Step-By-Step - Installing SSD and W7 (With Asus Recovery Disc) On G51J

Well, my OCZ Vertex 120GB arrived today, here is a step by step:
1. Remove bottom cover ensuring to note where each screw came from.
2. G51J A1 - HD w OS is on the furthest Drive to the right (when viewing upside down and cover removed).
3. Remove this Drive and label it "W7 OS" - 4 Screw holding Drive within Case - then 4 screws holding HD within the HD mount
4. Remove middle HD - same number of screws - label it "Spare HD Data" (Temporarily removing the 2nd HDD ensures no "confusion" by the Recovery Disc OS Installer when installing W7 onto your new Vertex Drive.
5. Prior to Installing Vertex Drive, hook it up to another PC to ensure it is Flashed to the latest FW - as of Feb 19 2010 - FW version 1.5
6. Install and fastene Vertex into HD Rack with 4 screws and install in to Notebook - fasten in place with 4 screws.
7. Press Esc Key upon Boot and select Optical Drive to Boot from (Confirm that the only other Drive as an option is new OCZ SSD)
8. Install Recovery Disc into Optical Drive Bay
9. Continue Boot Process from Asus Recovery Disc
10. Select Recover to Entire HD in 2 Partitions (yes I want a Partition) - if you do not want a Partition select "Recover to Entire HD"
11. So far, 71% complete...will update this Post as I progress. (Completed 100% about 10 minutes on an SSD)
12. Completed, prompted to insert Utilities / Drivers Disc
13 Surprise here..Utilities Drivers Disc "Auto" opened a DOS Command Window and apperas to have run a Driver installation Script (didn't install Bloatware, just essential Drivers - took about 5 minutes)
14. After initial set-up of W7 - insert Driver / Utilities Disc and install wanted Utilities.
15. Install Anti-Virus Software - I prefer to use Free version of AVG (has worked flawelessly for me on several Desktop Builds)
16. Run Windows7 Updates
17. Power down your Notebook and Install your 2nd additional 320GB Seagate HD
18. Power back up and go to "My Computer / Manage / Disc Management and ensure your additional HD has been detected (you may want to "start clean" and format it at this point).
19. Install Maintenance Utilities - CCleaner, Driver Sweeper and HD Defraggler (for 2nd HD only - Do Not Defrag SSD)
20. Remove old nVidia Driver, run Driver Sweeper and install nVidia Driver 195.62 (this version has performed excellent for myself)

Thats it....the entire process went smooth, no hiccups.

* If you have a Desktop Rig kicking around, install the removed Seagate 320GB 2.5" Drive, into a 2.5" to 3.5" converter Bracket, hook up the SATA and Power connectors and you'll have another spare 320GB Drive for your Desktop. I secured my spare 320GB Seagate right beside my Intel 80GB SSD in my Desktop

A Note: I was never prompted to "Re-Activate my Asus Windows 7 OS"

The only "surprise" was the Drivers / Utilities DOS Installer Script, as said, did not install any Bloatware - be patient here as it takes a bit of time and you'll be prompted to ReBoot your Notebook a couple of times. Don't "Freak Out" over the DOS Window, leave it alone and let it do its thing!

Welcome to the wonderful world of "Blazing Fast SSD's"

Cheers

 

Thanks for this. Does this void the warranty though?

 

^^ Absolutely not.

 

No offense boys...but this has already been "Stickied" on 2 other Forums....I came to this Forum looking for just this ....

Hey Mods.....be kind of a shame to see this get buried deep within this /forum for no one else to take advantage of

....Just a hint ;