This should warm RSCOLONEL's heart: I picked up the Kingston 60 gig SSD drive today. My rig from Cyberpower arrives tomorrow.

So...

I'm assuming I need to port the OS (Windows 7) after I install the SSD drive, then format the two Raptors (RAID 0- former home of the OS) and change the boot order in BIOS.

Seems that Kingston includes a CD with drive cloning software on it so we'll see if this saves me a clean install.

Questions:

1. I'm assuming all the OC' work that Cyberpower did was accommplished in BIOS, via RAM timings etc (especially on an ASUS board) and moving the source drive shouldn't effect this. Doesn't hurt that it will come with nothing loaded on it--- no apps, M. Office, or games. Nothing much to screw with....

2. I'm assuming that, especially with the cheaper version of SSD tech, the main idea is to put the OS (WIN 7 PRO) on it and maybe a spare app where there's room.

3. Anything else I should be thinking about? Bought a spare SATA cable and it evidently mounts just like a regular HD.

THANKS!

d.

You can just image the drive. Win 7 has a built in image creation bit and be sure to burn the restore CD because you will need it to boot from, much like Ghost.

Create the image, preferably on a USB external drive. Remove the raptors connections, install the SSD and restore the image.

There are some accounts claiming that Win7 partitions SSDs differently (Alignment of Blocks) to reduce wear on them. If you simple clone the OS, this might effect lifespan a little since you'll get the partition aligment of the RAPTOR Raid.

Besides, I wouldn't clone an OS that ran from Raid (with drivers) to a different hardware, which might require a different driver. Given that you got Win7, a clean install is a matter of minutes.

Did you get a Kingston V+?

You want to put the OS and Games/Apps on the drive, leave music, videos, everything else on the Raptor Raid.

Hey Guys-

RSColonel, I did get a Kingston. Comes with cloning software--- haven't checked it out yet (UPS brings my baby today--- it's out on the truck).

I figure that with a pretty naked install of Win 7 Pro (i.e. there's nothing on it but the OS), I should be OK.

Big question, one I think I know the answer too but need to be sure: do I risk screwing with the overclocking. When I've done it, I can't remember fiddling with anything but the BIOS (especially on an ASUS board).

But am I missing something here?

I assume if the cloning goes according to plan, then I'll just wipe the Raptors of the OS and be in business.

Or at least I'm really hoping it's that simple!

d.

You won't screw up the OCing in Software.

But as I said, cloning might not be the optimum way to set up the OS for SSD usage.

Is it a V+ series?

Of course.... It's never that easy.

Kingston provides some version of Acronis® True Image to move the OS to the new drive. With the disclaimer that the Acronis software doesn't support RAID arrays. Of course my old system has a RAID 0 array. Sheeyit. They do ask you to check the help file in the Acronis software, so maybe there is some solution.

So, wondering if I should take Speedbumps tip.

Of course, another option is a clean install, but I'm not sure if CyberpowerPC will be sending me a straight up copy of Win 7, or if it's the usual OEM arrangement that gets weird when you change the hardware in the slightest degree.

Gawd, never simple is it...

d.

Is this a solution?

http://www.acronis.com/backup-recovery/advanced-workstation/universal-restore.html

The other option would be just to use the SSD for say, "Rise of Flight" or whatever game that has (a) long load times and (b) I'm playing a lot.

Those twin Raptors ought to load the OS plenty fast so...

What do y'all think?

d.

Guys, you got Windows Complete PC Backup included in Win7, so just use that. It should do RAIDs and everything else you throw at it. No need to freak out over the problem.

In your case I still think the clean reinstall would be the better option. Since you're only changing the HD it likely will not be a problem to reactivate, even with an OEM install.

According to this:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241009

Windows 7 makes some optimizations when installed on an SSD. You might be better off doing a clean install.

Cheers!

Thanks fellahs--- that's what I'll do!

d.