How to Install an SSD in a Netbook and Test the Speed Improvement with HD Tune
Take your stopwatch and start it at the same time you turn on your netbook., Visit HD Tune and download the latest version. , Open and run the program., Shut down the computer and remove the battery. , Make sure you ground yourself before touching...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Take your stopwatch and start it at the same time you turn on your netbook.
When your operating system loads (Windows or Linux), double click to open an internet window.
Stop the stopwatch when the internet window is showing your home page.
Note the time it took.
This is your load time. (The time can be a rough estimation if you want, i.e. : 1 min or 50 s.) ,, Start the test in the “Benchmark” tab.
The running time may take up to 5 minutes depending on your hard drive speed.
Once the program is done note the seek time and average transfer rate. ,, To do so, simply touch the screw on a wall outlet.
This will remove all static electricity built up in your body that could damage the fragile computer parts. , If there is more than one cover you can open, the one for the HDD is marked with 2 arrows pointing towards a circle in the middle.
A little force may be required, sometimes a lot, be careful not to snap anything. , (If you are not sure you can take it apart and put it back together I suggest you take a picture before every step you do so you will have a visual aid to re-do what you did backwards.) Sometimes a metal encasing can be holding the HDD, like in my case, make sure to remove it also. , Re-assemble everything.
Make sure not to forget any screws or not to tight them too much. (If the metal starts bending, it might be a sign that it is too tight.) , Insert your Operating system DVD. , By default the computer is looking at the HDD for instructions on what to do but since your HDD is empty, we need to tell it to look at the DVD instead.
Once in the BIOS, look for an option called Booting, Boot sequence, Boot, Startup or something similar.
Make sure the DVD reader is selected as your primary boot device.
Exit and save BIOS. , Exit and save BIOS.
Unplug DVD reader, you are done with it. -
Step 2: Visit HD Tune and download the latest version.
, Once again, your numbers will be much faster. -
Step 3: Open and run the program.
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Step 4: Shut down the computer and remove the battery.
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Step 5: Make sure you ground yourself before touching the internal parts of the netbook.
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Step 6: Take your Philips screwdriver and open the back cover of the netbook to expose the HDD and RAM (in my case).
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Step 7: Remove all the necessary screws to free ONLY the HDD.
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Step 8: Switch the old HDD with the new SSD.
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Step 9: Plug in the AC adapter for your netbook and plug in the external DVD reader.
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Step 10: Turn on the computer and press F2 or DEL when the manufacturer logo screen appears to access your computer’s BIOS.
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Step 11: Re-start the computer
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Step 12: access your BIOS again and make sure to put your now formatted SSD as your first boot device.
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Step 13: Re-start computer and time the load time like before.
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Step 14: Download and run HD Tune.
Detailed Guide
When your operating system loads (Windows or Linux), double click to open an internet window.
Stop the stopwatch when the internet window is showing your home page.
Note the time it took.
This is your load time. (The time can be a rough estimation if you want, i.e. : 1 min or 50 s.) ,, Start the test in the “Benchmark” tab.
The running time may take up to 5 minutes depending on your hard drive speed.
Once the program is done note the seek time and average transfer rate. ,, To do so, simply touch the screw on a wall outlet.
This will remove all static electricity built up in your body that could damage the fragile computer parts. , If there is more than one cover you can open, the one for the HDD is marked with 2 arrows pointing towards a circle in the middle.
A little force may be required, sometimes a lot, be careful not to snap anything. , (If you are not sure you can take it apart and put it back together I suggest you take a picture before every step you do so you will have a visual aid to re-do what you did backwards.) Sometimes a metal encasing can be holding the HDD, like in my case, make sure to remove it also. , Re-assemble everything.
Make sure not to forget any screws or not to tight them too much. (If the metal starts bending, it might be a sign that it is too tight.) , Insert your Operating system DVD. , By default the computer is looking at the HDD for instructions on what to do but since your HDD is empty, we need to tell it to look at the DVD instead.
Once in the BIOS, look for an option called Booting, Boot sequence, Boot, Startup or something similar.
Make sure the DVD reader is selected as your primary boot device.
Exit and save BIOS. , Exit and save BIOS.
Unplug DVD reader, you are done with it.
, Once again, your numbers will be much faster.
About the Author
Sophia Sullivan
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in hobbies and beyond.
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