Advice and direction on installing OS on new SSD with multiple HHD's

rtmeek · Feb 3, 2012

I need to reinstall Win7 and decided to install it on a new 120G SSD and then use an exsisting HDD for user accounts and data. After spending days reading past threads and post on the subject I am still not positive of the correct pocedure to follow. I think I read too much.

This was my plan: am I thinking right or not?

1) I have full backups and images on (including Carbonite) on external drives

2) Format an exsisting HDD that should become future drive 'D' for user acct and data

3) unplug all existing drives and install new SSD

4) install Win7 64 pro from full install MS SP 1 disk using the TUT 'Relocate user folders during win 7 installation'. I'm not sure if I should keep the boot partition. I'll have plenty of room but don't want sacrifice any speed while booting

5) Plug in other exsisting HDDs

6) install programs to C, transfer/ copy data to formatted HDD which sould now be drive 'D'

7) Done??

Looks simple enough but want to make sure I'm covering everthing and in the right order.

Please advise
Ted

ignatzatsonic · Feb 3, 2012

That looks pretty good. If the SSD is new and has never had anything on it, the process is painless.

Most important is to disconnect all drives other than the SSD.

Step 2 could be done after the SSD install if you prefer.

Having a separate boot partition won't help your boot speed. A default install will use a system reserved, but it can be easily excluded. I think it is needed for BitLocker if you intend to use that. If you keep it, you have to image it along with C. I don't use it, but it's harmless and very small.

seavixen32 · Feb 3, 2012

Sounds like you're well prepared.

You may want to check this tutorial if you haven't already done so.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

A separate system reserved partition that holds the master boot record can be useful if you want to dual boot at some time in the future and as ignatzatsonic says, it is very small so it won't impact on hard drive space.

rtmeek · Feb 4, 2012

I read the 'optimize for windows reinstallation' tutorial. Is any of it really needed for a clean install on a new SSD?

ignatzatsonic · Feb 4, 2012

rtmeek said:
I read the 'optimize for windows reinstallation' tutorial. Is any of it really needed for a clean install on a new SSD?

No. You don't need to use diskpart. You can make partitions during the installation. But you should check alignment and a few other things after Windows is installed.

rtmeek · Feb 17, 2012

OK, got everything installed the way I wanted. Win7 and programs on 'C' and user files on 'D'. But now some things are not what I was expecting and have raised further questions. (If I need to start another thread let me know)

1) I no longer see the 'Documents & Settings' folders in either 'C' or 'D'. Is that normal?
2) When I setup windows backup to make a system image it will not allow me to make an image of just 'C', the boxes are greyed out. It insists that the image must be 'C' and 'D'. My whole reason for putting windows on a separate drive was in case windows ever became corrupt and I need to reinstall, then all I would need to do is install the image and a known good copy of windows and programs would be on'C' and I would not have to worry about my data.

C-11 · Feb 17, 2012

1st question.

Where are my files and folders after upgrading from Windows XP or Windows Vista?

Understanding the Libraries Feature in Windows 7 - How-To Geek

Windows 7 Libraries Explained – And Why You Want Them

ignatzatsonic · Feb 18, 2012

rtmeek said:
2) When I setup windows backup to make a system image it will not allow me to make an image of just 'C', the boxes are greyed out. It insists that the image must be 'C' and 'D'.

I don't use or understand Window Backup well, but I know it has its own ideas about what a "system" file is. It thinks at least some of your system files are not on C. Do you have a "System Reserved" partition (most users don't need it)?? It has some system files in it as well.

I use Macrium and no System Reserved partition. All I need to image is C.

rtmeek · Feb 18, 2012

Here's what i've got:http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=198925&stc=1&d=1329578036 'D' shows 'system' but i'm not sure what that means Also both 'D' and 'C' have a ProgramData folder but the sub folders are not identical

gregrocker · Feb 18, 2012

This is why all other HD's should be unplugged when installing Win7. D must have been marked Active because Win7 wrote the System boot files to it instead of C as is correct.

To change this mark C Active and D Inactive, reboot into BIOS setup to set C first HD to boot: Partition - Mark as Active
Partition - Mark as Inactive

Then reboot into DVD Repair console or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts on its own and C holds the System Active boot files. If this fails you'll need to unplug D to force repairs to work.

