Hi,
I did a fresh OS install on my SSD. When I re-install or move programs from my HDD, the settings are "new". So I assume the settings are left behind on the HDD. Is there a way to transfer them? If so how?
I need all the settings from all programs.
If you did a clean install, you have a new registry and need to reinstall all programs. Forget about "moving" anything but data from your old HDD.
Windows has something called "Easy Transfer", but it doesn't work well in my experience.
How about transfering the OS? With program like Paragon, as suggested on the tutorial on your website?
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System
Is there any downside? I really need the settings of some major programs, it will cost me too much time to set everything again.
I thought you had already reinstalled?
Yes, you can transfer your entire installation from the HDD to the SSD. That would NOT be a "fresh install", but would include all programs and the existing registry, complete with any errors it may contain.
You can do that by "cloning" or by "imaging". Imaging is the more common choice.
Both can work. Both can fail.
You just have to decide if the risk of failure is worth taking, compared to your statement that "it will cost me too much time to set everything again". If your cloning/imaging attempt doesn't work out, you may waste more time and be more frustrated than if you just bit the bullet and did a clean install.
Thank you for your help! :)
I did a fresh OS install on my SSD but I still have my windows 7 files on my HDD. So basicly I can still boot from my HDD.
My windows on HDD is some errors, so I guess imaging/cloning is not an option. I guess I'll start off by installing the most important programs on my SSD while the rest will be booted from the HDD.
Is there a difference in copying the program files folder on the HDD to the SSD (instead of 'really' installing it with a CD)?
Also I have a 64GB samsung 830 series SSD on a sata2 computer. Is it a problem if I use 50GB space?
You can't simply copy the program folder from the HDD to the SSD and expect programs to work. If you did a "clean install", you will need to reinstall programs to the SSD in the normal manner.
Many in your situation would use the SSD for Windows and all applications---and then use the old HDD for ALL data.
I'm not sure what you mean by the second question. A 64 GB drive is usually big enough for most people. Windows itself will take under 20 GB.
Do you just have a single C partition on the SSD, occupying the entire drive--probably between 59 and 60 GB usable?
I'm not saying you cannot do the clone or image thing, but you should be advised neither is infallible---most people just grit their teeth, do a clean install, and then reinstall all programs.
Yeah I have a single C partition on the SSD. Is that good or bad? And yes I mean If I occupy about 50GB of the 60GB is good, bad and usable for the SSD.Do you just have a single C partition on the SSD, occupying the entire drive--probably between 59 and 60 GB usable?
A single C on the SSD is good.
I would start to get nervous if my C partition of 60 GB had 50 GB occupied. I'd try to think of ways to reduce that through proper maintenance.
But Windows alone takes under 20 GB. I have 55 applications installed on C and occupy only 28 GB--on a 80 GB SSD. All of my data is on a regular HDD.
One last question if you don't mind. It might be abit off topic but its about firefox.
I have optimized firefox to write RAM instead of cache since it reduce the writing on SSD. I don't notice any major difference (startup time). I put my RAM size to 128MB , is that good or too low? My computer runs on a Q6600 with 3GB RAM.
Thanks again!
I used to direct my Firefox cache to my E drive (HDD), rather than to my SSD, for fear of "too many writes".
I gave up on that idea. I've decided the "too many writes" thing is vastly over-blown for current generation SSDs such as your Samsung (a good choice by the way).
I'm sure you can find web sites that will tell you that your idea is the way to go. I vaguely recall some posts on this site about Firefox writing to RAM, but don't recall the details.
You might investigate a program called SSDLife Free, which tracks your writing and estimates the life of your SSD.
Does your Samsung disk include any utilities? That may also be able to track how many writes, bad sectors, etc.
Quote