Windows question

[Bags]

Hey, just picked up http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-239-045&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo on tigerdirect for $60 (was going to wait till xmas to get an SSD, but I couldn't pass up $0.50/gb on a reputable brand).

I won't be messing around with it until mid december (10th ish), but I'd figure I'd ask now.

I have an OEM version of windows, and I believe it says I can only use it on ONE computer. However, it's not going on a new computer, just a new drive and the old will be used for storage. Do you think I should call Microsoft tech about it (since it says not to on the box!) or am I sunk? I mean I assume if I called them up and told them my original HD died they'd have to release the key for me to re-use, no?

Thanks.

Also if there's anything I should know about using / installing / setting up an SSD vs normal HD I guess that'd be good to know.

[Rbstr]

Just install it with the old key.

It usually will just work.
Depending on how much changed and if you've done any reformats it may tell you to call them. Just tell them that you changed some parts. It only takes a couple minutes.

[Ailos]

Install as normal and if the automatic activation fails, chose the phone activation option. A robot will ask you "How many computers is this version of windows running on?" You say "one" and get your activation code,

[Bags]

Okay. Thanks. And if I leave the old HD in and set the SSD to the boot drive in the bios I can just access the old HDD's files through Computer --> F: or E: or WhateverLetter: yeah?

[Ailos]

I'd not connect the old HDD until after you've finished installing everything just to avoid the risk of accidentally wiping it during the install (the Windows installer sometimes has really weird ways of picking drive letters), but yeah, you should be able to just plug an play.

[Bags]

Thanks for the tip.

[Bags]

Okay. It arrived.

Anything else I should do when installing it besides unconnecting the old one?

also is there anything from this I should / show not do? http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-2/

[MrSmegz]

Okay. It arrived.

Anything else I should do when installing it besides unconnecting the old one?

also is there anything from this I should / show not do? http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-2/

All very good pointers, if you want to compare it to one Tom's did a while back, ill leave this link here... http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-performance-tweak,2911.html

[Bags]

Loving it so far.

windows is ~15 seconds, steam is instant, and PS2 launch time (from desktop to running around) went from 3 - 6 minutes to 30 seconds.