installation onto a new HDD moving stuff around

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 254
    windows 7 Ultimate Service pack 1 x64
       #1

    installation onto a new HDD moving stuff around


    Hey guys, my HDD is on its last stretch before dying, as S.M.A.R.T checking is failing. Luckily i still have a month warranty left and the store is going to give me credit enough to get a Toshiba 3TB HDD.

    With ease to do backup, i have made a Backup image of my OS drive which is about 350gb in size. I also have another 1TB and a 2TB seagate. The problem is that i want to move the stuff from my 2TB HDD to my 3TB (so all my games and such) and move the OS to the 2 TB but then im concerned how it will affect my programs because the HDD letters wont be the same. So i kinda want my 2TB (which is currently the F:\ Drive) To become the new C:\drive when loaded with the image and the 3TB to become the new F:\drive (which will contain all my steam/origin games on it)

    How can i do this with minimum fuss?
    This also means the 1TB E:\ drive will remain unchanged
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #2

    You should be able to assign the F drive letter to the 3 TB drive. I don't game and make all installs on C, but as far as I know your stuff will still work if the drive letters are the same as they were before the change--even though the drives themselves have been changed.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 254
    windows 7 Ultimate Service pack 1 x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    ignatzatsonic said:
    You should be able to assign the F drive letter to the 3 TB drive. I don't game and make all installs on C, but as far as I know your stuff will still work if the drive letters are the same as they were before the change--even though the drives themselves have been changed.
    So what i should do is (cos i have a spare hdd to boot windows off) is launch windows, format the 3TB, copy everything over from the 2TB, wipe the 2TB change the 3TB drive letter to F:\ and then install windows on the 2TB?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #4

    That sounds about right.................but:

    When it comes time to install Windows to the 2 TB, disconnect all other drives.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 254
    windows 7 Ultimate Service pack 1 x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    ignatzatsonic said:
    That sounds about right.................but:

    When it comes time to install Windows to the 2 TB, disconnect all other drives.
    And this should work with minimum fuss? My replacement drive just came today so im concerned.

    Also i somehow lost 50GB on my HDD after compressing a couple of videos using fraps. Before i had the videos i had about 300gb space left on the 2tb but then when i deleted the videos i only got back upto 260gb .
    Whats up with that (i checked the recycle bin and all). Is there a way i can check what was modified quickly on the HDD?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #6

    MajorFoley said:
    ignatzatsonic said:
    That sounds about right.................but:

    When it comes time to install Windows to the 2 TB, disconnect all other drives.
    And this should work with minimum fuss? My replacement drive just came today so im concerned.

    Also i somehow lost 50GB on my HDD after compressing a couple of videos using fraps. Before i had the videos i had about 300gb space left on the 2tb but then when i deleted the videos i only got back upto 260gb .
    Whats up with that (i checked the recycle bin and all). Is there a way i can check what was modified quickly on the HDD?
    Initialize the new 3 TB drive as "GPT" rather than "MBR". If you choose MBR, you won't be able to utilize over 2.2 TB of it.

    I'm assuming your motherboard does in fact support 3 TB drives.

    Install as usual. It's important that you disconnect any other hard drive.

    Re space, download something like TreeSize Free. It will show you what is taking up space on your hard drive.

    TreeSize Free - Quickly Scan Directory Sizes and Find Space Hogs
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 254
    windows 7 Ultimate Service pack 1 x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    ignatzatsonic said:
    MajorFoley said:
    ignatzatsonic said:
    That sounds about right.................but:

    When it comes time to install Windows to the 2 TB, disconnect all other drives.
    And this should work with minimum fuss? My replacement drive just came today so im concerned.

    Also i somehow lost 50GB on my HDD after compressing a couple of videos using fraps. Before i had the videos i had about 300gb space left on the 2tb but then when i deleted the videos i only got back upto 260gb .
    Whats up with that (i checked the recycle bin and all). Is there a way i can check what was modified quickly on the HDD?
    Initialize the new 3 TB drive as "GPT" rather than "MBR". If you choose MBR, you won't be able to utilize over 2.2 TB of it.

    I'm assuming your motherboard does in fact support 3 TB drives.

    Install as usual. It's important that you disconnect any other hard drive.

    Re space, download something like TreeSize Free. It will show you what is taking up space on your hard drive.

    TreeSize Free - Quickly Scan Directory Sizes and Find Space Hogs
    Why? whats the difference between GPT and MBR? Will I need to change any other settings?
    Motherboard is a asus p8z68-v, just says on page support for drivers over 2.2tb
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    When you plug in the 3tb drive it should ask you how you want to format a new hard drive. Choose GPT to utilize all the space. It should be supportable by your BIOS, but make sure you have the latest BIOS version from PC or Mobo maker to be sure.

    If you already formatted MBR then you can back up the data and Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk - Windows 7 Forums

    Once you confirm you've copied all files from 2tb to 3tb, then unplug the 3tb and delete all partitions during the booted
    Clean Reinstall Windows 7 or before applying the backup image using the imaging program's boot disk making sure to choose to transfer Track0 MBR, Active flag and use Auto drive letter so it maintains C.

    Once you get the OS up and running you can change the 3tb partition drive letters if needed to match your previous lettering scheme. Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums. If there is any question post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 254
    windows 7 Ultimate Service pack 1 x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    gregrocker said:
    When you plug in the 3tb drive it should ask you how you want to format a new hard drive. Choose GPT to utilize all the space. It should be supportable by your BIOS, but make sure you have the latest BIOS version from PC or Mobo maker to be sure.

    If you already formatted MBR then you can back up the data and Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk - Windows 7 Forums

    Once you confirm you've copied all files from 2tb to 3tb, then unplug the 3tb and delete all partitions during the booted
    Clean Reinstall Windows 7 or before applying the backup image using the imaging program's boot disk making sure to choose to transfer Track0 MBR, Active flag and use Auto drive letter so it maintains C.

    Once you get the OS up and running you can change the 3tb partition drive letters if needed to match your previous lettering scheme. Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums. If there is any question post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
    Looking into GPT more it seems a bit more complicated than first thought. I believe im running my stuff off a SSD which im sure is using MBR so really i shouldn't have any problem making the 3TB GPT right? just plug in go to disk management and format as GPT? and since 2TB can be done with MBR i shouldn't have any problems with the image im going to use either right?

    Also with regarding to the lettering of the HDD parts couldn't i do it before installing the image since the image would likely turn the 2TB into a c:\ boot drive anyway? So couldn't i just give it a different letter, change the 3TB to f:\ and it should all be fine?
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Sounds fine.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 22:51.
Find Us