Help with transfering OS to SSD

Hay!

I bought a new SSD and i want to put it inside of my Desktop computer, and transfer just my OS (Windows 7 x64) and a couple select programs to it while keeping my current HDD as well. I want to put my OS on the SSD so i have faster startup times and some programs will be much faster. i don't want to get rid of my HDD because it still has a lot of my data on it that i still want to access and be able to play some other games from which are on it as well.

Newegg.com - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

My HDD is 1 TB in size and has about 400GB used so far, i only want to transfer the OS and a few programs, is there anyway for me to safely do this once it arrives?

How exactly do i go about transferring my OS to my SSD from my HDD? Do i need to do a fresh install on just the SSD with my HDD unplugged and then try re-connecting both of them? perhaps some type of cloning or imaging software that will do this for me?

I only have one copy of windows 7 that i bought from newegg which is a CD with my key and such on it, if i did a fresh install, then how would i get all my settings to come back from my HDD?

Lucy77 said:

perhaps some type of cloning or imaging software that will do this for me?

I only have one copy of windows 7 that i bought from newegg which is a CD with my key and such on it, if i did a fresh install, then how would i get all my settings to come back from my HDD?

Cloning or imaging will work, but imaging is used more often on this forum.

You only need the one key that you already have. If you do a clean install, you would have to reinstall all programs. Windows has a feature called Windows Easy Transfer to move settings, but it doesn't work very well in my experience. If I did a clean install, I'd plan on re-doing all configuration and settings.

After you get the SSD running, you can reconnect the old drive and re-partition it to use any way you want.

Sorry, i don't really know much about this 'partitioning', i'm very new to this kind of thing.

If i where to un-plug my current HDD and put in the SSD > Install windows 7 > power down > hook my old HDD back up as well along side the SDD > set boot priority to the SSD > and boot up, would i lose all of my programs on the HDD still? would my OS be running from the SDD but able to access my games and files on the HDD and have them there on the desktop or somewhere still since my HDD is also hooked up?

Your easiest way is to use the tutorial flatiron gave you to transfer the current setup from your HDD to your SSD.

When you've done that, you can use this tutorial to wipe and/or repartition your spinning drive as you wish.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/60/capturepb.png

I don't have another Physical drive to store my things on, only my original HDD and this new SSD (not yet installed), i also don't have a cd-burner to put anything on a disk if thats needed.

i don't wanna put everything on the SSD, just my OS while keeping all my data and able to access it just like its here right now.

The solution is quite simple.

Shrink the C drive on your spinner and create a new partion in the resultant unallocated space.

Move the personal data to the new partition and give the partition a name such as Data.

Disconnect the HDD from its SATA port and connect the SSD to that port, and then install Windows and your applications.

Once you are up and running we can then walk you through getting rid of your old Windows installation.

see comments in bold

Lucy77 said:

If i where to un-plug my current HDD and put in the SSD > Install windows 7 > power down > hook my old HDD back up as well along side the SDD > set boot priority to the SSD > and boot up, would i lose all of my programs on the HDD still?

If you did that, your personal data would be available as usual, but you would have to reinstall your programs. This is what you should plan on doing if you don't image or clone. Be SURE to disconnect your HDD before you install Windows to the SSD.



would my OS be running from the SDD but able to access my games and files on the HDD and have them there on the desktop or somewhere still since my HDD is also hooked up?

Your OS would be running from the SSD and be able to access ordinary data files on the HDD. I'm not sure if your games installed on the HDD would be usable. I doubt it.