Update my C Drive

[DonH]

I have just purchased a 256GB SSD from PC Specialist to upgrade my laptop. I requested instructions for carrying out the upgrade but only received instruction on how to reinstall Windows. I'm sure there is a better way. Perhaps a member could look through my thoughts below and let me know if I am on the right path.

There is a second slot in the laptop where I could place the new SSD.

I'm assuming I get at the slot by removing every screw in the base to access the slot?

Should I then use something like Macrium Reflect Free to clone the contents of the existing SSD in slot 1 to the new one (i,e. Windows 10 and all the programs) or is there a better alternative process?

Once the clone is complete is it then advisable to swop over the two drives to get the new one to operate as the C drive, or is this not necessary but simply boot from new SSD in slot2,

With the now 'spare original' SSD, can this simply be formatted and used as a data store in addition to the hard drive, or should I remove it and place it in an enclosure to be used as an external spare drive?

 

[steaky360]

If it were me, I'd not bother cloning the drive, I'd go for a new install of Windows onto the new drive and effectively format the old one (backing up any relevant files beforehand).

You won't need to physically relocate the drives after the installation though.

As for the specifics as to 'how' - you'll need to provide more info like what laptop it is etc. but I'd imagine PCS provided instructions already as you were performing the install yourself (welcome book maybe)? Or is there nothing in there?

 

[DonH]

Thanks for coming back.

I thought I'd save myself some time be simply cloning the drive. Can you say why this is not recommended?

I made a start by removing all the screws in the base but something is holding it in place.

The machine is s a Cosmos Series 17.3inch laptop.

I have looked at the Welcome Booklet but that doesn't help. Its simple a booklet relating to many machines; not specifically miine.

I am loath to force anything. Any ideas whet may be holding it?

regards

Don

 

[steaky360]

SNIP ** Can you say why this is not recommended? ** SNIP

Sure can,

1 - I'm not actually sure cloning the drive would be any quicker, reinstalling windows is pretty fast and simple these days.
2 - If there's any kind of glitch caused because of the cloning you'll need to reinstall windows anyway, so for me, reinstalling windows straight away just makes more sense (to me).

@ubuysa has spoken about Macrium Reflect before but I don't remember the context, he may have some worth input here.

I've no idea how to open up the Cosmos Series laptops but if you post some photos of what you're looking at here it might help someone else advise? Failing that, give PCS a call and talk it through with them.

 

[ubuysa]

Sure can,

1 - I'm not actually sure cloning the drive would be any quicker, reinstalling windows is pretty fast and simple these days.
2 - If there's any kind of glitch caused because of the cloning you'll need to reinstall windows anyway, so for me, reinstalling windows straight away just makes more sense (to me).

@ubuysa has spoken about Macrium Reflect before but I don't remember the context, he may have some worth input here.

I've no idea how to open up the Cosmos Series laptops but if you post some photos of what you're looking at here it might help someone else advise? Failing that, give PCS a call and talk it through with them.

Macrium Reflect, like Acronis, can take an image of any drive. It's a useful cloning tool - it's actually a backup of one drive and a restore to another.

Even Windows 10 benefits from a reinstall now and again, I do one every year, sometimes twice. IMO a new SSD is an ideal opportunity to clean install Windows, you know that you're getting a clean and stable system for one thing, and I'd always recommend it.

 

[DonH]

Thanks but have you tried calling PCS recently. I have tried 3/4 times but gave up as I am usually 10 to 15 in the queue.

 

[steaky360]

Thanks but have you tried calling PCS recently. I have tried 3/4 times but gave up as I am usually 10 to 15 in the queue.

Hope this doesn't sound rude, yes I have, but assuming no one else here can help with the installation thats not really a good reason not to do it.... Its unfortunately just a sign of the times.

 

[Bastet]

Simple way I did this from a 2Tb HDD to same size SSD was to image the HD then change the drive for the SSD & use the imaging program boot media to restore the image.

