Same as here: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Then copy User folders from your backup to the data drive, move the active User folders in the new install as shown in User Folders - Change Default Location.
You'll need to use another imaging program besides Win7 backup imaging if you do this because it will want to include the data drive as a System drive.
Only if you have issues do you need to concern yourself with SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums
Any user folder with ANY data I'd care about sits on my server. My biggest issue has been some wanted to be indexed by Win7 before I could use it as a default folder [My Documents is now on it's own dedicated drive] and I had to edit the registry to get it to work [such a P.I.T.A.] [Docs, Music, Pics, Favorites, Program Files, and Desktop to name a few that sit on my server
In that case just right click each of the User folders on the data drive and link them to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums.
In each Library set that as the Default Save Location.
Keep the C User folder in the Library so you can monitor it to see if anything writes there and just drag it to the data drive.
This avoids moving System folders which can present problems such as with imaging and perhaps that you encountered.
OK. My SSD is up and booting to Win7 [very quickly] and I made a temp user named Temp because I didn't know about the editing of user accounts during the install.
For some reason, I can't boot off the the Win7 HD [was disconnected during the SSD install, so no dual boot] it stops halfway through the splash screen and the system restarts [even if I boot in safe mode]
I can read the drive, it seems fine. I did notice the SATA connector on the motherboard is not IDE, it is now AHCI [ports 1-4 & SSD is on 1, where the HD was]
Should I just create a new account, or can I still move the existing one? [Mostly it's the path settings I'm interested in...]
If you installed to the SSD correctly in AHCI mode but the HD was originally installed in IDE mode then unless your mobo gives you separate SATA controller settings you'd need to follow the steps here to change the HD to AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista - Windows 7 Forums
I dont exactly follow what you did by installing with a Temp account, but if that was the owner Admin account set up during install it will never completely go away due to MS security policy, even if you change its name. That's probably what I would do, then try linking your User folders to their Library as I suggested above if changing their location causes complications: User Folders - Change Default Location. The link also shows how to set the new location as Default Save Location for each Library:
Tip
If you are just wanting to save HDD space, then you might consider this below to be able to access the files from your libraries with the files actually located where you like instead. This way you will not have to worry about any potential issues that come with moving user folder locations. For example, whatever partition you move your user folders to will now be included in a system image in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
- Create a new folder at any location you want.
- Move any files you want into the new folder.
- Include the new folder into a library of your choice.
- If you like, you can also set the new folder to be the default "save" to location for the library as well.
To complete the install, I just typed "Temp" as the user name. I figured I'd just copy over the other account. Decided to just make it and edit each folder manually. [I think I got them all]
Interesting tip. Keeping all the data on my server makes everything accessible anywhere in the house [or over the 'net] so I don't have to go searching...Tip
If you are just wanting to save HDD space, then you might consider this below to be able to access the files from your libraries with the files actually located where you like instead. This way you will not have to worry about any potential issues that come with moving user folder locations. For example, whatever partition you move your user folders to will now be included in a system image in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
- Create a new folder at any location you want.
- Move any files you want into the new folder.
- Include the new folder into a library of your choice.
- If you like, you can also set the new folder to be the default "save" to location for the library as well.
Yes, I keep all of my User folders stored on Skydrive in the cloud, having Moved the active User folders on each PC to the Skydrive folder that sync's to the cloud. This setup is detailed in Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Help Forums
So you could possibly do the same moving User folders, however if the Server goes offline do you still have a hard copy of the files on your PC as with Skydrive?
If not then linking via Libraries to the Server is your best solution.
I was only explaining how there might be similarity in moving your User folders if the server gives you a hard copy to link to. I was not promoting SkyDrive at all, nor did I think it applied to you in this case.
I also have no interest in promoting Skydrive except to relate to others who are interested in how it's worked well for me to Sync and store files. I also got in when they were offering 25gb free instead of 8gb now.
If you are going to have that attitude, I am going to say I am sorry for accusing you of advertising SkyDrive.
Those cloud drives CAN be nice, but they can also be a pain in the rump. I use DropBox, and gave access to a friend of mine. He can't use his because his friend uses his hard and it all shows up in my friend's. We were using it to share code, but he couldn't anymore.
There is one I got when I upgraded to my current cellphone, but there is an issue, and I can't have what they promised. Their tech support has been no help.
I use my server as cloud storage for my phone now...
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