Switching between SSD boot drives

[Rhinny62]

Hello - new to the forum (although I have been reading it for quite some time).

I built a new computer a year and a half ago and made the mistake of getting too small of an ssd for my main drive. I got a 128gb Samsung 840 Pro and then a 500gb WD Black HDD for the data. The build has been great, but I ultimately installed most of my programs (which are quite large) on the ssd which in turn has gotten pretty full. I only use the HDD for data. I do prefer it this way so that my work programs are on the ssd even though I know I could have installed them on the HDD. So I picked up a 256gb 850 Pro and want to switch over to it, but I want to do a clean install. I plan on unplugging all the other drives (including the 840 obviously) except the new 850 and loading up Win 7 clean. However, I see this as a lengthy project and want to take my time doing it.
So on to my question:
If I load Win 7 onto the 850 and then want to call it quits for the day, can I then shut down the system, unplug the 850, plug back in the 128gb 840 and have it boot back up like nothing happened? Then maybe next weekend I'll unplug the 840, plug in the 850, load a few programs, etc.. I really don't care how long the whole process takes. I just want to be able to go back and forth at will.
I'm trying to be able to go back and forth between the 2 boots until the 850 is where I want it and then I will just save the 840 in case of a failure or something.
But I don't want to get into dual boots or choices from the start-up screen. I just want it to see Windows on the 840 when that is plugged in and from the 850 when that is plugged in.
Is there any reason this shouldn't work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[AddRAM]

It will work fine.

In fact if you kept both plugged in you could just use the 1 time boot menu key (F10 etc.) to choose either ssd to boot into.

The choice is yours.

 

[Gator]

I don't see a problem with it but I wouldn't physically unplug them. Simply go into your BIOS and disable whichever HD you don't want to use at the time. Obviously you will only be disabling one of the HD's that have an operating system on it.

If I may ask, why are you opposed to a dual-boot? You can set it up so that you almost don't notice the choice unless you press a button to stop the timer.

Edit: AddRam solution is better, and first.

 

[gregrocker]

Set the new SSDD as first to boot in BIOS setup, then after install plug back in the old one(s) and trigger the other OS SSD using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key as Brian suggested.

This makes it convenient to go back and forth until the SSD is ready for prime time.

Tips here for getting and keeping a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7

 

[Rhinny62]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will ultimately keep them both plugged in once the new drive is all set up. So my new drive will obviously be C and I assume the old drive (which used to be C) will be assigned a new letter. Let's call it H for example. This brings up 2 questions:
1) If I later use the BIOS or the F11 boot menu to boot into the old drive, will the old drive then be seen as C and the new drive will become something else? I would assume it would.
2) If I have a program such as Acrobat Pro on the original drive (now "H"), can I launch and run it off that drive even if I have booted into the new drive? Or do I need to reinstall it because it needs to see the new C drive registry? I know I'll be able to eventually see this via trial and error, but I'm curious if I will have to reinstall everything or if some programs can stay on the old drive.

And if I have the time and the patience to do it, is this still a better option than cloning? I have a copy of Acronis True Image, but I guess I always thought a clean install was best.

 

[DavidE]

1) If I later use the BIOS or the F11 boot menu to boot into the old drive, will the old drive then be seen as C and the new drive will become something else? I would assume it would.

When you boot either OS, that OS (disk/partition) should been seen as the "C" drive.
If that is not what you see, let us know.
It'd be best if you post a screen print of your disk management.
Here is a tutorial by Golden:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

I have multi-boot PCs, and I remove the drive letter for other (not booted) OS drives/partitions.
That helps keep me from making a mistake and making a change to the wrong (not booted) partition.

If I want to see or access other "OS partitions", I temporarily do one of these:
- Assign a drive letter
- Mount a System Backup Image

2) If I have a program such as Acrobat Pro on the original drive (now "H"), can I launch and run it off that drive even if I have booted into the new drive? Or do I need to reinstall it because it needs to see the new C drive registry? I know I'll be able to eventually see this via trial and error, but I'm curious if I will have to reinstall everything or if some programs can stay on the old drive.

No, you can't run an installed program that is installed on the other OS.
Installed programs need to be installed on each OS where you want to run them from.

Some programs have Portable/Standalone versions, so you can have a single "copy" of that program and use it from either OS.
I don't have Acrobat Pro, but I would GUESS that doesn't have a portable version.
You need to look at each program you use, and see if a portable version is available.

 

[Rhinny62]

Thanks again for the replies. I figured I would have to reinstall the programs, which is no big deal since I'm taking my time on it.

So tell me if this scenario should work:
1) I install Win 7 on the new ssd after unplugging everything else.
2) Once I have windows up and running, chipset drivers, lan drivers, etc., I plan on plugging in my mechanical drives (internal data drive, internal backup drive and an external backup drive) so that the new OS sees them.
3) Then I'll probably plug in the old ssd and use the BIOS to make sure it boots to the new one.
4) Now I should be able to copy any files I have on the old ssd over to the new one since it will be simply seen as an additional drive (even though it has an OS on it).

Sound right?

And once I set the boot priority in the BIOS, I shouldn't have to choose anything off the start-up splash screen. Correct?

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, that`s how it will work, but why are you copying files over ? That`s what the other drives are for, storage.

The only files you might keep on the ssd are maybe a few pictures for your wallpaper.

And cloning would be just foolish (IMO) where`s the fun in that ? Start fresh, make it perfect

 

[Rhinny62]

Some of the programs I use keep all my customization files on the OS drive deep under AppData. I tried moving them and the programs protest (many of these are Autodesk programs and they are not very flexible. Low flexibility, High Price - I believe that is their logo) so I may want the ease of grabbing something here or there. I have them on 2 backup drives, but I may want a visual check to make sure everything is the same once they are up and running.

 

[gregrocker]

Just ignore the Appdata files. In all of the installs I've done, whether moving the User folders off the C drive or not, these have never been a consideration at all. If you have file buildup then run CCleaner at defaults regularly. You can also set Internet Options>Advanced to delete temporary files when you close browser to save space. I would never move the User profile, only User folders you use. I would get a bigger SSD before turning off Hibernate or trimming paging file from System Managed.

 

[Rhinny62]

I wouldn't actually be copying an entire User folder, but programs such as Autocad store all customization settings in AppData/Roaming/...etc. There are many individual files that I will want copied onto the new drive and I will want to make sure my setup is identical so I want to be able to visually see the folders side by side.
With the 128gb SSD, I did turn off hibernation because I never use it and it gave me back an enormous amount of space. I also changes my page file to 1024 min, 8190 max and it stays at the 1024 because I have 32gb ram. I may leave those alone on the new drive - haven't decided yet.

 

[Layback Bear]

Just a suggestion.

To make things easier I would thing a larger ssd in the area of 240 gigs to 500 gigs would work better.
That way you could have Windows 7 and your most used programs on the same ssd.

Put that with the 32 gigs of ram you have should make you a happy camper.

 

[Rhinny62]

I agree. That's what I'm actually doing now as I try to migrate everything from my current 128gb to a new 256gb.