Set up for SSD boot with HDD storage

[islasian67]

I've looked in plenty of forums trying to find a good set up, however there's too many different opinions on how to do this. I thought it would be better to ask the Windows experts

I have a new computer build and im trying to set up my SSD (128g) as my boot and HDD (1tb) for storage. My original problem was that my SSD ran out of space fairly quickly. Im planning on reinstalling windows 7 64 bit to get a fresh start (i dont mind erasing the drives since I didnt have much on them).

I searched the tutorials here before posting. One that i've looked at is
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html?filter[2]=Hardware%20and%20Drivers
I wasnt sure if this tutorial is what I should be trying to do.

Another tutorial ive looked at is
How to: Setup SSD boot drive with secondary Hard disc optimization
However I kept on running into issues during step 7, where it wouldnt let me completely cut and past the default folder leading to the inability in logging into the second user account.

If there are other tutorials you think I should use feel free to post the link. Thanks guys.

-Asus Z77 Sabertooth LGA 115
-Intel i5 3750k
-Crucial M4 128 GB SATA III
-Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Hello islasian67

Everyone does this different, it totally depends on how much you want to move from your ssd to your hdd. Personally I just move all my user folders to a hdd keeping all parts of the OS and programs on the ssd. Another option is to do what you have been looking at and move the whole user profile (including the AppData Folder) over to the hdd. Both are valid options especially as you are going to be doing a clean install. Follow the links below and you wont go far wrong.

1) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html?filter
2a) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html
OR
2b) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/87555-user-profile-change-default-location.html

Danny

 

[bigmck]

What most of the guys here and myself have done is put Win 7 and the programs on the SSD. All of your data files go on a HDD. Since you have a 128 GB SSD you will have plenty of room to do this. By putting all of your programs on the SSD, it makes them open fast and gets things moving for you.
== Since you are doing a Clean Install, nothing needs to be moved, just do the Win install and put your programs in and you are good to go. Use this tutorial to speed along the Clean Install.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[islasian67]

Thanks for your guy's help, I really appreciate it. I haven't used windows in years so its great being on this site relearning.

 

[kbrady1979]

Do you already have the components?

 

[islasian67]

Yes i already have the components, I just installed windows OS as well, but have not done anything else

 

[kbrady1979]

Ok, cool. Here is a tip you may or may not have thought of: When you get Windows installed and all the current drivers installed make a backup or image of that and you should never have to do a clean install again. It will always start with a clean Win 7 and drivers install right from the get-go. After that, remap your User folders to the HDD, no need for any of that stuff to be on the SSD. Install programs/applications(and games if you want) to the SSD. Run your SSD software and make sure it is configured correctly and then enjoy your new system. I also have the 3570K and Sabertooth and it is absolutely beastly! Good choice of parts.

Kelly

 

[islasian67]

Nice thanks for the tip, yea im going to do a quick backup before I start anything

 

[CONNERthe]

I am confused. I have a 64GB SSD I have Win 7 on. I'd like to keep my Users folders in C:. My HDD is a D: drive called Storage. I would like to use it to actually hold my files. How can I do that and keep my files in the Users folders? Can I attach my D: drive to the Users folder? Any other recommendations?

 

[Golden]

I am confused. I have a 64GB SSD I have Win 7 on. I'd like to keep my Users folders in C:. My HDD is a D: drive called Storage. I would like to use it to actually hold my files. How can I do that and keep my files in the Users folders? Can I attach my D: drive to the Users folder? Any other recommendations?

Try this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

 

[kbrady1979]

I am confused. I have a 64GB SSD I have Win 7 on. I'd like to keep my Users folders in C:. My HDD is a D: drive called Storage. I would like to use it to actually hold my files. How can I do that and keep my files in the Users folders? Can I attach my D: drive to the Users folder? Any other recommendations?

Read through this tutorial and see if this answers your question. User Folders - Change Default Location

Golden beat me to it!

 

[CONNERthe]

That still didn't seem to be what I'm looking for. Is there a way to keep the users folder in the C drive and store all the files on the D drive?

 

[AddRAM]

What you want to do is link your user folders to the D drive, I will try to dig up the tut.

Personally, I don`t even link them, I just store my data, movies, backup images, software etc. on my 4 HDDs

You could make a few partitions on your D drive and just label them whatever you want.

 

[CONNERthe]

What you want to do is link your user folders to the D drive, I will try to dig up the tut.

Personally, I don`t even link them, I just store my data, movies, backup images, software etc. on my 4 HDDs

You could make a few partitions on your D drive and just label them whatever you want.

What about your AppData?

 

[kbrady1979]

That will still look like it is on the C: drive. It will just be stored on the D: drive. You can still go to Documents, Downloads, etc from the normal location, it will just access data from another drive.

 

[CONNERthe]

That will still look like it is on the C: drive. It will just be stored on the D: drive. You can still go to Documents, Downloads, etc from the normal location, it will just access data from another drive.

But that is different from what AddRAM said, right? I would like to have it that way - able to go to my users folders in the C drive to access my data that is actually stored on my D drive. I asked one of my professors about it just before school went out for the summer and he said to look up attaching a volume to a folder, but I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for.

 

[VistaKing]

@ ADDRAM

Is this the link you're looking for ?

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/278262-mklink-create-use-links-windows.html

@ CONNERthe

64GB will be filled up quick . I'd move the Users folder to another hard drive .