Windows 7: Installation issue w/W7 & SSD/ HDD

I just build my first computer (core i7, Sabertooth X58 MB, 64GB SSD, 1TB HDD) and installed Windows 7 HP 64B. I wanted OS on SSD and only save data on HDD.

The drive boot order is first HDD and then SSD. I want to minimize start up time and not place any OS files on HDD.

More importantly, Windows partitioned 1 TB HDD into 2 parts (100MB & 930GB). One part was set up as System Reserve drive. It uses 30 MB and the rest is free. Windows OS takes up about 24GB on SSD.

How can I find out what OS files are on my HDD? If there are any Window/ system files on my HDD, can I easily move them to SSD?

1. If the SSD is not on port0 during the installation (with the HDD attached) you can expect all kinds of problems - e.g. what you see now that the active partition landed on the HDD. That is not a good scenario.

2. I suggest you reinstall with only the SSD attached

3. You can move the 100MB partition to the SSD, but that is going to be complicated and you will also have to change the MBR to point to it.

4. The way your system was installed, I am not sure whether the SSD is properly aligned - and that will significantly degrade your performance if not. You can check that, see here: SSD Alignment

5. 24GBs for the OS only is kind of big for a new system. What else is on the SSD.

WHS: thanks for your feedback.
1. My SSD is Disk 1 and HDD is Disk 0.
2. Reinstalling with only SSD attached can be done. Besides unplugging HDD, do I just insert Windows 7 disk and reboot system? Will this reformat my SSD?
5. I should have stated that OS and some programs/ files take up 24GB.

you could copy your existing install to the new ssd . Usually the ssd manufacturers have utilities for this ..

then you could do this .. User Profile - Change Default Location

Not that easy the way it is mucked up.

You could change the boot order , make the dvd drive boot first , then your ssd , restart follow the prompts , install windows 7 - then before you install all your programs then do this . User Profile - Change Default Location

TOTAL, None of this will work. The problem here is that the bootmgr and the system are on different disks.

KACHINA, And yes, you can just do a reinstall with the Windows 7 installation disk. Alignment, etc. will be done by the installer. You will have to reinstall the programs that you got after the intial installation though. And make sure you detach the HDD this time.

You might also want to change the cables to set the SSD to port0. No need for the BIOS to go thru the HDD for booting.

WHS: thanks for the advice
Total: Can one use a formatting tool on SDD, which has OS running on it? Or do I need to connect it to another computer and run formatting tool?

Hello kachina, welcome to Seven Forums!



The easiest way to do what you need without having to reinstall Windows 7 is to power down the PC and disconnect the data cable of the Hard Disk Drive from the motherboard, leaving only the SSD connected to the #0/1 (however it's numbered) SATA port of the mobo.

Set the SSD as the second boot device after the CD/DVD drive and boot the Windows 7 installation DVD to diskpart, then using the outline in Option Two #1 of this first tutorial at the link below, mark the Windows 7 partition on the SSD as Active then do the 3 startup repairs with the separate restarts needed to create the Windows 7 boot files to the SSD.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7


When that's finished, power down and reconnect the HDD to the mobo and set the SSD as the first boot device in the BIOS and all will be well and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed

The method that BFK suggests is good provided your C partition is properly aligned. You have to check that first (see this link). BFK's method will get rid of the 100MB partition and move the bootmgr to C. You then should also set the 100MB partition on the HDD as inactive or delete it all together. It will not really hurt as long as the HDD is third in line for booting, but there is no need for the 100MB partition any more once you moved the bootmgr.

If your C partition is not properly aligned, you have to reinstall. There is no need to preformat the SSD in that case.