Installing an SSD hard drive - instructions
The installation of an SSD is as simple as that of a conventional hard disk (HDD). We show what you have to pay attention to when installing the flash drive.
Install SSD: You have to pay attention to this
Regardless of whether the new SSD replaces the hard drive in your laptop or serves as an additional turbo drive for the office computer: there are a few requirements that your PC must meet. If these are not met, you can either not fully utilize the speed of the SSD or the flash hard drive is not recognized at all.
- You should have at least Windows 7, better Windows 8 installed. Older versions are not yet SSD-optimized and, for example, do not yet have the TRIM function, which allows your SSD to continue to work quickly even after some time.
- The mainboard must have a SATA connection. SATA-3 is recommended for SSD speed, but the drive also works with SATA-2. Information on this can be found in the manual for your main load.
- AHCI mode must be activated in the BIOS. This enables data transfer via the SATA interface. You can also find out how to call up the BIOS settings in the manual.
Use the SSD as an additional drive
If you only want to install the speed upgrade as an extension to an existing hard disk, this can be done in a few simple steps.
- Desktop PCs usually have enough free drive bays.
- With laptops, however, there is almost never enough space to install a second hard drive or SSD. In this case, you will need to replace the old drive, as explained below.
- To accommodate the SSD as an additional drive, proceed as described in this manual.
Replace existing hard disk with SSD
If you own a laptop with only one drive space or want to install Windows on the SSD for the greatest possible performance increase, you have to go one step further. Because the entire operating system is reinstalled, which means that all unsaved data is lost.
- Back up all personal data on an external storage device, such as a USB hard drive.
- If necessary, remove the old hard drive and insert the SSD as described in the instructions linked above. With a laptop you have to remove the base plate.
- Now start the computer with the Windows CD inserted. The PC starts from the CD and you can install the operating system on the SSD. We have collected what you need to consider here.
- After installation, copy your data back to the computer. Your system should now be significantly faster than before.
But be careful: Windows is still installed on your old hard drive, unless you have formatted it. To prevent the "old" Windows installation from continuing to start, format your hard disk as described here.