Solved W7 on separate SSD

[Captain Morgan]

Hi All,

New to this forum, sorry I didn't find alot sooner

I am waiting for my new 128 SSD and Windows 7. I currently have Vista on my Hard dirve. I would like to make the W7/SSD the new boot drive and just use the Vista HDD for storage.

Need some help on setting this up.

Thanks in advance!

 

[whs]

I wrote a little guide for this purpose. If you have further questions, post back: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

PS: Brink is right. if you make a new Win7 install from an installation disk, things are a lot easier. I recommend though to disconnect the HDD during the Win7 installation. You may still want to read the part about moving the user files.

 

[Brink]

Hello Captain Morgan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a retail copy of Windows 7, then you could format the Vista HDD during a clean install of Windows 7, then just select the SSD to install Windows 7 on.

Before you start, be sure that you have AHCI mode selected instead of IDE in your BIOS settings.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Wishmaster]

Your choice which way to proceed but, I too am a big supporter of just doing a clean install onto the new SSD.

Although it is quite possible to just move things over, a clean install may actually be much simpler in the long run.
Also the fact a clean installation is always a plus

As suggested, make sure you switch to AHCI mode.
But I would also like to add:
Unplug the other HD, leaving only the SSD connected when you do the clean install.
Hook the other back up back up once Windows is installed and up & running.

 

[Shootist]

If you want to do a clean install on the SSD please disconnect the other drive while you are doing the install. And make sure you put the SSD on the first SATA port in the system. Which will be labeled either port 0 (zero) or 1 depending on how the manufacturer labels them.

 

[Captain Morgan]

THANKS for all the help and guides!

Joe

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Joe. Glad we could help.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Hi All,

Back for more help...arrgh!

Ok, I removed hard drive with instaleed vista. Inserted SSD and installed W7 from the cd.

But, I must have missed something. W7 is up and running just fine
I put the Vista HDD back in, (front expansion sata) rack.

Now, it seems whatever I do, the system can't find the HDD. I 've tried the CMOS and it's not there and W7 doesn't detect either?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Brink]

Hello Joe,

Does it show up in Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)?

 

[Captain Morgan]

No, it doesn't show up there.

 

[whs]

Can you put it on a normal Sata port. Not sure what you mean by "eSata rack"

 

[Captain Morgan]

My bad, It is a hot swap on the front of the machine, it just slides in. It is a regular SATA port.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Britton30]

yup, connect the HDD to the motherboard, not a case eSATA port.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Finally it is detected After taking it in out three times, found it was not seated correctly...I guess the 4th time is a charm!

Now, I need to find out how to access the files on it.

THANKS ALOT!
Joe

 

[whs]

Yeah, I use one of those docks too. You have to be very precise when you insert the disks. Especially 2.5" disks sometimes do not seat right. The 3.5" are easier.

 

[Britton30]

Glad to hear it is working Captain, sir.