Help upgrading to Solid stat drive SSD

[Mulletman28]

Hello,

This is my first post here and forgive me if I'm in the wrong spot....

I'm looking to install a SSD drive for my windows 7 64bit custom rig I have. Currently I have everything on a 2tb internal HDD. I'm looking to keep everything the way it is and just place my windows on the new SSD. What is the easiest way for this to be done?

My first thought was unplug my HDD, install SSD install fresh win7 on it, change boot up in bios to SSD first, plug HDD back in and delet windows off of it.

Another thought was is it possible to install new SSD and move windows folders to it from HDD?

My ultimate goal is to not have to reinstall all of my programs and to keep all my current settings.... I'm looking for the most painless and easiest set up of my new SSD drive and to just have windows on it.

Also, can anyone tell me what other programs, if any, should also be installed on the SSD ....ie antivirus programs or other system things


Again hope I'm in the right spot!

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Golden]

Welcome Mulletman,

What you suggest will work perfectly. An easier option is this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

What size is your SSD? A 60GB SSD is good for Windows, a full MSOffice Professional install aswell as anti-virus and other goodies too.

If you have further questions, just ask.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Zepher]

Paragon Migrate OS to SSD - System migration to Solid State Drives (SSD) - Overview
$20 bucks and it's a 1 step operation.
I personally used it a few months ago when I got my first SSD.
It will do exactly what you are asking.
Took about 15 minutes to migrate my 70gb os and apps to the SSD with that app.
Rebooted, changed the boot order in BIOS to the SSD, Windows loaded up fast and with no issues.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I would still prefer to use your first method...of just installing the SSD as the lone drive, performaning a clean install, and then adding in the 2 TB drive. That gives you a fresh, clean install to properly utilize the SSD, and you the knowledge that the drive is configured properly.

 

[Prettygrim]

hi all. dont mean to hijack the thread but as it is concerned with what i want to do, hope is ok to post here. i want to do as Mulletman28 does but wondered if what i intend(ed) is ok. the steps i intended to take are:-
1)connect new 120gig ocz agility3 ssd to my machine via a usb 2.0 docking station
2)update the firmware if necessary
3)align the blocks to 1024
4)copy a pre-done image with Acronis True Image on to the new ssd. (the hdd has 100gig o/s partition plus a storage partition. there is also a small partition infront of 'C' partition. do i need to image that with 'C' drive or is it not needed?)
5)install the ssd in the tower on a sata 3 port, remove the sata 3 hdd, to ensure the ssd boots ok. if it does, replace the hdd, format what was 'c' drive and use for storage

would appreciate any advice on what i am going to do and if it will work or not. if not, what steps do i need to change?
many TIA for advice

 

[Mulletman28]

Golden,

I had suggested two different ways which one lol ..... This 20$ program I see, that's something that I would install then install new SSD drive and it auto copies windows from HDD to SSD and deletes windows from HDD? Or would I then have two copies of windows and would have to delet the HDD one .... If so what would I have to delet specificly?

Newegg.com had a 40$ off sale w/ free shipping on a Samsung 128gb SSD (SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive) that's what made me finally decide to do this lol.

 

[Zepher]

Golden,

I had suggested two different ways which one lol ..... This 20$ program I see, that's something that I would install then install new SSD drive and it auto copies windows from HDD to SSD and deletes windows from HDD? Or would I then have two copies of windows and would have to delet the HDD one .... If so what would I have to delet specificly?

Newegg.com had a 40$ off sale w/ free shipping on a Samsung 128gb SSD (SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive) that's what made me finally decide to do this lol.

The app doesn't delete the old install. You can actually just keep the old install on the old drive just in case the SSD fails or whatnot, and be up and running in minutes.

 

[Golden]

If you want to keep your installed programs on the old HDD and only have Windows on the SSD, then use the tutorial I linked.

If you want to have the installed programs on the SSD aswell, then you will need to be a fresh install of these programs. In this case, you are probably better off doing a fresh install of everything.

The Samsung is an excellent choice - enjoy.

Regards,
Golden

 

[essenbe]

With paragon Migrate you don't have to do anything except update the firmware and make sure your OS drive is smaller than the SSD. Paragon Migrate will transfer the OS programs and everything to the SSD and align it for you. It will also allow you to exclude certain files from the transfer if you nee to. 20 minutes and you are done.

 

[Mulletman28]

im sorry if im not understanding, just want to make sure, this program (i knw im being lazy and not doing manually) its going to copy the whole hdd to the ssd? or are there option to do just windows? i have a lot of programs installed on my hdd and i do not want them on the ssd just windows and what ever other programs are appropriate to have on it i.e. antivirus.....


and what other system programs are good to have on the ssd? obviously my games, video/pic editing and music and such im keeping on my hdd.


and forgive me if im not fully understanding, for some reason this ssd is giving me a run in my mind trying to figure it out lol that tutorial is very detailed and i understand it but this program seems to be a few clicks and done and im thinking im going with that lol


you guys are great by the way, this is a really good forum that i hope to participate in more now that i found it!

 

[Mulletman28]

i think once i get the drive in the mail and start actually working on it ill be able to look and understand what i have to do.... looking at it on paper might be whats messing me up