X230 HDD to SSD - Help Needed!

[oldschool30]

Hey everyone,

I just bought an X230 with the 320GB HDD, 4GB RAM, and Windows 8 configuration. I also bought a Crucial M4Sata SSD to replace the HDD.

Now here is where I'm stuck...does anyone know how to put the windows 8 operating system on the new (blank) ssd? I don't want to clone/migrate the OS, but rather do a clean install (as I have heard this is the best route for optimal performance etc.). I don't have any of the OS disks or an external CD drive. Is it possible for me to do this?

Thanks in advance!

[bill bolton]

I don't want to clone/migrate the OS, but rather do a clean install (as I have heard this is the best route for optimal performance etc.)!

You heard wrongly. Given the present state of Win 8 driver availability, cloning a known working vendor-supplied version is definitely "optimal"

Cheers,

Bill B.

[oldschool30]

You heard wrongly. Given the present state of Win 8 driver availability, cloning a known working vendor-supplied version is definitely "optimal"

Cheers,

Bill B.

Would cloning the OS affect the performance/reliability of the SSD? If I were to clone it, how would I make sure that it is running as smoothly as it would had I done a clean install?

[bill bolton]

Would cloning the OS affect the performance/reliability of the SSD?

Not with any contemporary OS.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[oldschool30]

Hmm okay...So all I would have to do is use a program like Acronis and do the transfer? I've been reading up something called alignment, and how cloning can cause alignment issues...not really sure what that's all about though.

What would be the pros and cons of doing a clean install vs cloning?

[ducky2802]

Alignment for optimal performance (so Ive been told), windows 7-8 clean install takes care of it for you.
Windows will disable defrag and supports (not sure if this is done with cloned drives) trim to maintain ssd performance.
Clean install lets you customize the software a bit more, e.g. I dont download/install lenovo's wifi managing program or hdd protection.

With that said, Ive created system images/restored hdd, ssd, raid 0, raid 1 all with windows 7 recovery tools and really havent seen a drastic change doing a mechanical image to ssd. Also, you can check trim behavior with elevated cmd, fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify and you can set trim (if its not enabled) by typing in fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0 .

There are a few options I see you can try:
#1, Clean install. While you are at it, try using the uefi boot if you want.
#2, Clone hdd, using acronis true image or windows native backup program (not sure if your flavor windows 8 has the create system image option). Keep in mind, you have to install on a larger HDD for the windows option, so one way to get around this limitation is to shrink your primary partition to less than your msata SSD, create backup, swap drives, and restore using a boot usb pen. Most third-party imaging/ghost/cloning programs let you install on any drive size you want.
#3, Create rescue media using R&R, and hope it lets you restore to the msata drive.

[oldschool30]

Okay, so if I were to clone it using acronis true image, what are the steps that I have to take to ensure that the ssd is aligned and running to its highest performance? Thanks.

[awolfe63]

Okay, so if I were to clone it using acronis true image, what are the steps that I have to take to ensure that the ssd is aligned and running to its highest performance? Thanks.

Should be none for Windows 8.