Clean Install for an SSD...

[FTJoe]

Thought I saw some of this answered but can't find it now, apologies. Three questions...

1) Getting a T510 tomorrow and already have an OCZ SSD Agility 2 waiting to go in it. I'm pretty pumped, its for the wife and she's been putting up with a slow booting/mis-behaving X61 tablet for a few years now. Pretty sure I need to do a clean install but does the clean install need to be off a regular or upgrade installation disk or can the recover disks be used and will they contain the drivers as well? l notice MANY drivers and packages for the T510 on the Lenovo site and was hoping to avoid installing everything (not even sure what some are). I'm not concerned about getting the full install disks as they are still legally available on the net (last time I checked).

2) Is there any list of what folks choose to install driver/application wise and what they leave alone?

3) Because it's an OCZ drive, its eligible for a return to upgrade to a drive to get a little more space (long story). I want to do the install on the SSD I have in hand, use Acronis or something suitable to image it, restore to a regular HDD, send my drive in, get a new one back, then image the HDD back to the new SSD. Is anything going to bite me on this approach?

[ausmike]

Hi *Joe;

Sounds like you have had/might have HAD the SAME ISSUES i had with OCZ SSD (thus the free exchange)..... and YIP .. I kinda have few things/tips for ya

1) leave out ANy or ALL "thinkVantage Apps" @ first
- I only installed these at later date ( PM Maanager + HotKEY)

2) SSD -> to SSD image is BEST POSSIBLE OPTION via ACRONIS'2011
(normal HD -> SSD or reverse >> - am not sure be good idea)

3) There are lots of good TIPS & TRICKS now avalible for SSD 'optim'zation' and finetuning . even on this forum. I would read them and get a list and configure accordingly
a)...... CLEAN Install Win7 (i would highly recommend x64 + SP1) and than get Lenovo website Win7 Updates + Drivers (er your necessary list).........
b) BACKUP this SSD to a Normal HD ( i just used Acronis to do "complete backup' to a NORMAL HD - to secondary bay)
c) than CLONE to another SSD ............ reboot , swap and you GTG - goodtogo!


Hope this helps
Cheers

[FTJoe]

Appreciate the response. Only issue with cloning to another SSD is I don't have a second one and my wife will not allow the machine to sit around unused waiting for the new SSD to come back from OCZ. Though I must admit I just saw Newegg has an Intel 120GB x-25M on Sale for $176 after rebate.

[ausmike]

A....... Newegg has an Intel 120GB x-25M on Sale for $176 after rebate.

I can highly recommend - Both - Newegg and the Intel in Super Special
(grab it while they have stock) I havnt has an Intel SSD fail yet - however I had a OCZ fail - sudden death in 3 weeks with no BackUP !mybadh !
ouch! NewEgg replaced that - no problems > love that e vendor!
Cheers