Windows 7: Installing OS to OLD SSD

I apparently have a corrupted OS, and will need to reinstall Windows 7. I have a SSD that I want to put the OS on, and a HDD that will contain the user profiles/folders and data. This was the arrangement that I had before the problems, and I want to recreate it. However, I set up the system before by migrating the OS to the SSD when I installed the SSD. I will now be installing the OS directly to the SSD. Anything special I should know before getting started on this? Thanks.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Have a look at this tutorial. It may help you out.

Sort all of your files into the User folders, copy them to the HDD/

Follow the Best Practices to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are the same for retail.

After install rightclick on each User folder to add it to the related Windows 7 Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums which avoids issues with actually moving the Shell User folders which are System files.

Make sure you disconnect your HDD(s) whilst installing on the SSD. Else your bootmgr may end up on the HDD.

Thanks LittleJay, gregrocker and whs. I am sure that your advice will be useful as I move forward. I am going to end up posting several threads here, since this mess has so many things not working right. The good news is that my backup software is working fine, and I can save both my SSD and HDD to another HDD before I do anything.

One question on this topic (for now): I have seen tutorials here instructing how to specify that the user folders go on a separate drive from the OS while you are installing Windows 7. Is it the case that by using Libraries I can have the user folders on the OS drive (SSD), and the system will establish junctions to the libraries (on the HDD), where everything will be found? (Clearly, I need to read up on Libraries.)

Thanks again.

Don't do anything during installation. Once installed define folders for Documents,Pictures, Music, etc. on the HDD and move your stuff there. Then right click on those folders and INCLUDE them into the appropriate library. Then you get a structure like on my picture. The Whs folders are the ones on the HDD.

whs,

Thanks. So it looks like the OS install will create the normal set of folders within the Libraries on the C: drive, and I can add additional folders from my F: drive. The folders that are on the C: drive will be empty unless I put something in them, I assume.

When I installed my SSD, I set up a junction between C: and the user folder on F:, since there was not enough space on C: for the files. This is such a simpler solution. Thanks again.

This is true except for the Documents folder. Some programs put their repositories in there - e.g. Macrium puts the XML definition files there, Format Factory puts their output files there, etc. But this is only very little data or files that you don't keep there. So there is no worry regarding size.

Great to hear. It will take a few days to round up all the media I will need to reinstall everything, but it looks as though this will be smoother than I had expected. Thanks again.

Good. Let us know how you make out.