Is it time to upgrade?

[clocker]

SSD= solid state drive, a flash based storage device.

[Gripper]

Cheers clocker knew you'd be on the ball will check em out,I think I remember you talking about them whenthey first came out...Ta very much

[mjmacky]

I've always done a fresh install when swapping drives, it's much more reliable.
From start to finish, it's easily done in under two hours (including all Windows updates) and is well worth the "hassle" to get the SSD speed.

I'm not worried about installation time, it's the tinkering time to get everything just the way I want it that bugs me. Not all of my programs are standard in using Appdata directory, a lot of stuff to keep track of that I've set up over time. 2 hours from a fresh install would be a major underestimation for my scenario. It really took me an entire day to recreate the environment I had in XP to Win7, and I'm not talking about OS differences either (it's just the only scenario in which I bit the bullet for fresh install).

[clocker]

Even if it did take an entire day, I'd still think it's worth doing.

I'd also see what I could do in future to streamline the process.
24 hours to set up a PC is absurd.

[tesco]

I've always done a fresh install when swapping drives, it's much more reliable.
From start to finish, it's easily done in under two hours (including all Windows updates) and is well worth the "hassle" to get the SSD speed.

I'm not worried about installation time, it's the tinkering time to get everything just the way I want it that bugs me. Not all of my programs are standard in using Appdata directory, a lot of stuff to keep track of that I've set up over time. 2 hours from a fresh install would be a major underestimation for my scenario. It really took me an entire day to recreate the environment I had in XP to Win7, and I'm not talking about OS differences either (it's just the only scenario in which I bit the bullet for fresh install).

Some programs do exist to copy an image of one hard drive to another (ssd in this case).
I'm not sure of any names so nothing to recommend, but I'm sure a little googling will turn up results then you can compare what you find to see what would work best for you.

I'm on clocker's side though, fresh install is the way to go.

[mjmacky]

Even if it did take an entire day, I'd still think it's worth doing.

I'd also see what I could do in future to streamline the process.
24 hours to set up a PC is absurd.

I feel it is absurd as well, but it's a day of digging through my program files folders, user folders, windows environment customizations (tons of these! e.g. environment variables, start menu, folder views, background slideshow, etc.), random folders that had their roles like avatars or MB software and things like that. Setting up shares again and custom standalone programs. I prepared for a "streamlined" process before, maybe 18-24 months ago, it's far from relevant now. I will probably wait until my HD dies to move to SSD. Thanks everyone for adding input though.

Some programs do exist to copy an image of one hard drive to another (ssd in this case).
I'm not sure of any names so nothing to recommend, but I'm sure a little googling will turn up results then you can compare what you find to see what would work best for you.

The ones I know of already aren't friendly going from larger capacity to smaller.

[clocker]

I will probably wait until my HD dies to move to SSD.

Not sure how that makes things any easier but it does cut down your response options.

[mjmacky]

I will probably wait until my HD dies to move to SSD.

Not sure how that makes things any easier but it does cut down your response options.

It doesn't make it any easier, it's an issue of willingness to go through all that only when I have no choice but to do that. I have eliminated the possibility of replacing my system drive with another moving parts disk. So when it dies, which could be next week or in 3 years, I'll slap an SSD there and set up everything all over again.

[bijoy]

your setup is just good, no need to upgrade that. but you should consider moving your os to ss drive.. You can understand the change in speed easily.. But that is too, is not necessary..

[Detale]

Some programs do exist to copy an image of one hard drive to another (ssd in this case).
I'm not sure of any names so nothing to recommend, but I'm sure a little googling will turn up results then you can compare what you find to see what would work best for you.

I'm on clocker's side though, fresh install is the way to go.

Oh nothing beats that new Windows 7 smell Also I use Acronis True Image, have for a while now. Just when I get all my ducks in a row I take a "snapshot" of the system and it's fantastic when it comes reinstall time. It can, but doesn't just do the whole disk image. you can pick and choose what to backup. Great program, try it

Even if it did take an entire day, I'd still think it's worth doing.

I'd also see what I could do in future to streamline the process.
24 hours to set up a PC is absurd.

24 hours?! I could do like 10 computers in that time and probably have