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November 25th, 2023 21:13
Hard Drive / Setup Questions
We just bought a Model i5420-7166WHT-PUS all-in-one for our granddaughter at Costco. It’s on the way now.
It has a 256gb SSD and a 1TB Hard Disk Drive. Is this ok? Does Dell put the Operating System on the SSD? Will there be a sacrifice in performance with the Hard Disk Drive? I haven’t seen a setup like this. I think the hard disk is a 5400.
Should I consider swapping the Hard Disk with an EVO 870?
For backup, should I get an external drive? Can I make restore disks with Windows 11?
let me know your thoughts.
Want thus to be perfect for her! 😂
Thanks!
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JOcean
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November 26th, 2023 00:20
More than likely the OS will be on the SSD and the daily operation from that drive should be quite snappy (I always wanted to post something like that..a sign of old age I guess). The HDD can be used for storage, games, apps, etc. Would I swap the HDD for a large SSD, absolutely if it were my system just for the much quicker access to the prior mentioned programs. You can use an external drive for that and why not use the HDD as an external storage device. You can use the Windows built in backup and restore feature or a free program such as Macrium Reflect Free, my favourite, available here at Major Geeks.
mmitsch
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November 26th, 2023 02:55
@JOcean
Thank you very much for the quick answer!
I like your idea of using the HDD as an external backup as well - need to look for a case.
Do you think the 256gb SSD is ok? And would a Samsung EVO 870 be a good 2.5” add on? Is there some way I can be sure the OS is on the 256gb one?
Would I need to clone the existing HDD to a 2.5 SSD?
And I’ll look for Macrium software tonight.
Thanks!
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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November 26th, 2023 03:00
You probably want to change the Windows default folders location to the 1T HDD to conserve space on the 256 GB SSD.
Not every app has to be installed on the same drive (C:) where Windows is saved, so they could be installed on the 1T (D:) drive. Personal files should all be saved on the D: too.
(edited)
mmitsch
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November 26th, 2023 03:21
@RoHe
Thank you very much!
i don’t know too much about Windows 11 and that link is helpful!
If we get her Office 365 that would go on the HDD as well, correct?
RoHe
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November 27th, 2023 20:10
Microsoft doesn't make life easy. They want Office 365 to be on the same drive as Windows, and if you just click-to-launch the installer, it won't give you any say in the matter.
That said, there are hacks that let you move Office 365 onto the D: HDD, after it's already installed on the C: SSD, or install it for the very first time directly on the HDD. Either way, read/follow the instructions carefully.
Even if you install and leave Office 365 on the C: SSD, move the Windows default folders so personal files will always be saved on the HDD.
dunkuk
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December 5th, 2023 21:58
I'd suggest leaving the documents and personal files on the SSD C drive and backing them up every now and then to the spinning drive. You can see the drive sizes in file explorer and work out which is which.
A 256gb drive is easily big enough for most people.
Office would go on the system drive, same as windows, the 256gb drive as its faster.
Rescuezilla is a good option for backups of whole drive, you can create an image of the whole drive which you can put back on the drive if something goes wrong, I think it dowloads as an iso file and has to be put on a USB stick but it is free and you can use Rufus software to put it onto a stick.