Install SSD with HD data drive under Win 7

[camner]

I try to take a camera snap this evening of the current BIOS.

Do I presume correctly that if I take things in this order I have no need to worry about the OS on the SSD being "unaligned" on a 4k boundary?

1. boot off the existing HD after connecting the SSD
2. Partition and format the SSD
3. Disconnect the HD
4. Boot from a USB or DVD Win7 install disk
5. Install Win7 on the SSD

 

[whs]

Correct, the Windows installer will align the SSD.

However, I always predefine an aligned, primary, active partition on the SSDs. Then I do not get the dreaded 100MB system partition from the installer. Makes imaging and recovery a lot easier. If that's what you do in your step #2, then you are OK. Those are the commands:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your SSD in List disk)
Clean
Create partition primary align=1024
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active
Exit

 

[camner]

What are the exact SATA controller or other storage settings available? If possible please post back a camera snap with all related listings expanded. Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

Here they be (camera shots of the BIOS). Doesn't strike me that they are all that helpful…am I missing something? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding what's being asked for in terms of info about the SATA controller?

 

[Britton30]

Your cam takes very small pics, I can't read them at all.

 

[camner]

Your cam takes very small pics, I can't read them at all.

Interesting. On my screen the pics are large and are quite legible! I wonder what the difference is.

 

[Golden]

The photos look good to me too.

 

[Britton30]

They don't go full size, rather they display full size, which is about 3"x3".

 

[gregrocker]

In the final screenshot, expand Hard Disk drives to see if there are any settings offered. If not I do not see a SATA controller setting.

Proceed with the same steps as for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which assure you'll get and keep a perfect install. Unplug all other HD's during install.

I gave you steps earlier for linking your User folders from HDD after install.

 

[camner]

In the final screenshot, expand Hard Disk drives to see if there are any settings offered. If not I do not see a SATA controller setting.

I'll do that, though IIRC when I expanded that it simply gave me the ability to chose the hard drive boot order.

I obviously have a SATA controller…is it really possible that there is no way to access its settings?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes.