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

Golden said:

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

I thought programs were supposed to be installed on the same drive as the OS as they needed to make registry changes? No?

Golden said:

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

Thanks, as to Program Files and Program Files (x86), can I clone these to to a HDD that will be installed after the SSD is setup as the OS drive and still use the programs in the directories or do I have to reinstall everything again? I know the registry won't particularly like it but could it work? Some of those programs I no longer have the original install programs for.

Golden said:

Hi rtmeek,

No, you can install to any installed disk on the computer, it doesn't have to be on the same drive as the OS. See image below.

The registry entry is made at the time of installation, effectively "telling" the OS where the newly installed program resides.

Regards,
Golden

OK, then with what you are saying; I could put my OS on a clean C drive, load all my programs on a separate D drive, then make an image of C. Then if windows ever became corrupt and needed reinstalling, I could simply install the saved image of the OS with all the correct registry changes, not have to worry about the programs which are on D, and presto! i'm back in business? That sounds too simple.

rtmeek said:

Gregrocker,


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

When ready just delete H and repartition in Disk Mgmt. Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Create New

This should be sufficient however if it gives you any problem open an Elevated Command Prompt and run Diskpart Clean Command, after triple checking you are choosing the correct drive. This clears the boot sector so it can not conflict. Then you can repartition as desired in Disk Mgmt.

+1.

You want Programs with the OS as they write themselves into the registry which integrates them into the OS. Installing programs to a HD also partially defeats the speed advantage of the SSD.

Having the data on separate drive is the best way to have the latest data set when reimaging due to irreparable Win7. However it still needs to be backed up off the HD.

All of this can be accomplished by linking to libraries from the data drive, using the same User folders or your own filing system. This prevents Win7 backup imaging from including the data drive and avoids occasional permissioning issue. Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

In other words, what you are saying is: It's best to install windows -user files and all- on C, then manually set up new folders on D, name them what you wish, then include the folder from C to the new folder on D so your data is now saved in C & D. Then if you ever reinstall the OS on C you can just copy the data from the D folders back to C? (whew). Right?

rtmeek said:

so your data is now saved in C & D. Then if you ever reinstall the OS on C you can just copy the data from the D folders back to C? (whew). Right?

I don't think so.

The idea is to save data to D.

Not to C.

And then back up the data on D to E, F, or wherever.