Once D isn't the System drive try creating a Backup Image again to see if it will still require D to be included as it might since D holds System (User) folders. This is an argument for using the library method to link User folders to another HD easier and without complication: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums.

If the prob persists and you want to keep it as it is, use Macrium to Image your system
which is a preferred method for many, or use superior Acronis premium imaging/cloning app which comes free if you have any WD or Seagate HD. WD Acronis free cloning app
Seagate Acronis cloning free util

rtmeek · Feb 18, 2012

OK. I believe the startup repair did what it was supposed to do.

http://js.sevenforumscdn.com/images/styles/window7/attach/png.gif

However, the problem persists on trying to make an image of C. Windows backup still insists that the image be of C & D. Is this because (1)Windows needs something in the user files located in D to "run or start" , (2) ProgramData folder located in D, (3) Or just because that's the way Windows thinks it needs to be done regardless of what I want?

The whole idea in relocating the user files to D was to be able to image a known good copy of the OS and programs in case I ever needed to reinstall.

gregrocker · Feb 18, 2012

As I said earlier In some cases the win7 imaging app will consider the drive with User folders part of system.

I also gave you the solution which others use.

rtmeek · Feb 18, 2012

I followed your directions and made an image of C with Acronis and used Windows backup to image C & D on another HHD. I guess i'm covered. Thanks.

I've got another small problem though. After I used DiskPart to mark my D drive inactive prior to repairing startup, now when I reboot I get the following screen:

What could have happened to show two operating systems? The current Disk MGT is as shown

gregrocker · Feb 18, 2012

Check msconfig>boot. Is there a second OS incorrectly listed which needs deleting?

Did you have another OS on one of the HD's before?

You'll also need to go to Control Panel>System>System Protection, determine which is the ghost listing, highlight it, select Configure and Delete it so that System Restore works correctly.

rtmeek · Feb 18, 2012

Gregrocker.

There WAS another OS on My H drive (original drive with OS, data, etc. before all changes). I deleted it on msconfig and all's well! I would have never figured that out. Thanks

Also, I went to system protection>H>configure and clicked delete. It said it was going to delete all past restore points -I clicked OK. Right? Nothing Else?

Thanks so much for your help

Ted

gregrocker · Feb 18, 2012

Ted -

Is System Protection turned on for C? I don't see it in the list. I always apportion 20% so more Restore points hang around longer.

Did you ever delete the OS on H? An OS partition is properly deleted in Disk Mgmt. Sometimes if it interferes it requires moving the data off to wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command

Davedude · Feb 18, 2012

I have a question along these lines. Everywhere I read it says to set up a RAID for the SSD/SATA relationship to work with the Intel Data Storage utility. If I opt to use my SSD as the OS/boot drive is establishing a RAID necessary? I just want my SATA drives for data/game storage. Also, the SSD is 64Gig.

gregrocker · Feb 18, 2012

Hey Dave Dude -

Can you show us some links of who is giving this advice to RAID SSD for Win7?

All we see here are problems with Win7 and RAID which seems more and more like dated technology with built-in drive imaging and SSD performance.

Golden · Feb 18, 2012

Davedude said:
If I opt to use my SSD as the OS/boot drive is establishing a RAID necessary? I just want my SATA drives for data/game storage. Also, the SSD is 64Gig.

Hi Dave,

No, it is definately not neccessary to create a RAID drive if you install the OS to a SSD. The best possible setup is exactly what you are after:

1. Install OS to SSD (you can also install some applications to the SSD too - 64Gb is large enough)
2. Install data and other programs to HDD

Regards,
Golden

rtmeek · Feb 18, 2012

Gregrocker,
System protection is 'on' for C drive and I changed the % from 5% to 20% as you suggested.

In regards to the H drive, It was my main HD -C drive- before I installed my new Intel SSD using the tutorial to relocate the user folders. I marked it inactive but, for the time being, have just left it alone in case my new installs (or whatever) screwed up so I would have a 'good' drive with OS and data to fall back on; as I could't even pay a bill without my computer. Whenever I'm comfortable that all is good with the new new drive, etc. I was going to format it and use it for data, backups,etc. I could just unplug it. Whats's your advice?

Again, thanks for your help

Ted

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