Solved Need Help Installing Windows 7 on New Hard Drive

[Briano]

I have a single computer at my business that is still working but it has a corrupt windows component store and I have tried different Microsoft FixIt’s, Sfc /scannow and I even tried doing a repair install of Windows 7 but it failed multiple times.


I know I could just do a clean install BUT I only have 1 computer at my business and the software program and sql database that is required for the software is the only thing that keeps the business running.


Is it possible for me to buy a new hard drive and put it in a hard drive enclosure and install Windows 7 and the software program that I use for my business and then just swap the hard drives so I don’t experience any downtime?


I also have the exact same model computer at home with the business software installed already so is there a way I could make an image of that computer and then install that image on the business computer and then enter my Windows activation code that I have for my business computer?


I greatly appreciate any help I can get.
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[AddRAM]

As far as I and most people here know, you can not install windows to an external hard drive.

Doesn`t the business ever close ?

Do the install when it`s closed, like right now for instance.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, you can swap out your current HD (after powering down and taking precautions not to touch any electronics without touching metal case first to discharge static charge) with the new one, follow these same steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Once Win7 starts and you get it set up you can again power down to plug back in the other HDD to copy over all files and folders at your leisure. The easiest way to do this is described in tutorial. You also can easily import any missing drivers by browsing from device in Device Manager to the old HD's Windows>System 32 folder.

If needed boot the HD which isn't set first to boot in BIOS setup using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key. This way you can go back and forth until you know you're ready to unplug the old one, or wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command to reformat for data storage in BIOS setup. Before doing this I'd try to have it plugged into Disk1 or lower so the OS HD is always in Disk0 position.

Just be sure that only the new HD is plugged in during install or it will write its boot files onto the old Win7 partition and be unable to boot on its own without repairs.

 

[Briano]

Thank you for the help! I will give it a try. Thanks!