From HDD to SSD - tuning the SSD

This is a summary of the steps to move from an HDD to an SSD based on what worked for me. To round it off, here are also some steps to be taken afterwards to tune your system better for an SSD.
My situation is as follows:

• The laptop is an HP Envy15-3012TX running Windows 7 Home Premium
• The disk uses a Dynamic MBR, complicating matters
• There are a few 'hidden' partitions holding the recovery software that need to be transferred as well
• The HDD (750GB) is much bigger than the SSD (250GB), which means partitions have to be shrunk and moved
• Recovery and repair disks are not available

From HDD to SSD - the mechanical bit

After the various attempts to clone my HDD to a new SDD worked, the next step was to physically pull out the HDD and install the SDD. This is an HP Envy15 (Model 15-3012TX) we are talking about. It is a bit weird - you actually need a Torx screwdriver just to change the battery. But when it comes to the HDD, it isn't too bad. The battery might be held with Torx T8 screws but all you need to pull out the HDD is a PH0 Phillips screwdriver.

From HDD to SSD - a traveller's travails

It had been a while since I have had my laptop and I thought now would be a good time to upgrade the HDD to one of those new fangled SSDs. Sucker!
This is not a step by step procedure of how to manage the transition from an HDD to an SSD. It is more about the problems I faced doing it. It may help those who hit the same problems. For the record, I did manage to overcome all issues and am now posting from my upgraded laptop.