Solved Reinstalling Windows 7 on SSD

[colc]

I was prompted to start a new thread; I trust that this is the correct area.
I have Windows 7 installed on a SSD, Data on hard drive.
I am experiencing severe instabality problems, considering formatting drives and starting over, this wil be a huge task considering the amount of data involved, I have two questions;
How important is it to disconnect the HD when reinstalling Windows on the SSD?
If I were to reinstall Windows over the top of the existing setup, would I still have to disconnect the HD?

 

[AddRAM]

It should not be a huge task at all, if the data is on the hard drive, which is where it should be.

Disconnect the hard drive and re install windows on the ssd, make sure the ssd is setup properly.

Align it.

A windows install takes 15 minutes from start to finish, it`s no big deal. Get it right now

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

You DO NOT FORMAT a data drive.

 

[colc]

That was quick, thanks, as indicated my data is on the HD plus all the programs; I would have thought that by reinstalling Windows the Registry would be out of whack with the programs on the HD.
If I tried to correct the problem first by reinstalling windows over the old installation would that still entail disconnecting the HD?

 

[DavidE]

If you have programs installed on the Data drive they will need to be re-installed after re-installing Windows.
In addition to the folders on the Data drive there are registry entries in the OS drive for installed programs.

 

[AddRAM]

Why did you install the programs to the hard drive ?

It defeats the whole purpose of using a ssd.

Yes, again, disconnect the hard drive. ( just the power cable )

 

[colc]

David, that was the point I was trying to make, as for programs on the SSD I was advised at the time of installation 4 years ago that SSD's were to be dedicated to the Operating System only.
Is/was that not so? Forgive my ignorance but is it not the case that regardless of the procedure taken all the programs whether on the SSD or the HD have to be reinstalled? If that is not so, I may have to rethink my strategy and replace my current SSD with a larger one.

 

[DavidE]

How big is your SSD ?
The advice given you 4 years ago might have been correct based on the cost / size of SSDs then.
They have come down in price a lot since then.

Yes, all installed programs will need to be re-installed after re-installing Windows.

 

[AddRAM]

This is why you get windows perfectly how you want it, then you create a disk image, stored on the data drive.

Using windows or Macrium or both.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[colc]

Thanks Guys, I can see where we were at cross purposes now; I shall explore the scenario of a larger SSD.
Appreciate your assistance.
Col