Help installing msata ssd in MSI GE60 and recovery disc questions

[bbrian]

Hello, I recently purchased a MSI GE60 0ND-042US. I have already installed my RAM upgrade very easily, but I am a little confused about installing the msata ssd I have purchased (http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139948). I have read that I need to insert the ssd drive and then screw it down to the board. So I will need to insert the ssd at an angle, similar to how I would insert laptop RAM, and then just push it down to screw it in? Is there a standard size for the screw that I need, or do I just need to guess at which size I need, and will the hardware store likely have a screw small enough?

Finally, my computer did not come with windows 7 installation discs, but I was able to burn my own using the MSI Burn Recovery program. Will these discs allow me to install a completely new Windows 7 install on the ssd? I understand that I should disconnect my old HDD completely before attempting to install Windows 7 on the ssd; is this necessary?

Below are some pictures of where the sdd should be. Is the circled screwhole where I should be screwing down the ssd? It looks like the wires might be in the way.

http/i.imgur.com/3Kgtc.jpg

http/i.imgur.com/NS03n.jpg

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[bbrian]

Bump? Any help here? I was hoping I'd get a response before I went out looking for the screw to try it out.

 

[bbrian]

Well hopefully my experience can help someone else.


I had to simply guess at the screw size. I went to the hardware store and picked up an assortment of the smallest stainless steal screws that they had. I ended up using the second smallest in diameter, but it was still too long, so I actually clipped and filed it down

The burned MSI Recovery discs did NOT WORK for installing a new windows installation, but I found .iso versions of Windows 7 available online over at lifehacker (http/www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/). I removed my HDD, and started my computer, booting from the disc drive(had the dvd with the burned iso on it).

Then I just followed the installation instructions to install a clean copy of Windows 7, entering my product key form the sticker on the bottom of the laptop . That went perfectly, and windows installed correctly to the ssd. Then I just used the computer management tool in Windows 7 to format the old HDD to be used for data.

Overall, it was a very easy experience.

 

[chaosrecords]

Well hopefully my experience can help someone else.


I had to simply guess at the screw size. I went to the hardware store and picked up an assortment of the smallest stainless steal screws that they had. I ended up using the second smallest in diameter, but it was still too long, so I actually clipped and filed it down

The burned MSI Recovery discs did NOT WORK for installing a new windows installation, but I found .iso versions of Windows 7 available online over at lifehacker (http/www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/). I removed my HDD, and started my computer, booting from the disc drive(had the dvd with the burned iso on it).

Then I just followed the installation instructions to install a clean copy of Windows 7, entering my product key form the sticker on the bottom of the laptop . That went perfectly, and windows installed correctly to the ssd. Then I just used the computer management tool in Windows 7 to format the old HDD to be used for data.

Overall, it was a very easy experience.

This is good info.

I am doing the same thing this week, and i prefer a "fresh install" of windows 7 versus a bundled manufacturer setup.

If you go to MSIs website they have all new versions of the preinstalled software from the factory ISO discs we create.
http/www.msi.com/service/download/


My suggestion is to do a clean install, then only add the features you want.
Get the nvidia drivers from nvidia.com directly- they are the most up to date.

the S Bar, SuperCharge, Intel Drivers, webcam software, Elantech Touchpad are all available from MSI and are pretty up to date.

Remember you will need some of the software from MSI to get the top buttons to work properly and the Function key shortcuts. there is a program called "Live Update 5" which you can CHOOSE the software you want to install.

Luckily MSI dosent issue too much bloatware, most of it is useful, but some of the things they include just weren't needed for me.. like the MAGIX utilities...