How to Install SSD As a Boot Disk in Vista 64

Solid state drives (SSDs) provide an incredibly fast boot time with Windows Vista 64-bit edition. The operating system can load in under a minute using a SSD to boot from. The SSD does not have any moving parts, unlike normal hard drives, and can achieve much higher read speeds. You must install Windows Vista 64 on the SSD if you wish to use it as a boot drive and take advantage of its speed.

Things You'll Need

• Windows Vista 64-bit installation disk
• Computer with SSD installed

Instructions

1. Back up any data on the SSD. Put the Windows Vista 64-bit disk in your optical drive and restart your computer. Press any key at the message "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD."

2. Choose your language, time and currency and keyboard options from the drop down menus on the first installation screen. Click "Next." Click "Install Now." Enter the product key located on the DVD packaging. Click "Next."

3. Choose the specific version of Windows Vista that you are installing from the list. Click "Next." Check the "I accept the license terms" box and click "Next."

4. Choose the "Custom (Advanced)" installation. Select your SSD in the list of drives. Choose "New" to partition the drive if this is a new SSD. Choose "Delete" then "New" if this is a drive you have used previously. Click "Apply" to make a single partition drive. Choose a smaller number than the default presented if you wish to make multiple partitions, then click "Apply." Click "Next" to have the Windows Vista installation create the partition and format the drive. The computer reboots once all files are copied to the SSD. It finalizes the installation process and reboots a final time.

5. Press the indicated key to go into BIOS. The key you need to hit differs from computer to computer. Typical keys are F6 or DEL to enter BIOS settings, but you'll usually see a message telling you what to hit. Look through the list of options to find Boot Order options. You may have to enter the sub-menus until you find the boot order listing.

6. Choose your SDD and use the on-screen instructions to set it as the first boot device. This process varies between different BIOS versions, but you usually enter number 1 to set it as the first boot device or use the plus key to move the SDD to the top of the boot order list. Hit the save key, usually F10 and hit "ESC." Your computer will now boot from the Vista 64 installation on your SDD.

References

• Go Computer Training: Setup Windows Vista
• Help Desk Geek: How to change the boot order