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    Laptop AND SSD newb.

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by Punctual, Jun 27, 2010.

  1. Punctual

    Punctual Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry, I did a quick search and it pulled up alot of reference about swapping the HDD for a SSD but I couldn't find a how to.

    Everyone says install the new SSD, install windows 7, and update drivers from dell. Sounds simple.

    But how can I reinstall windows 7? Do I need to go buy a new copy of windows 7 from the store to put on my SSD?

    Can it not be cloned?
     
    Punctual, Jun 27, 2010
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  2. JxStarLA

    JxStarLA Notebook Enthusiast

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    Remove the HDD. Put in the new SSD. If you have a M11x you will need a external cd/dvd drive. Go into Bios and boot from CD Drive. Put in the CD that came with your M11x and it will install windows 7 for you. Then download and install drivers from dell.
     
    JxStarLA, Jun 27, 2010
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  3. Punctual

    Punctual Notebook Enthusiast

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    Easy enough, thanks. External cd/dvd drive is in the mail. :)

    "You have given out too much rep in the last 24 hours"

    ={
     
    Punctual, Jun 27, 2010
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  4. Punctual

    Punctual Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any clue how large a program windows 7 is?

    I'm looking at a small SSD (60GB), pretty much only buying the laptop to play FFXIV on the run and maybe some SC2
     
    Punctual, Jun 27, 2010
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  5. Luminair

    Luminair Notebook Consultant

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    Luminair, Jun 27, 2010
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  6. lootbag

    lootbag Notebook Geek

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    60GB more than enough to install Windows 7 and a few games.
     
    lootbag, Jun 27, 2010
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  7. stevenxowens792

    stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

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    I load Win7 from USB stick when I had to reload on Friday. I also have a dvdrom and a blu-ray drive. My usb stick says its around 5.3gb total size.

    Best Wishes,

    StevenX
     
    stevenxowens792, Jun 27, 2010
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  8. Punctual

    Punctual Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks all. :)

    I was led to believe it was going to be a much bigger headache than this!

    I've now ordered a intel x25m momentus 80gb ssd. Can't wait to put it in my r2 whenever my r2 actually gets here! <shakes fist>
     
    Punctual, Jun 27, 2010
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  9. Punctual

    Punctual Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, I took out the hdd, installed my SSD. Put the windows CD that came with the m11x in my external dvd/cd drive, and booted up the m11x.

    It comes up with some error saying it can't recognize the hardware etc etc. like ecf0000000-09 or something.

    Any ideas?
     
    Punctual, Jul 12, 2010
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  10. Allamar

    Allamar Notebook Geek

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    Not sure. Does the computer boot at all? First I would go into the bios and make sure that it sees your SSD, and then make sure the external drive is the first boot device.

    I installed a SSD and then installed windows7 off a USB flash stick. No problems.
     
    Allamar, Jul 12, 2010
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  11. Punctual

    Punctual Notebook Enthusiast

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    cd/dvd drive wouldn't recognize, but I know the drive works fine. I use it all the time.

    I decided to just go buy a usb stick and i'm currently installing windows 7 off the usb stick.

    :) just avert a big hassle.
     
    Punctual, Jul 12, 2010
    #11