A sticky situation involving Windows on a SSD and HDD

Zamaj · 29 Dec 2014

I am currently building a new PC, and I am reusing my hard drive from my old one with Windows 7 on it. I have bought a new copy of Windows 7 and an SSD and I want to install and boot Windows from the SSD. My question is, how will this work with the old copy of Windows on the hard drive? I think it might have been better to wipe the old HDD while it was still in the old PC, but I've dismantled it now so that isn't really an option. I'm unsure as to exactly what steps I should take to get everything working properly. If anyone could provide some guidance, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Anshad Edavana · 29 Dec 2014

Hi

I would recommend ;

1. Connect only SSD and install Windows as usual. Make sure to connect it to the first SATA port to avoid boot issues later (usually SATA port numbers will be printed near to it ).

Some systems may have SATA 3gb/s and SATA 6gb/s ports. In that case finding SATA 6gb/s port and connecting SSD to it is recommended. However HP documentation doesn't seems to provide any details about the motherboard used. So i would recommend stick with port one.

2. Once Windows install finished, connect the old HDD to one of the secondary SATA port and boot to Windows. Then open "Disk Management" ( diskmgmt.msc in RUN dialogue ) and delete all partitions on the slave hard drive. You can then partition it to one or two volumes which are exclusive for data storage.

How to delete partitions : Partition or Volume - Delete

How to create new partition : Partition or Volume - Create New

gregrocker · 29 Dec 2014

If you kept the same motherboard then you can move any Win7 license to another hard drive whether you reimage it or do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

Follow Lady's suggestions for plugging in your SSD, boot the Win7 disk for your licensed version provided if needed in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 and follow those steps to get and keep a perfect install.

After install, plug back in the Hard drive making sure the SSD remains primary hard drive set first to boot in BIOS setup. Then I would transfer any data needed and go the extra step to wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command to get it cleanest, repartition and format in Disk Management.

If you have a specific partition scheme you can ask back and we'll give you the exact steps.

Zamaj · 29 Dec 2014

Thanks; that makes sense and seems pretty simple.

@ gregrocker: I had the OEM version of Windows that came on my machine. I looked into transfer, decided it was not viable, and decided to buy an new copy.

ignatzatsonic · 29 Dec 2014

Zamaj said:

decided it was not viable

Not viable based on what reasoning?

whs · 29 Dec 2014

One little addition - before you boot make sure the SSD is #2 in the BIOS boot sequence. #1 should be the CD/DVD drive.

whs · 29 Dec 2014

ignatzatsonic said:

Zamaj said:

decided it was not viable

Not viable based on what reasoning?

It's an OEM that you cannot transfer and activate.

ignatzatsonic · 29 Dec 2014

whs said:

ignatzatsonic said:

Zamaj said:

decided it was not viable

Not viable based on what reasoning?

It's an OEM that you cannot transfer and activate.

Could be.

But do we know a new motherboard is involved?

whs · 29 Dec 2014

ignatzatsonic said:

whs said:

ignatzatsonic said:

Not viable based on what reasoning?

It's an OEM that you cannot transfer and activate.

Could be.

But do we know a new motherboard is involved?

I would think so if he builds the new system from scratch.

gregrocker · 30 Dec 2014

If you are using the same motherboard then you could replace everything else and still use the same license which lives and dies only with the motherboard.

In addition there are reports recently that MS is increasingly allowing transfer of OEM licenses to new mobo, so that might be worth a try using Activate Windows 7 by Phone - Windows 7 Help Forums
before wasting another key. Previously a really good excuse needed to be given, but the relaxing of these rules may be due to Win7 only being available now in OEM version.