Transfering Windows 7 to SSD from HDD on new laptop?

[DellXPS14]

I just purchased a Dell XPS 14 laptop that has two hard drives, a 500 GB standard hard drive and a secondary 120 GB SSD. From device manager I found that the standard HDD is in the 0 spot and the secondary SSD is in the 1 position.

Currently everything is on the standard drive, my SSD is completely empty.

What I want to do is make the SSD my primary drive so my computer boots quicker, runs windows smoother, etc. I will then use the 500GB drive to store media.

I do have a reinstallation DVD for windows 7 but the problem is I don't have an optical drive on the laptop.

Any suggestions? Thanks again

 

[bigmck]

I just purchased a Dell XPS 14 laptop that has two hard drives, a 500 GB standard hard drive and a secondary 120 GB SSD. From device manager I found that the standard HDD is in the 0 spot and the secondary SSD is in the 1 position.

Currently everything is on the standard drive, my SSD is completely empty.

What I want to do is make the SSD my primary drive so my computer boots quicker, runs windows smoother, etc. I will then use the 500GB drive to store media.

I do have a reinstallation DVD for windows 7 but the problem is I don't have an optical drive on the laptop.

Any suggestions? Thanks again

See if this tutorial gets you on the right track. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

 

[DellXPS14]

Thanks, I will make a USB bootable key. (if for some reason the bootable key doesn't work can I use a USB optical drive to run the original windows 7 reinstallation CD?)

How do I go about doing everything else? Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to windows.

I need to do the following:

-learn how to wipe my laptop
-make the SSD my primary drive
-reinstall windows 7 to the SSD

Thanks again

 

[bigmck]

Thanks, I will make a USB bootable key. (if for some reason the bootable key doesn't work can I use a USB optical drive to run the original windows 7 reinstallation CD?)

How do I go about doing everything else? Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to windows.

I need to do the following:

-learn how to wipe my laptop
-make the SSD my primary drive
-reinstall windows 7 to the SSD

Thanks again

I am not familiar with a USB Optical Drive. == You can wipe your hard disk by using this tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/172617-secure-erase-wipe-definition-methods.html I am not sure why you want to do this. This will erase everything from the HDD. Is that what you want to do? ==
When you are installing Win 7 to the SSD, unplug all other drives from the motherboard. The SSD will automatically become drive C:. You would install win 7 from your USB using this tutorial. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html == If you have any other questions, just ask away.

 

[DellXPS14]

Is it absolutely nesseary to remove the HDD in slot 0 prior to installing windows 7 on the SDD?

On a side note, why do you say you're not sure why I should wipe the current 500 GB hdd?

 

[bigmck]

Is it absolutely nesseary to remove the HDD in slot 0 prior to installing windows 7 on the SDD?

On a side note, why do you say you're not sure why I should wipe the current 500 GB hdd?

You don't need to remove the HDD, just unplug it from the motherboard. If you don't files will get installed on it and you will have a mess. If you are referring to having your SSD in slot 0 or slot 1, it is not that big a deal. If it is in slot zero, it is preferred, but I just switched mine this morning and I can't tell any difference. == If you have files on the HDD that you want to erase then you can do that. I was just curious why you wanted to erase all of your files from the 500 GB.

 

[DellXPS14]

I thought I would have to wipe the HDD because it currently has windows 7 on it. If I unplug it, install windows 7 on the SSD won't windows 7 be on both HDDS when I plug the traditional HDD back in? Thats why I thought i'd have to wipe it (the computer is brand new so I don't have anything important on it).

As of now I understand the will try the following:

1: unplug the 500 HDD and turn the laptop on.
2: once I turn the computer on there will no OS found so it will prompt me to install windows with the USB key I made. I will then install the OS onto the SSD.
3: once i'm back into the computer i'll turn it off, connect the traditional HDD back in and boot the laptop back up

At this point, wouldn't windows be on both HDDs? (this is the reason I thought I should wipe the traditional HDD before connecting it back to the motherboard)

 

[bigmck]

I thought I would have to wipe the HDD because it currently has windows 7 on it. If I unplug it, install windows 7 on the SSD won't windows 7 be on both HDDS when I plug the traditional HDD back in? Thats why I thought i'd have to wipe it (the computer is brand new so I don't have anything important on it).

As of now I understand the will try the following:

1: unplug the 500 HDD and turn the laptop on.
2: once I turn the computer on there will no OS found so it will prompt me to install windows with the USB key I made. I will then install the OS onto the SSD.
3: once i'm back into the computer i'll turn it off, connect the traditional HDD back in and boot the laptop back up

At this point, wouldn't windows be on both HDDs? (this is the reason I thought I should wipe the traditional HDD before connecting it back to the motherboard)

You should have the Flash Drive in the USB when you boot so the PC can find it and boot. It won't prompt you, it will just stop because no OS is installed. Be sure you have set you bios so the USB boots first, then yous SSD. == Leave the HDD unplugged for all of the installation. This is important. == Yes, Windows will be on both the SSD and the HDD, but it will boot from the SSD because the SSD will be your C: drive automatically. Your HDD will become something else. You want to leave your files on the HDD until the SSD is working OK. We can talk about getting the Win 7 off the HDD later.

