Need Help Moving Windows 7 From an HDD to an SSD

imDudekid · Apr 8, 2013

Basically, I just purchased a new PC from iBuyPower.
I ordered a 2TB HDD as well as a 128 GB SSD.

I forgot however to explain that I wish for the OS (Windows 7) to be put onto the SSD.
The PC is scheduled to arrive in the mail any minute now and I am worried that the OS will be installed to the HDD and I will not be able to move it over to the SSD easily. I am by no means computer savy, so I was looking for some advice from you guys and gals.

I do however need to head off to work soon and will be reading these comments when I arrive home. But please give me your ideas on how I can go about moving the OS if it were to be on the HDD or if you believe they may have put it on the SSD for me. I am posting this before I actually get it only because I do not want to have to wait for a reply when it is sitting directly in front of me. I will be itching to play some videogames. =P

thomann061 · Apr 8, 2013

If you added the hdd as an option then the ssd will be your boot. vice-versa.

imDudekid · Apr 8, 2013

thomann061 :

I believe I bought it as the HDD as the primary accidentally, this is why I am asking for help with a move.

RetiredChief · Apr 8, 2013

Easier done than it souunds like.
first - Prep steps.
1) verify that the OS was installed on the HDD with the BIOS set to AHCI, Most likely is.
.. You can either go into bios and check, or down load AS SSD, install and ruin (don't run benchmark), just look in upper left for driver - should be msahci or a Intel driver such as iaSTor (if a AMD CPU then a AMD Driver).
AS SSD: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=as+ssd+benchmark+download&oq=AS+SSD+&gs_l=serp.1.1.0l4.0.0.1.1090.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.crnk_timepromotiona..0.0...1..8.psy-ab.S6VRtIdR2X8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=de96e2d49dcfc700&biw=1352&bih=809

.. If by chance they installed using IDE Mode, the driver would be pcide (NOTE pcide = BAD) and YOU NEED to correct. SEE: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976
Select "Fix it for me" then reboot, go to bios and chanf IDE -> Ahci.

.. Next They probably did not partition the drive so that the OS is lmited in size.
So to correct:
A) Disable Hibernation and reboot.
SEE: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920730
DO not re-enable.
B) Shrink your "C" volume to say 95 gigs. NOTE: 95 gigs is about the correct usable size for a 128 gig SSD. NOE: a 128 gig drive is really about 121 gigs formated, Plus you should leave about 20 % free so that Wear Leveling, Garbage Control and Trim can work their magic.
.. To Shrink Volume, SEE: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/quick-tip-shrink-a-hard-drive-volume-in-windows-7/3616
NOTE: If you get windows 8, just google Shrink C in windows 8 (pretty much the same)

Done with prep.
You are now ready to MIGRATE (NOT clone) your "C" drive to SSD. There are several programs that will do this, so this is just one.
EasyUS: This is a free program, just select Easy Disk copy home version: http://www.easeus.com/backup/

Follow instruction (Basiclly boot to the CD, Select your HDD as source and your SSD as distination. when done, reboot, go to bios and select the SSD as first boot device.

Added: The program I like the best is Ez Gig, but it does cost about $18 from newegg - comes with a required SATA ->USB cable.

imDudekid · Apr 8, 2013

RetiredChief :

Easier done than it souunds like.
first - Prep steps.
1) verify that the OS was installed on the HDD with the BIOS set to AHCI, Most likely is.
.. You can either go into bios and check, or down load AS SSD, install and ruin (don't run benchmark), just look in upper left for driver - should be msahci or a Intel driver such as iaSTor (if a AMD CPU then a AMD Driver).
AS SSD: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=as+ssd+benchmark+download&oq=AS+SSD+&gs_l=serp.1.1.0l4.0.0.1.1090.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.crnk_timepromotiona..0.0...1..8.psy-ab.S6VRtIdR2X8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=de96e2d49dcfc700&biw=1352&bih=809

.. If by chance they installed using IDE Mode, the driver would be pcide (NOTE pcide = BAD) and YOU NEED to correct. SEE: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976
Select "Fix it for me" then reboot, go to bios and chanf IDE -> Ahci.

.. Next They probably did not partition the drive so that the OS is lmited in size.
So to correct:
A) Disable Hibernation and reboot.
SEE: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920730
DO not re-enable.
B) Shrink your "C" volume to say 95 gigs. NOTE: 95 gigs is about the correct usable size for a 128 gig SSD. NOE: a 128 gig drive is really about 121 gigs formated, Plus you should leave about 20 % free so that Wear Leveling, Garbage Control and Trim can work their magic.
.. To Shrink Volume, SEE: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/quick-tip-shrink-a-hard-drive-volume-in-windows-7/3616
NOTE: If you get windows 8, just google Shrink C in windows 8 (pretty much the same)

Done with prep.
You are now ready to MIGRATE (NOT clone) your "C" drive to SSD. There are several programs that will do this, so this is just one.
EasyUS: This is a free program, just select Easy Disk copy home version: http://www.easeus.com/backup/

Follow instruction (Basiclly boot to the CD, Select your HDD as source and your SSD as distination. when done, reboot, go to bios and select the SSD as first boot device.

Added: The program I like the best is Ez Gig, but it does cost about $18 from newegg - comes with a required SATA ->USB cable.

This seems like it could be VERY helpful, but as I already stated, I am not smart when it comes to computers so what you are saying is like another language to me.

RetiredChief · Apr 8, 2013

As I said, sounds diff, but is NOT.
Just click on the links, and a detailed explanation/steps are provided.

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Need Help Moving Windows 7 From an HDD to an SSD

imDudekid

Honorable

thomann061

Honorable

imDudekid

Honorable

RetiredChief

Judicious

imDudekid

Honorable

RetiredChief

Judicious

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