Creative solution to install Win7 on new SSD, laptop

Quote from Bolimomo:

"... I am trying something like "disk clone" kind of app and see if I can clone my existing SSD to the new SSD. Hopefully that would boot.
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Not sure if it would solve your problem, but Macrium Reflect (Pro version) claims you can restore an image to "dissimilar hardware".
 
For the original method (install W7 on a desktop then move HD to laptop), can you try booting into safe mode on the laptop first, then reboot? This might reinit the drivers and fix any issues with regard to the different hardware. Worth a shot.
 
Did you consider eBay for a replacement HP DVD drive?

Might be possible.

Another note - if you spent less than $300 for this laptop, I'm pretty sure you're in the loss column by now... Why not scrap it and get something less citrusy?
 
Quote from Scataphagos:

And because of experiences like yours, I'm not partial to laptops... though I have a Dell Precision Mobile Workstation which has been 100% perfect for nearly 5 years.
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I am not partial to laptops either, Scat. Nor to tablets, nor to iphones. I just need something that addresses my need. And I hate gadgets without a keyboard or can only type with miniature fingers.

The limitation with laptops is there is not much you can do to modify things. I do pretty all the charts on desktops at home. But I need to be able to trade on a trip. I also do all my creative works (writing journals, photoshops, etc.) and book-keeping on my laptop.
 
Quote from Scataphagos:

Not sure if it would solve your problem, but Macrium Reflect (Pro version) claims you can restore an image to "dissimilar hardware".
More...

I think my version of Acronis Image Home can do restore to dissimilar hardware too. Thanks. I need to check.
 
Quote from murrica:

For the original method (install W7 on a desktop then move HD to laptop), can you try booting into safe mode on the laptop first, then reboot? This might reinit the drivers and fix any issues with regard to the different hardware. Worth a shot.
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Thanks for the additional idea. I will give that a try. Not sure if I can force it to go to safe mode. As the blue screen happens very fast - about 2 seconds into booting Windows normally. It has to be some driver or some configuration that is way wrong.
 
Quote from Bolimomo:

Thanks for the additional idea. I will give that a try. Not sure if I can force it to go to safe mode. As the blue screen happens very fast - about 2 seconds into booting Windows normally. It has to be some driver or some configuration that is way wrong.
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Sure thing. However, even if this were to work, I would be skeptical that you could rely on the machine for anything mission critical with such an approach.
 
I checked eBay for HP compatible drives (bay mount, not USB)... had some for $10-ish. Would try that before getting crazy on other attempts.
 
Quote from blah12345678:

Did you consider eBay for a replacement HP DVD drive?

Another note - if you spent less than $300 for this laptop, I'm pretty sure you're in the loss column by now... Why not scrap it and get something less citrusy?
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Thanks for the suggestions, blah12345678.

Unfortunately my laptop costs me way over $1000. It is one that has a 18.3 inch screen (which I like very much and no vendor seems to offer it any more with the new models) and an i7 processor. If it was only a $300 laptop I would buy a new one in a jiffy. I am trying to extend its life for a little longer. But you have a good point, if I can spend only $300 in today's market to buy a laptop with similar capability, why deal with the hassle, right?

The laptop itself still works okay. Jut no DVD. I can attach a USB-DVD for that need usually. Only comes time to reload the Windows OS, like now...
 
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