Switching windows install from HDD to SSD

[jamsandwich]

Hey guys.

I realise there is another SSD thread here but I don't believe it is appropriate to myself.

I just bought myself a new SSD which I would like to install 7 onto to use as my boot drive. therefore, i need to clear the Windows install from the HDD that I already have.

What is the process for doing this? Do I just pop in the SSD, install windows onto that and then format my HDD afterwards?

Will I need to make changes in my BIOS settings?

Thankyou,

JAM

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello jamsandwich, welcome to Seven forums!





Have a look at the tutorial at the link below, I would do this to the HDD first so you will have no issues when Windows 7 needs to boot from the SSD, if you don't then it'll end up as a dual boot which is a pain to remove later.
Just be advised make backups of any data on the HDD first as this will over-write any data on the HDD and it will be lost.
You can do the "clean all" and when it finishes you can go straight to the clean install to finish up.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[whs]

If you do what you say, you will end up with the MBR for the SSD 7 on the HDD. I suggest you do the following. Disconnect the HDD and install Win7 on the SSD. Then change the boot sequence in the BIOS to first boot with the SSD. Now you can run your SSD 7 normally and reformat/delete/or whatever the HDD Win7.
If it is the same Win7, you will have to uninstall the HDD 7 before you activate the SSD 7.

 

[Wishmaster]

Although basically the same as suugested already, I do this slightly differently.

Being a new SSD:

Before installing the SSD, back up any data you want to keep to external drives, DVD or whatever you prefer.

Then, Boot from your Win7 Disc, and at the set up menu SHIFT+F10.

Use the diskpart CMD to "clean" the current HD that has 7 insatlled on it and any other Drives you may want cleaned while here.


Shut down, and disconnect all spinning drives.
Connect only the SSD and install 7 as you noramlly would.

After installed, shut down, connect the spinning drives.
Boot up & use Win7s disk manager to create partitions however you choose and format/label them.

 

[Ztruker]

Whishmaster, why do it that way? If you just disconnect the old drive and install to the SSD, then reconnect the old drive, all you data should be there and available for you to copy to the SSD before formatting the old drive.

No need to back it up else where, though everyone should have a good backup as part of normal computer use.

 

[Wishmaster]

The only reason is that after a fresh install on the SSD,

I like to have the spinning drives empty and unallocted when I connect them for the 1st time on the clean install.

Do you need? of course not.
Its just my preference is all. Should of made that part more clear.

 

[jamsandwich]

Wow, thanks for the incredibly prompt replies.

The removing the hard disk method sounds great. Although I'm not entirely sure which drive (physically) I have Windows installed on. That would mean disconnecting both of them, which seems like a bit of a hassle.

Would the MBR still be present using Bare Foot Kids method? The plan is to get all my drives clean. BFK's tutorial 'looks' the most hassle-free.

One other question...is it entirely necessary to create partitions, as in step 2 of BFK tutorial? I have two HDDs which I plan to use for storage and my SDD will be for Windows and certain software.

 

[Petey7]

Removing all other drives is highly recommended. Sometimes the MBR is installed on the wrong drive, so one of the secondary drives being absent would render the OS unbootable.

Creating the partition as described in step 2 of BFK's tutorial is optional. It depends on if you want the 100MB system reserve partition. If you'd prefer no to have it, then use the steps he describes. If you don't mind having the partition, skip the step.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I guess it's just me but I like to have all the partitions in sequence, C: D: E: ... ect. which you can't get without a lot of re-lettering after the install, it they are all created before the install they will be in order.

If you're not sure which HDD is which, disconnect them and just leave the SSD connected and do the install, then after, connect them back and you will have access to your data and the boot files will only be on the SSD.

 

[jamsandwich]

OK, the whole process is a lot more complex and time-consuming than I thought it was going to be but I'm glad I asked.

I'm not worried about keeping all my data on the HDD. I want it clean, already made my backup.

I'm at work just now, but I'll work on it when I get home and let you know how I'm getting on. Or if not, assume that I'm lost somewhere inside my new enclosure...and send help...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Yes do keep us informed, if we don't hear from you in a fortnight we'll send in the calvary.

 

[whs]

I think you are seeing more than there is to it. I have done that type installation a few times. For your convenience, let me just repeat the few simple steps:

1. Backup all your user data - which you have apparently already done. It is also useful to make a list of all the programs you have installed so that you remember them. And make sure you save the product keys for any purchased programs. You will need those when you reinstall those programs. I would also download the installation .iso of your AV program of choice - e.g. MSE and save it on the backup disk.
2. Install the SSD
3. Unplug the HDD with the current OS. It is easy to check whether you got the right disk - just shut down the PC and then power it up again. If you current OS does not boot, then you unplugged the right HDD. It is not really neccessary to unplug the other HDD also. Also unplug all USB attached devices and the ethernet/internet cable.
4. Shut off the PC again, throw the Win7 installation disk into the optical reader (which is usually the first boot device - if not, you have to set the boot sequence in the BIOS accordingly), shut the bay and switch power on. It should now start the installation process. Select the SSD as disk to where you want to install. It should take about 20 to 30 minutes to install the whole OS. When it gets to the point where you are asked to activate Win7, defer that because you still have the other Win7 installed. Work it to completion of the installation.
5. Power off the PC - then power on again and go into the BIOS setup. Keep tapping the corresponding Function key - the BIOS splash screen will say which is which. Set the SSD as second boot device (after the optical reader which I would always keep as first boot device). Then load your new Win7.
6. Install the AV program from your saved .iso as first step.
7. Get your user files from the backup into the respective new Win7 folders. Should there be any problems, you can also access your user files on your old HDD installation from your new Win7. Just go to Computer > double click on the HDD win7 > users > your name > and voila, there they are
8. Once you are satisfied that your user files are in good order, you can reformat the HDD partition that contains your old Win7
9. Plug everything back in - USB devices, ethernet cable. Now you will be blessed with driver installations and a lot of updates.
10. Now you can activate your new SSD win7 - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3408-activate-windows-7-online.html
11. Install all your other programs - I usually do that on an "as needed" basis. Then it is not so much work at one time.

Have fun.

PS: If you print this little guideline, then you can follow it and don't have to remember all that stuff.

 

[jamsandwich]

Well, I've built the whole PC up from scratch. My first ever build and it seems to have gone perfectly. Getting a decent temp on my CPU so far (which was my main worry).

Also, thanks to your guides i have Windows 7 installed on my SSD. That's about as far as I've gotten so far. I'll have to do some proper stress testing tonight (as I'm paranoid about whether or not I've got my heatsink installed properly).

Looking forward to getting back to my games.

Again, cheers for the help guys.

 

[whs]

That is great. Congratulations. Job well done.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again, glad all is going well; thanks for the update.