Windows 7: W7 on separate SSD

Hi All,

New to this forum, sorry I didn't find alot sooner

I am waiting for my new 128 SSD and Windows 7. I currently have Vista on my Hard dirve. I would like to make the Windows 7/SSD the new boot drive and just use the Vista HDD for storage.

Need some help on setting this up.

Thanks in advance!

I wrote a little guide for this purpose. If you have further questions, post back: SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

PS: Brink is right. if you make a new Windows 7 install from an installation disk, things are a lot easier. I recommend though to disconnect the HDD during the Windows 7 installation. You may still want to read the part about moving the user files.

Hello Captain Morgan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a retail copy of Windows 7, then you could format the Vista HDD during a clean install of Windows 7, then just select the SSD to install Windows 7 on.

Before you start, be sure that you have AHCI mode selected instead of IDE in your BIOS settings.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Your choice which way to proceed but, I too am a big supporter of just doing a clean install onto the new SSD.

Although it is quite possible to just move things over, a clean install may actually be much simpler in the long run.
Also the fact a clean installation is always a plus

As suggested, make sure you switch to AHCI mode.
But I would also like to add:
Unplug the other HD, leaving only the SSD connected when you do the clean install.
Hook the other back up back up once Windows is installed and up & running.

If you want to do a clean install on the SSD please disconnect the other drive while you are doing the install. And make sure you put the SSD on the first SATA port in the system. Which will be labeled either port 0 (zero) or 1 depending on how the manufacturer labels them.

THANKS for all the help and guides!

Joe

You're most welcome Joe. Glad we could help.

Hi All,

Back for more help...arrgh!

Ok, I removed hard drive with instaleed vista. Inserted SSD and installed Windows 7 from the cd.

But, I must have missed something. Windows 7 is up and running just fine
I put the Vista HDD back in, (front expansion sata) rack.

Now, it seems whatever I do, the system can't find the HDD. I 've tried the CMOS and it's not there and Windows 7 doesn't detect either?

Thanks,
Joe

Hello Joe,

Does it show up in Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)?

No, it doesn't show up there.