install ssd and keep all programs without a reinstall of windows

You asked me a question and I replied with the answer again.

gregrocker said:

Yes, I already said Recovery will not work without the OS partition, and provided the steps with illustrated tutorials for him to use at his leisure to do whatever he wants to do.

With all that space there is no reason to rush, so he should take all the time needed to make sure everything is backed up first.

I'm still waiting to hear if the boot times improved to know if he even has an SSD install he should keep. So for the fifth time: did boot times improve when you unplugged the HD because if so then it should be wiped of boot code using Diskpart Clean Command ?

I did answer you in post #97. Your right, machine looks cleaner now. I think I'll leave it as is, with the exception of the unallocated space that's left. Thanks

I specifically asked about boot times with the HD unplugged. There is a reason for this. Old boot code on the hard drive can be slowing boot, as can the Active partition being queried by the BIOS.

We also must take into account that the factory install is the worst possible install of WIn7 one can have, so is hardly a decent candidate for cloning to an SSD. It would be like moving the engine of a junker into a Lexus. If forced to do this I would at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware establishing a clean boot to see if it improves any.

Your best bet is always to Clean Reinstall Windows 7 to get the freshest start and fastest performance.

Thanks for coming back. I will take the computer apart again in the morning and do the count you want with the HDD disconnected, from power button press to W7 desktop. I'll get back to you with it.

Okay, got a later start here then anticipated but, here we go.

Using counting method you wanted. Counted boot before anything disconnected. 47s. till desktop came up.

Counted boot after HDD disconnected 34s. till desktop came up.

Did each twice. First and second timings within a second or so of each count. So, while not a very accurate way to do it. That's what I got.

Note: that included typing in my password each time.

With the HD disconnected, run Startup Repair to check over your boot files.

Did you already follow whs's suggestions to check alignment? SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums
SSD Tweaks and Optimizations in Windows 7

If you have storage space I'd move the files off the HD to wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command,
then either swap its cable with the SSD if possible so it appears in Disk1 in Disk Mgmt, or format only Logical data partitions if not: Partition / Extended : Logical Drives - Windows 7 Forums

I've already given you steps to Clean Up Factory Bloatware especially establishing a Clean Boot which very much affects boot times.

If none of these bring the SSD boot time down below 20 seconds then I'd probably do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 or if unwilling to do that for other reasons chalk up the slow boot times to needing to clone the HP factory install.