To Recap. Only have the SSD connected to the motherboard. Boot the PC with the Flash Drive in the USB port. Windows should start loading on the SSD. Stay in front of the computer the whole time, don't leave. When it gets to the part where it asks if you want to put in your Product Key and activate online, don't do it. There will be a box checked so you will need to uncheck the box. When Win 7 is installed to your satisfaction, you can put in the Product Key and activate. If you have any questions before you start, please ask. Good luck

 

[gregrocker]

In addition there are tips here that will assure you get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The USB DVD drive will work fine booted using dell F12 key, or you can extract the Dell Reinstall DVD ISO using ImgBurn then write to stick using UltraISO Software To Create Bootable USB Flash Drive.

Once you've installed to the SSD you can plug back in the other HDD making sure SSD remains set first HD to boot in BIOS setup. Run all Optional and IMportant Windows Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3). Once all rounds of Updates are done for any drivers still missing in Device manager browse to the HD Windows/System32 to pick up the driver for install. Driver Install - Device Manager

You seem to have enough room on the SSD for User folder data so to copy it over browse to the HD User folder (Documents, etc) for Organize tab Select All, then drag the group to the Documents library on left hand explorer bar. Don't release the left click until it unfolds and the hypertext confirms destination.

Once everything is running fine and you're ready you can wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command and repartition in Disk Mgmt.

 

[DellXPS14]

Thanks for all of the help, much appreciated.

Can someone clarify how to do this:

"If you booted from the USB drive to install Windows 7, then you may need to change the hard drive back to being listed before the USB key in the boot order in BIOS after the computer restarts during installation to prevent the computer from booting right back into the USB key starting the installation process over and over."

 

[bigmck]

Thanks for all of the help, much appreciated.

Can someone clarify how to do this:

"If you booted from the USB drive to install Windows 7, then you may need to change the hard drive back to being listed before the USB key in the boot order in BIOS after the computer restarts during installation to prevent the computer from booting right back into the USB key starting the installation process over and over."

After you install Windows, go back in your Bios and change the boot order. It should be your DVD first and then your Hard Drive with your Windows on it next. You must have changed the boot order before you installed Windows. Just go in the same way and change the boot order again as I described above.

 

[whs]

Is it absolutely nesseary to remove the HDD in slot 0 prior to installing windows 7 on the SDD?

On a side note, why do you say you're not sure why I should wipe the current 500 GB hdd?

If you don't disconnect the HDD on port0, you may end up with your bootmgr on the HDD and the system on the SSD. This is not really dramatic and it can be fixed, but it is an unnecessary detour.

 

[DellXPS14]

Thanks for all of the help, much appreciated.

Can someone clarify how to do this:

"If you booted from the USB drive to install Windows 7, then you may need to change the hard drive back to being listed before the USB key in the boot order in BIOS after the computer restarts during installation to prevent the computer from booting right back into the USB key starting the installation process over and over."

After you install Windows, go back in your Bios and change the boot order. It should be your DVD first and then your Hard Drive with your Windows on it next. You must have changed the boot order before you installed Windows. Just go in the same way and change the boot order again as I described above.

Alright, wouldn't I make the SSD 1st because I don't have a DVD drive?

I think i'm going to try it tonight, I have my USB made up.

On a side note, will I need to repeat this process of unplugging the HD when I do a factory reset in the future?

 

[gregrocker]

If you're doing a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then you'll probably not want to do the inferior factory recovery again. Instead after you get it set up and running as you like, save a Win7 backup image to the HD to use in place of Recovery. It's all in the tutorial.

 

[DellXPS14]

Just installed a clean version of windows 7, the computer is incredibly speedy.

I do however have an issue. I can't seem to connect to my wireless network?

The computer seems very bare. There are 9 items under "other devices" in device manager that have yellow question marks. I've read that the devices will be automatically installed once I run all of the windows updates but I can't access to internet to run the updates.

I'm going to hold off on putting the other HDD in until everything is running smoothly.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[DellXPS14]

Also, I forgot to note, I never was given the "activate windows" box when filling in my user name/ time zone etc. It skipped over the "network connection" page also where you normally select either home, office or public network connection

 

[gregrocker]

Normally if you have the ethernet cable plugged in you'll get the driver 90% of the time and be ready to connect at boot, wireless is installed only about 60% of the time.

This is why it says in the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 tutorial to put your wireless or ethernet driver in your backup so that if the installer doesn't provide it you can install it to get online quickly to do all Important and Optional updates which will require several rounds with restarts.
. Driver Install - Device Manager
Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)

As it also says in the tutorial you find the wireless or ethernet driver on the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or device.

There are tips on installing all of your needed apps and programs and even a mass installer for the most important ones in the tutorial as well.

The Dell Reinstallation DVD self activates.

 

[DellXPS14]

Thanks, I looked around dells site for drivers and found the following:

Drivers & Downloads | Dell United States

Would I want to download all of the drivers listed or just the network driver and let windows update take care of all the needed drivers? Thanks again for the help

 

[gregrocker]

I already answered that question, and if you'd take the time to read Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 you'd already have known the answer.

The blue link provides detailed steps given that will absolutely assure you get and keep a perfect install as long as you stick with the methods and tools in the tutorial.

 

[DellXPS14]

Sorry to be a bother, I have looked through the tutorials in detail but am still having issues.

I downloaded the drivers from dells website (they came out to 1gb) and pasted the "cabinet file" into my drivers. When trying to update the drivers in device manager Windows cannot find them.

Maybe I do not have the correct drivers. What I have is a Cabinet file with over 3000 files into (a few are compressed)