Migrating windows 7 to Intel 520 SSD ?

Southtown,
Welcome to SevenForums,

Southtown57 said:

Hi everyone, I just purchased a brand new computer (HP Phoenix desktop) with Windows 7 Home x64 and it included a Seagate 2TB internal HDD. When I was customizing my computer I could have put in a SSD for an adition 300 dollars and that wouldn't include my 2TB HDD lol.

So I got my computer today and ordered a Intel 520 120GB SSD that currently being shipped to me. I would like to install it to run my Windows OS and use my 2TB HDD for all other storage. I've been doing research about how to do this because I'm not very computer savy when it comes to this. General opinions I've seen on how to go about this is to do a fresh install on Windows on the SSD. But I have a few questions.

1) Intel's SSD's come with a software migration tool to move your C drive over to the SSD. I heard this is not the greatest option due to windows not properly setting everthing up correctly. But then I've read that this Intel software correctly aligns the SSD, activates TRIM, turn off disk defrag, etc.

Win 7 will setup your SSD pefectly with zero help from Intel.

2) My computer did not come with a Windows 7 disk. So if I did the clean install route onto the SSD would I just burn a system repair disk or burn a system clone disk? I clicked on the system clone burn and it said I would need like a 50GB disk? HP has a 2GB partition already on my HDD for backup and restore as well, would I have to do anything with that?

Easiest approach:
1. Download a Win 7.
2. Save your present Product Key
3. Disconnect the HDD
4. install Win 7 to the SSD.
5. reconnect your HDD.
6. change your documents, videos, music and pictures folders to point to your HDD.


3) I'm trying to think of the term (ACHI mode maybe?) but I noticed under BIOS my computer was already running in this mode. So I wouldn't have to change it for the SSD correct?
True.

4) After I migrate or clean install my OS to the SSD how hard is it to erase my old stuff off the HDD?
Piece of cake.


My lack of computer skills tells me to just to use the migration tool for simplicity and not to screw up a brand new computer. But I also want the SSD to run fully optimized.
Do not use the migration tool

Thanks for your time.

Use Belarc Security Advisor for your product key (which is 25 characters and also on a sticker on your computer).
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

To download a win 7 ISO:
Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

To burn the iso file to a DVD:
Simply double-click on the downloaded iso and follow the prompts.

Welcome to SevenForums.

Have a look at this excellent tutorial:
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

Regards,
Golden