How to connect SSD to a laptop

Connecting an SSD to a laptop has many advantages: quick startup of Windows (OS startup time is reduced by almost 3 times), longer mobile PC operation from a battery, the SSD is much more resistant to mechanical shock, there is no rattle (which can often be heard on certain models of HDD devices )

Important points before connecting

Despite the fact that connecting an SSD-drive is a fairly simple process that even a novice user will cope with, you must immediately say that everything that is done will be done at your own risk and fear. Also, in certain situations, the installation of an external drive may be the reason for removing the laptop from the warranty.

What you need to work:

• directly SSD drive and laptop;
• straight and Phillips screwdrivers (most likely the latter, this will depend on the method of mounting the device case);
• a bank card (or any other, since using it is most convenient to pry off the cover that protects the hard drive and laptop RAM);
• flash drive or external storage drive (if you decide to replace the usual hard drive with an SSD drive, then most likely there are some documents that need to be transferred from the old drive. Later they are copied from the flash drive to the new SSD device).

It must be said right away that there are several options for connecting an SSD to a laptop:

1. Remove the old hard drive and install a new SSD drive instead. To use the data that is on the old HDD - you must first transfer all information to other drives before installing a new device.
2. Connect an SSD instead of an optical CD drive. Why will you need a special adapter. The meaning is as follows: we take out the drive and install the adapter (where the SSD device is pre-installed). When you purchase an adapter, you need to pay attention to its thickness. There are simply several types of adapters: 9.5 and 12.7 mm. To determine what is required in a particular case, you can do this: launch, for example, the AIDA application, determine the drive model and then find its parameters on the network. In addition, you can disconnect the drive and measure it with a ruler.
3. This is the opposite way, unlike the second option: the SSD is installed in place of the old hard drive, and the HDD is put in place of the drive using the same adapter. This method is much preferable.
4. The last way: connect the SSD to the place of the old hard drive, but for the HDD you need to purchase a special box to connect to the USB-connector. So it will be possible to use both external drives. The disadvantage is another cord and an additional box on the countertop (for mobile PCs that are regularly transported is not the best option).

Connect SSD to laptop: step by step instructions

The most commonly used option is:

1. First, turn off the laptop and remove all the cords from the device (charger, speakers, mouse, external drives). Then turn the laptop over - there must be a lid on the back of the case that closes the hard drive and battery. You take out the battery by sliding the latches on the sides. Fixing on different devices may vary slightly.
2. Then, when the battery is removed, remove the bolts that secure the cover.
3. Winchester laptops are usually secured with two screws. To get a disk, you just need to unscrew them, and then remove the drive from the SATA port. Now you need to install the SSD instead and tighten the bolts. This is pretty simple.
4. When the disk is replaced, you need to fasten the cover with a bolt and install the battery back. Connect all the cords (that were previously disconnected) to the mobile PC and turn on the laptop. During startup, you immediately need to enter the BIOS.

Reference! When the menu opens, you need to determine an important point: will a new hard drive appear in BIOS. As a rule, in laptops in BIOS, the model of the drive is indicated in the first menu (Main).

If the hard drive is not defined, then the probable causes of the malfunction are:

1. Old BIOS.
2. A non-working SSD device (if possible, it is best to do a check on another laptop).
3. There is no contact with the SATA port (probably the hard drive was not completely installed in the connector).

If the drive is defined, you need to check its operation mode (you need to install AHCI). In BIOS, this menu is usually called Advanced. If a different status is specified in the parameters, you need to switch to ACHI, then save it in the BIOS settings and exit.

After setting the required parameters - you can start installing Windows and setting it up for SSD. By the way, after connecting an SSD, it is best to re-install Windows. Simply, during the installation of the operating system, it will independently configure the services for normal operation with the SSD device.