General SSD Help

HYP3Rl0N

Honorable
Jan 24, 2013
12
0
10,510
Hi,

I recently bought a SSD for my Computer to help it boot up faster. Its plugged in and my Computer recognizes it when I changed the settings in the boot menu, but when I try to move all the boot files, there is no "SSD" to put the files into, only a C: and a D: (which isn't it). I'm not completely computer illiterate, but I'm certainly no genius (obviously). I know it works and my Computer recognizes the drive, but I simply can't find it when I'm not on the boot menu. I don't know what other information you may need so I'll throw out as much as possible

MSI MS-7613 Motherboard
Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz
12 GB (4 x 2 GB, 2 x 2 GB) DDR3 PC3-10600
500 GB 7200 rpm SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
120 GB SATA III SSD 6.0 Gb/sec
Windows 7 Home Premium
2009 (that's when I got it) HP Pavilion Elite 9250t

Any help would be great thanks in advance.
 
Solution


You can't just "move the boot files" to a new drive. You need to install your Windows OS to the SSD. You have a couple of choices to do this: you can do a fresh install from your Windows cd (preferred method) or you can use a freeware cloning program to "copy" your current HDD to your new SSD.

If you go with the fresh install, make sure the SSD is the only storage drive hooked up - disconnect your existing hard drive(s) so that only the new SSD and your cd drive are on the system. Install windows, get on the web and update your motherboard drivers, SSD drivers/firmware, update windows, get your anti-virus going. Once you are completely set up, shut down your machine, plug in your old hard drives and reboot. On reboot, get into your bios and set your new SSD as the primary boot drive. There is a great tutorial for setting up a new SSD here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

If you clone, follow the instructions with the cloning software. The problem with cloning is any existing issues you have with your system will be brought along to your new drive. A fresh install is really the way to go.

Mark
 
Solution