Solved Installing new SSD, when to format old HDD?

[igniz12]

My new SSD is coming in the next few hours and Im getting stuff over to my backup HDD. What Im curious to know is when should I format my old HDD with the old win7 OS? In case something goes wrong with the new install I'd like to have the old install as standby.

If I successfully install the new OS on the SSD can I plug in the old HDD and reformat it with the old win7 installs still inside? Meaning I would have 2 win7 OS drives connected to my computer when attempting to reformat the old HDD.

Is this safe to do or should I install the new win7 OS on the SSD, unplug it, then plug the old HDD back to reformat it?

 

[Shimshom]

When installing the OS on the new SSD disconnect any other drives external or internal. Once you finish installing the OS and use this tutorial
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html?ltr=C
reconnect your 2nd internal drive and use the below tutorial to enter Diskpart
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html
as you need to clean the other drive before loading the newly installed OS as since it also has an OS on it it might cause some issues. Use Diskpart to clean the HD using this tutorial and start it from step 3 as you're already in Diskpart
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
Once that's done you can change the boot order back to the SSD as the 1st boot device in the BIOS than log into Windows and format the HDD in Disk Management . You can also format the drive from Diskpart but I can't find the tutorial at present

 

[OvenMaster]

If I were in your position, I would reformat the HDD when your 30-day or 90-day return privileges for the SSD end. Until then, I would keep the HDD as-is in case you need to reinstall it.

 

[AddRAM]

Don`t format the old drive until you are perfectly satisfied with Windows on the SSD, there`s no rush

 

[igniz12]

Yeah thats the plan hopefully, I dont even have a use currently for the soon-to-be emptied drive but I couldnt pass up on the SSD since it was going for a good price. Could use a clean win7 install too since performance was getting a bit chunky.

So this diskpart things is a better way to clean out a drive? Never heard of it till now.

Gonna attempt to install everything tomorrow when I have a whole day free. Now I just need to figure out how to set the bios to ahci for the SSD. Fingers crossed I can mark this thread as solved tomorrow or the day after.

 

[Ranger4]

Yeah thats the plan hopefully, I dont even have a use currently for the soon-to-be emptied drive but I couldnt pass up on the SSD since it was going for a good price. Could use a clean win7 install too since performance was getting a bit chunky.

So this diskpart things is a better way to clean out a drive? Never heard of it till now.

Gonna attempt to install everything tomorrow when I have a whole day free. Now I just need to figure out how to set the bios to ahci for the SSD. Fingers crossed I can mark this thread as solved tomorrow or the day after.

If you have the manual for the motherboard, read it before you make any changes, so you can check on what you are doing as you go.

 

[OvenMaster]

Yeah thats the plan hopefully, I dont even have a use currently for the soon-to-be emptied drive but I couldnt pass up on the SSD since it was going for a good price.

Trust me. If you have empty space on a hard drive, you'll find something to fill it with. Boot drive backup images are a good example. Store stuff you don't want to lose in case you need to reformat the SSD and reinstall Windows; images, music, movies, important stuff.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, when ready I'd wipe the old HD with Clean command as it gets it cleaner for reformatting in Disk Mgmt, wipes old boot code which can interfere.

Just make sure after install to the SSD that it remains set to boot first as you plug back in the other HD's.

Check in BIOS setup that SATA controller is set to preferred AHCI also for the new install. Other tips here to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7

 

[AddRAM]

AHCI, IDE, Raid etc. should be in the bios under drive options

 

[igniz12]

Alright, that was fast. Got it all done this morning, forgot how idiot proof windows installing is now The SSD also made short work of it. Consider me one of the enlightened on the benefits of an SSD for your PC.

Updated the Samsung firmware and used the SSD restoration tool, hardware manager not showing any exclamation icons, not seeing any performance problems except for the Read/Write speed being capped, made win7 backup icon.


Some minor problems:

Used a 3gb Sata port instead of a 6gb port for the SSD...d'oh. Thats what I get for assuming the brighter color port must mean higher number. Gonna fix that later today.

I have no more Sata cables left, need to finish cleaning the old drive and then use the DVD drive's cable or go out and get a another cable. Need a new keyboard anyway so I'll do that first I think. In the mean time I will make this thread as solved but save this thread and finish cleaning up the the old HDD in 2 weeks time when Im sure everything is working fine.

Thanks to all that posted.

 

[AddRAM]

Excellent