windows 7 on new ssd, old hdd for data

[kurtbluff]

I apologize if this is covered, but i couldn't find my specific situation in any of the threads on the subject.

I currently run Vista Ultimate 64 bit on a 500gb HDD. I have recently purchased the UPGRADE version of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit as well as a new 80GB SDD.

End state, I want 7 installed on the SDD and nothing but my data files on the HDD (i've read the tips of tuning the install and 7 for SDDs and am comfortable with that).

When I go to do the install, I'm expecting to be able to format the HDD to remove vista entirely, leaving me with a blank SSD and a blank HDD, then do a clean install onto the SSD of windows 7.

Are there any "gotcha" type of items for me to keep in mind? Is there anything stopping me from this? It's been awhile since i reinstalled an OS. Can I do all of the above mentioned formatting from the Custom installer?

Thanks for any clarification.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello kurtbluff, welcome to Seven Forums!



Have a look at the info below for some ideas so you can take your time getting rid of Vista.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version



Be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

   Information

The easiest way to do away with boot issues between separate Operating Systems (OS) is to use the BIOS one time boot menu to select which OS to boot at system startup, each motherboard has an individual hot-key to tap during system start-up to access this menu.

If you have 2 separate Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and have one OS installed to one HDD and you want to install another OS to the second HDD, disconnect the HDD with the first OS installed on it and leave only the HDD you want to install the second OS to connected.

Just be sure not to change where the original HDD SATA cable was connected, it has to be re-connected to the exact same port to avoid boot issues.

Install the second OS to the connected HDD and when complete and the system is booting good, power down and reconnect the first HDD with the first OS on it.

This way the OSs will boot independently of each other and there will be no boot conflicts between the 2 separate OSs to have to sort later.

Then set the BIOS to boot the HDD / OS you want as default and if you want to start the other (new) OS you use the BIOS one-time boot menu to select that HDD / OS to start when the PC is started.

​

 

[kurtbluff]

I follow the above, but I do not want to end up dual booting, I want to do away with the Vista install.

Is it better to format the old HDD prior to installing 7? Or to follow the method below and then format it once 7 is up and running from the new SDD?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you've made backups of everything you want from the Vista install and there is nothing at all you want to save from the entire Hard Disk Drive (HDD) then you can do a wipe "secure erase" of the HDD using the Windows 7 installer using Method Two, Step One in this tutorial at the link below, then when the wipe is finished you can carry on with the install; just have the Solid State Drive (SSD) connected before you start.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[gregrocker]

I'd keep Vista on the Data drive until you are up and running with the Win7 SSD.

Unplug it during install of WIn7 on the SSD, using one of the workarounds Ted posted to Clean Install Upgrade version to a new disk.

When you plug it back in after 7 install, if you need to boot Vista you can do so using Ted's information about booting via BIOS Boot Menu key. Otherwise make sure you have all of your data out of it and are done with Vista, then wipe the drive from the Win7 Command Line using this method: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Create and format your data partitions in Disk Mgmt. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

 

[whs]

The easiest would be if you created a Data Partition still under Vista ( http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html ) since I assume that all your data is currently under Vista. Then you can either delete the remaining Vista C partition ( use the CD version of this program: BEST FREE Partition Manager Software for Windows supports all 32-bit & 64 bit Windows No-server OS. ) or follow the advice that Greg gave by disconnecting the HDD whilst installing win7 on the SSD. Then you go to the Data Partition from win7 and "Include" the folders into the appropriate libraries (right click on the folder > Include in library).

 

[DeaconFrost]

Blank out the old drive, and then disconnect it from the system. Install Windows 7 using the clean install method to the SSD, and when that is booting on it's own, then add in your old drive, format it in Disk Management, give it a letter (even if you have to rearrange your optical drive to E so you can make the HDD as D...simple to do), and then you'll be good to go.