Upgrading your Laptop to a Solid State Drive

Changing your hard drive from HDD Hard Disk Drive to SSD Solid State Drive can improve performance of the machine not just using SOLIDWORKS but in day-to-day use. This is because the data transfer over SSD is much greater, if the operating system is on the SSD the startup time can be massively improved.

Follow this step by step guide on migrating the data from your current machine over to a new SSD.

Tools Required

SSD

Ensure the file size is going to be sufficient to your needs. If you are currently running out of space on your HDD it would be beneficial to go for a larger capacity SSD. The capacity of the drive does not matter for this guide.

USB to SATA adapter

To migrate the data from your current hard drive to your new one you will need some sort of adaptor. This guide is using a USB 3.0 to SATA Adaptor as the machine has USB 3.0 installed and will significantly improve the time taken to migrate the data over using an older USB port. Check for “SS” on your USB ports, this stands for Super Speed and indicates the port is USB 3.0.

USB to SATA Adapter

Data Migration Software

Hard drive data migration software can be found online independently or may be provided by the manufacturer of the SSD. Ensure the software is capable of cloning the Operating system as well as all files.

Screwdriver

You will need a Screwdriver to remove and replace the hard drive.

Migrating the Data

Plug the new SSD into your current machine using the Adaptor.

Migrating Data

Open up your migration software and select the Source drive and the target drive.

Migration Software

Make any changes to settings that are necessary but to transfer all content of the drive and start the scan.

Migration Software

The time take to transfer the data will depend on the adaptor and amount of data being transferred. Once complete close down the software and shut down the machine.

Data Migration

Replace the Hard drive

To replace the hard drive shut down the machine and unplug the power supply. Flip the laptop over to reveal the underside.

Laptop underneath

There is a clasp in the centre of the back which when slid to the right will allow the bottom section to slide out.

Laptop underneath

Remove this section to reveal the hard drive.

There are 4 screws holding the hard drive cradle to the machine, remove the screws and release any clasp. The cradle can now be slid out of the SATA connection and removed from the machine.

Laptop Underneath

The hard drive is secured to the cradle using 4 screws, one in each corner of the cradle. Remove these to separate the components.

Laptop remove hard disk

Laptop disk replacement

Replace the HDD with the SSD ensuring correct orientation with the SATA connection on the machine.

Laptop disk replacement

Secure the SSD in the cradle and then the cradle to the machine and closing the clasp. Replace the back panel of the laptop making sure it is on securely.

Laptop disk replacement

Load up the machine to check the migration was successful.