 

[FerrariVie]

And why do you need it cloned in the first place? Why not just use the new SSD to save bigger files and keep the old just for windows and basic apps? Unless you tell me that the old one is slower, then it would make sense to use the new as boot drive.

And regarding how to open the laptop, I agree with @steaky360 . If you can provide us with pictures of the bottom cover of the laptop, we can try to help you with identifying which screws you need to remove (usually all of them, but it can vary).

 

[DonH]

I need to have a larger C drive as I have fairly large image processing and simulation programs which need the associated days files on the same five as the simulator. I'm forever swapping the data files to keep the occupancy at a reasonable level.

Here are three photos showing the underneath of the laptop.

I have removed 14 screws plus the battery (still in place in the photos) but the base cover will not come off and I don't want to force it

 

[FerrariVie]

I need to have a larger C drive as I have fairly large image processing and simulation programs which need the associated days files on the same five as the simulator. I'm forever swapping the data files to keep the occupancy at a reasonable level.

Here are three photos showing the underneath of the laptop.

I have removed 14 screws plus the battery (still in place in the photos) but the base cover will not come off and I don't want to force it

If you need to have the simulation programs in the same drive as whatever files, you could indeed have the programs installed on the second drive. But anyway, that is all up to you to decide.

Unfortunately, we cannot see the photos. If they're too big, maybe upload them into some img sharing site (like imgur or similar) or try making them smaller with windows photos.

 

[DonH]

Sorry - hope these photos get through.

 

[Martinr36]

no screws in the battery compartment

What laptop is it

 

[FerrariVie]

no screws in the battery compartment

What laptop is it

It looks like a Clevo NH70RxQ. I actually don't know how to remove the back cover of this model, it doesn't look like a slide type of removal, like my Nova. The only thing I know is that it definitely needs to have the battery removed first (as you said you did)

 

[FerrariVie]

Found this on the internet, it looks to be the same chassis. There are 3 screws below the battery as well, make sure you're removing all 17 of them (wow, that's a lot):


Then, after that, there are still some plastic clips all over the borders that keep the cover together. I would recommend a plastic pry tool, but any thin and hard piece of plastic will do.

Wow, that is definitely not an easy chassis to get inside.

 

[steaky360]

Found this on the internet, it looks to be the same chassis. There are 3 screws below the battery as well, make sure you're removing all 17 of them (wow, that's a lot):
View attachment 19911

Then, after that, there are still some plastic clips all over the borders that keep the cover together. I would recommend a plastic pry tool, but any thin and hard piece of plastic will do.

Wow, that is definitely not an easy chassis to get inside.

I'm perhaps being overcautious but after seeing this I'd urge you to contact PCS BEFORE proceeding any further. Mostly so they can guide you through it, if you do it yourself and make a mistake (even a genuine, understandable one) you will put your warranty at risk.

Save yourself a bit of grief and sit in the queue, its certainly a wait (I've sat through the queues a few times recently to get in touch) but it'll help maintain your warranty, and ultimately, you're entitled to the support

 

[DonH]

It looks like a Clevo NH70RxQ. I actually don't know how to remove the back cover of this model, it doesn't look like a slide type of removal, like my Nova. The only thing I know is that it definitely needs to have the battery removed first (as you said you did)

Thank you - didn't realise the minute screws in the battery compartment had to be removed.

 

[DonH]

I'm perhaps being overcautious but after seeing this I'd urge you to contact PCS BEFORE proceeding any further. Mostly so they can guide you through it, if you do it yourself and make a mistake (even a genuine, understandable one) you will put your warranty at risk.

Save yourself a bit of grief and sit in the queue, its certainly a wait (I've sat through the queues a few times recently to get in touch) but it'll help maintain your warranty, and ultimately, you're entitled to the support

Thank you but I have now managed to remove the back and install the additional SSD.

I appreciate all the help I received from Forum Members.