to reinstall the drivers. Chances are most of them would be out of date anyway. There's quite a few free automated driver update programs out there that take the hassle out of it. I use the one attached to advanced system care occasionally, it has worked fine for me so far.

        You will have to reinstall all your programs as well, so depending on how many you have purchased it may be easier just to clone the drive.

      • 

        jazzyman9182 on 15/05/2015 - 10:43

        I know I'm a bit late but also once your PC is up and running and your second HDD is connected, turn off the pagefile from the SSD and make it only on the HDD. Just prevent unnessary writes to the drive and extends the life of the drive.

• 

  rompastompa on 14/05/2015 - 14:37

  +1

  You could buy a pci/pci-e sata controller. May take a little setting up if you don't know what you're doing.

  Something like this.

  Check your PSU though, some of the HP's have 250W PSUs, and if you've upgraded the video card, you'll likely be getting close to max.

  Edit: Also; FYI, two sata ports are not a limitation because it's ATX, it's the controller that HP uses that is the problem. These systems are not made to be modified (they want you to buy another, higher end system). When you start adding additional components, it will use up more power and likely blow.

  • • 

      rompastompa on 14/05/2015 - 17:00

      Actually, that board uses an H61 chipset, so it actually can handle four sata ports.

      It's the limitation HP put in their mainboards (probably to keep power low, less problems, more likely to buy a new computer in the future).

      • 

        rompastompa on 14/05/2015 - 18:56

        @Cheap Charlie: That all depends on how you're using it and how time sensitive the software is. I wouldn't unless the board doesn't do what I need it to do.

        For example, if you wanted to stick 2x4TB HDD's in it, then it's not fit for the job. That board is fine for an i3..

• 

  KaTst3R on 14/05/2015 - 15:11

  damn…i cant remember when was the last time I used my disc drive…maybe I should do the same…

  • • 

      KaTst3R on 14/05/2015 - 15:33

      +2

      Are you refering to floppy A or B? Asking because I have already used up all my floppy B disks as frisbees for my dog to play catch…those have great aerodynamics to stay in the air longer…JK too…

    • 

      BobD on 15/05/2015 - 08:00

      I just dumped my external floppy drive last week. My win 8.1 systems won't even sniff at it.

  • 

    rompastompa on 14/05/2015 - 18:52

    My product key is for an OEM version

    You'll need to source an OEM DVD. The sticker will tell you what version you'll need (Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate). You will want a 64-bit edition to utilize the 16GB RAM. Preferably get one with SP1. Most computer shops will have them, but they may not burn you a copy (Microsoft do not allow distribution of copied discs, though you can 'back up' the disk). It will depend on who you speak to (they may also want to charge you to install the OS, as it may be their source of income).

    You're better off connecting only the SSD and ODD for the installation, then swap the ODD for the HDD once installation is completed. No need for additional cables.

    As I said before, disconnect the platter drive - It's too easy for Windows to install the 100MB (or 350MB if GPT) system partition on a different disk, as it won't ask you. (ignore if you're going to do the above)

    The OEM disc will not necessarily have all your drivers (main one you'll need is network, the rest is best to download latest versions).

  • 

    mrmarkau67 on 15/05/2015 - 10:20

    Can you find some instructions to make a recovery DVD with your current Windows installation?

  • 

    Soundwave on 15/05/2015 - 11:04

    HP usually has recovery software installed. So of anything happens, you can reinstall windows and start fresh.

    This being the case, I would clone the original HDD with the recovery partition onto the new SSD.

    Unplug the HDD and see if the SSD boots up fine after the clone.

    If it does, run the HP recovery options for it to reinstall the OEM version of Windows.

    If all goes well, Windows is freshly installed (uninstall a bit of HP bloatware) on your new SSD and then format the HDD to use as storage.

    Or keep it as a backup and spend $100 on a 2TB HDD for extra storage. That way you don't slow down your SSD with stuff.