Upgrading: Consolidating 2 HDDs, Installing SSD, Backing up EHD

ignatzatsonic · 27 Mar 2014

OK. I'd recommend a clean install unless you have some over-riding reason not to do it. The main pain is that you'd have to reinstall and re-configure all your apps. The main benefit is that you have no unwanted crap on C and don't have to fiddle around with whittling down your current C from its current 800 GB.

A clean install would require that you have the 25 character "Product Key" (usually found on a sticker on an HP) and installation media that matches that Product Key--that could be a DVD or an ISO that you then burn to a DVD.

gregrocker · 28 Mar 2014

In addition I'd plan to get an SSD large enough to accomodate the OS and all of your programs, which benefit from the speed.

SSD's are coming down in price enough that User Folders can often stay onboard C, but if tight on space you can move User Folders - Change Default Location or link them from the HD using Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums and Library - Set Save Folder - Windows 7 Help Forums. A reason to use Library method is if you want to use Win7 backup imaging to save a backup image of C, since it will force inclusion of the HD partition where User folders were moved otherwise. But a better imaging program is Macrium - Image your system.

You can achieve what you want by moving all files to one HD, then after install delete all partitions on your fastest HD to repartition in Disk Mgmt, move your User folders onto it, use the rest of the HD space for storage and images. You may want two HD's for this. So you may not need an External HD.

TooTall · 28 Mar 2014

It's become clear that what I want to do is way beyond my expertise. I'll eventually get there but I have a lot of reading to do to make sure I don't @%#& it up. Thanks for all the info guys.

gregrocker · 28 Mar 2014

This can be done easily enough by the consumer, and we'll be here to help you as needed. Do you have any specific questions as of now?