Dunnar

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit

I could not find a consolidated step by step guide. This is for Windows 7. I need an external HD or somewhere else to put data (2nd PC?). And make sure you get the drive with the Transfer Kit.

First challenge was to figure out how to mount it. 2.5 drive in a 5.5 bay is tricky. My case came with a plastic piece that fit inside a full bay. I just used duct tape to secure the drive to the plastic. I added a piece under so it didn't actually stick to the drive, but rather held it in place.

I first tried this: To run the clone software, you Insert CD, run EX Gig IV. Clone software wasn't as robust as I had hoped. It wouldn't let me select directories not to include.

Next, have to get main drive under 128 GB. I had external USB drive. I went from >750GB to 100GB, so it can be done.
1. Move Download directory (c:\users\Nick\ ..., RC (right click) / Properties / Location / change)
***Important*** Go to actual directories to change location. Windows looks at the main user directories as Virtual Directories. Meaning you can go to C:\Users\Nick, see the directory Music, but that directory will be filled with data from E:\Users\Nick\Music
Its not necessary, but you can also share this new location
- Share directory with new location. RC / Properties / Include Folder
2. Move Documents directory
3. Move Video and Music Directory
4. Run disk cleanup (RC C: / General Tab)
5. Empty recycle bin. Also change Recycle Bin Location (RC / Properties)
6. Removed a lot of games. That got me the biggest bang for the buck (DAOC, Rift, WoW)
7. Cleared directory C:\Users\Nick\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Common\Media Cache Files (this had a ton of data and I'm not sure why)
8. Move Program Files Directory (make sure its stuff that's not currently running)
*Good time to remove extra software and uninstall

Use Clone Software (took ~1 hr)

Reboot, go into bios, set SSD as main. Windows comes up, drivers install, reboot again.

Do above steps to move data from external drive to HD.
Change your Recycle bin back
Change Itunes media location - Edit / Preferences / Advanced / media location
Change default download of browser - Firefox - Options / General tab (This changed automatically by changing the download location)

Other Notes:
Set up Programs in new directory
(1) Find the install path for the program in the registry (usually under local machine\software) and change the keys that have a drive letter included to the new drive
(2) Have a look for any config files within the program data itself for any that may contain a drive letter and update accordingly
(3) Update any shortcuts to the new drive location
All else fails - Reinstall

Change windows default install directory

Let me know if you have any questions.