Calling Upon All Computer Nerds To Help Me Out
Hello all,
Thank you for taking out the time to read this. I have an HP Notebook – 14-am119tx (https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c05...29). It’s a 2017 model and hence out of warranty and HP could not care about this product anymore. Regardless, I want to upgrade to an SSD.
I am considering the Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SATA 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (MZ-76E500) for this upgrade (https://www.amazon.in/Samsung-500GB-Internal-So...)
I am largely inexperienced with this entire process so I could use some help with the following questions -
1. Is this SSD compatible with my laptop?
2. Is it worth the upgrade or should I consider investing in a new laptop all together? Everything works fine but it is just slow.
3. Can I install this at home or should I take it to some professional?
4. How can I port Windows 10 from the old HDD to the new SSD once it is replaced?
5. Would I also need to upgrade my RAM (currently 8 GB) or will the SSD upgrade be a huge improvement on its own?
Thank you in advance for your inputs.
- Sort By
1. Is this SSD compatible with my laptop?
Yes, it is compatible
2. Is it worth the upgrade or should I consider investing in a new laptop all together? Everything works fine but it is just slow.
It is definitely worth, since it is a 2017 mode. But I will leave the decision to you.
3. Can I install this at home or should I take it to some professional?
Can be done provided you know what you are dealing with
4. How can I port Windows 10 from the old HDD to the new SSD once it is replaced?
Not sure if you have a genuine windows incense. If genuine, you can move this license
5. Would I also need to upgrade my RAM (currently 8 GB) or will the SSD upgrade be a huge improvement on its own?
SSD will be a huge improvement.
I have a 2007 model Dell Laptop. It has 2Gb RAM and I tried SSD on it since I have a SSD to spare without any RAM upgrade. Windows 10 is blazingly fast for the config it has. SSD did all the magic here.
@andromeda Thank you!
Since you are inexperienced in handling all this, I would say not to make your laptop a scapegoat. Better approach a techie friend who can do or pay for a professional. Where are you located by the way?
Recently I installed WIN 10 x64 as a dual boot into my dell laptop which came with Win 7.
Downloaded the WIN 10 installation image from Microsoft site.
At the time of installation i skipped page where it asked for the Win 10 product key.
After installation and using it for a week now, it has not asked anything about activation.
Do you think, WIN 10 automatically activates itself if the machine originally came with Genuine WIN installed?
There is something called ‘system image’ I think with this we can backup ‘full’ system and restore the same.
Also, there is option to create a GHOST cd (for the C-drive only) and restore after you are done with the upgrades.
PS – I haven’t tried any of these, please Google for any help on these.
SSd is compatible. Replacing hdd in any laptop model with ssd will make a night & day difference in overall performance. It is better to take it to some laptop shop but don’t let your laptop/ssd be away from your eyes as this can done in front of your eyes over the counter within 5-10 min. Nowadays pre-installed win 10 activation info is saved on Microsoft own servers so next time you reinstall windows or just do things like upgrading ram/ssd(basically as long as you don’t replace/modify your laptop motherboard) then just install same win 10 version as pre-installed(usually win 10 home) & after connecting to net win 10 will be auto activated within few minutes. However you don’t even need to do this because samsung ssd comes with samsung magician software(must have for samsung ssd users, https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/... ) & data migration software(same download page as magician software) using which you can clone your existing windows install to samsung ssd(basically put your ssd in this https://www.amazon.in/ORICO-Transparent-USB3-En... & then connect via usb & run the software to clone your windows install to ssd. After that replace hdd with ssd or buy a caddy & install the ssd in dvd drive place https://www.amazon.in/Storite-Optical-Drive-Cad... ).
If you are from Mumbai, I will do it for free…..
@myfungang829 Thank you so much for your offer but I am currently in Delhi.
Here are my suggestions:
1. Is this SSD compatible with my laptop?
Yes. The SSD you shared has a SATA interface and the hard disk that came with your laptop also has SATA interface.
2. Is it worth the upgrade or should I consider investing in a new laptop altogether? Everything works fine but it is just slow.
Upgrading regular drive to SATA is indeed worth an investment. You will in fact see faster booting of Windows and execution of software with the new SSD. For even faster performance you can go for the Samsung PRO series too. The only problem I see that your laptop came with a 1TB hard disk but you are replacing it with a 500GB drive. So you are loosing 500GB of space.
3. Can I install this at home or should I take it to some professional?
It is possible to do the upgrade yourself if you are comfortable playing around with electronics. If you think you do not want to take that risk, then get help from a techie friend or professional like @andromeda suggested.
To do the upgrade, you need to open the screens of the back case of the laptop, take out the DVD drive, take out the battery, loosen the case from the body by unclipping the joints to gain access to the inside. Once inside, you need to take out the 4 screws of the hard disk case, unplug the SATA cable from the hard disk, and replace it with the new SSD drive. Once done, then plug the cable back and do all the steps in reverse order. See the video here:
on what to do to gain access to the internals of the laptop.4. How can I port Windows 10 from the old HDD to the new SSD once it is replaced?
Your laptop came with Windows 10 Home 64 preinstalled which is a genuine copy and you must have activated it using your Microsoft login credentials. As a result, the license got tied up with your Microsoft ID. Before you replace the hard disk, you can simply download the ISO of Windows 10 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-downlo...) and create a bootable installation setup on a pen drive (8GB/16GB capacity minimum), and then after the replacement, boot from the pen drive and install Windows 10 from there. Once Windows 10 is installed you will simply have to log in with the same Microsoft credentials and your windows will be activated instantly.
5. Would I also need to upgrade my RAM (currently 8 GB) or will the SSD upgrade be a huge improvement on its own?
Upgrading RAM will also help with system performance, but 8GB is good enough for you if you use the laptop for day-to-day use and not performance-heavy things like gaming, video editing etc. SSD upgrade is definitely a good improvement by itself.
P.S. If you are worried about your system is slow, the best and cost-effective solution is to either do a factory reset of the windows or just do a format and reinstall. For doing the reinstall just refer to my answer for point 4 above.
@bdatta1981 Thank you!
4. You can use Macrium Reflect free edition to clone your existing hard drive. Pretty easy.
2. Upgrade is worth but 860 priced at 6800 isn’t. I’m using 850 Evo, provides me read/write speeds of 549/522. I don’t think 860 will give you any better considering 600 is the theoretical max offered by sata-3, on your motherboard.
You can do everything on your own. No need to spend anything. If not confident, invest some time watching YouTube videos on how to clone, install and do everything else
is it possible to get free upgrade to windows 10 from windows 7
It was… back when it was available for few users to upgrade… NOT ANYMORE
though I used Kmspico and I have no issues with that (Home PC)
Regarding software, you will have to reinstall OS and all software’s currently installed. Make a list of what u have before u start. Download bootable iso and create bootable USB thru Rufus.
Regarding hardware changes any expert may comment….