Would you install Win7, SSD on a X460-44G?

I have a Samsung X460-44G (Intel dual core 2GHz CPU, 3GB of RAM, slow Fujitsu 5400rpm HDD) Vista Bus 32bit. SATA controller is ICH9/ICH9M, looks like it is SATA 3.0 Gbit/s capable. It works well, we like it, but it's slow, think it's due to slow drive speed.

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG X460-44G NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P7350(2.00GHz) 14.1" Wide XGA 3GB Memory DDR3 1066 250GB HDD 5400rpm Dual layer DVD Burner NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS

Current Crystal sequential speed is 52MB/s read & 47MB/s write.

I've read about other Samsung laptop models that have had problems after "upgrades", not sure if I should do it or not. I am a veteran PC builder and am a little itchy to work on it, but don't want to hose it up either (wife's PC). I'd prefer Win7 x64 but am ok with the Vista x32, all drivers on Samsung's site are 32bit.

What would you do?
1) leave it as it is
2) use a WD black 7200rpm drive to the 7200rpm drive (have now)
3) upgrade to a SSD (would need to buy it)

What is the best way to install a new drive in a laptop? Clone it?

 

First, I would install the new HDD and try to install Win 7 to find out whether there any issues with either Windows drivers or the Samsung software (such as getting the Fn keys to work). If there are issues, then clone the existing HDD onto the new one and make do with the current OS. If there are no issues then see if the performance seems OK. If it is, the door is open to getting an SSD and cloning your new Win 7 installation to it (or doing another fresh installation). There is a potential problem of partition alignment when cloning to an SSD. However, Acronis True Image seems to handle that OK and, if you get an Intel SSD then you can download the Intel version of Acronis for free.

John

 

Thanks John.

I can try the new HDD, don't have a 32bit version of Win7 to work with so I'll try an x64 copy for now.

If I hadn't read about all the problems with X360(?) model after people did stuff, even just a basic BIOS update, I'd just get the SSD. Guess I could use it somewhere else anyway. There are Samsung updates available for the BIOS and drivers on this laptop, kind of afraid to install them now, especially that BIOS.

Update: I cloned the Fujitsu to the new WD, couldn't do it from the laptop and BlacX with WD inserted because the WD Acronis software said there was no WD drive in the system, worked ok sticking both drives in my Core i7 920 though. It also has a WD OS drive. Now read speed is 107MB/s & write is 108MB/s, should be a little snappier than it was before!! I'll keep the old drive intact for a while until I'm sure the new one is ok. Vista is ok for now.

Jim

 

See this thread if you want to download a 32 bit Win 7.

I share your worries about BIOS compatibility problems. Samsung don't make it easy to roll back to an earlier BIOS version.

John

 

I have some problems.

1) Avast stopped with the new drive, can use a free version instead. I don't understand this company. I PAID them for a multicopy subscription for 3 years so I'd have it for WHS (version 1). They won't allow me to get any updated software from the version I bought. Now this.

2) Windows update and related "authenticity" is hosed up.

Going to read a thread open on the laptop to see how they deal with it.

Update:

Avast solution: I re-entered my Avast 4.8 key and it now works again.

Windows update and defender were borked in Vista, solution: I ran Windows FixIt (downloaded from Microsoft) in aggressive mode. I also installed Intel Rapid Storage Technology (latest Intel version). Defender and Update now work. I thought it only required the MS FixIt, uninstalled the Intel Rapid Storage Technology and the Update and Defender broke again, Storage Tech software/driver was definately needed.

I used the free Western Digital Acronis download with a fairly automatic clone to "scale partition size" based on new drive size.

Not sure if I want to get a SSD or not, this is certainly more snappy than with the old Fujitsu drive.