Installing new SSD with existing HDD

driedupfish · Jul 31, 2013

Hi all, I am planning on purchasing a new SSD as my primary boot drive, for gaming purposes. I am currently using a 1 TB HDD (Wind 8 installed) and is intended to use it as a secondary storage drive for everything else.

My question is, do I have to wipe clean my HDD before re-installing windows 8 on both SDD and HDD? I am not sure how the process of adding a SSD goes. Tell me if this is right:

1. Unplug the existing HDD
2. Plug in SSD and install windows.
3. Plug back the HDD.
4. Voila!

Now, when should I set which drive as primary in the BIOS? Before I plug back the HDD or after?

Thanks.

burdenbound · Jul 31, 2013

If you have an external I would back up the data on your main HDD then when you install the SSD wipe the HDD so it's clean. You will eventually want to format it so you get all the operating system files off of it. What you could do if you don't have an external is do what you just listed and once windows is on the SSD you could transfer files from your HDD to the SSD and then format the HDD. Expect to reinstall all programs of course.

RetiredChief · Jul 31, 2013

All you need to do is:
1) Disconnect the HDD
2) Connect the SSD
3) Install windows on SSD
after install, let windows do its updates, load drivers and programs.
4) reconnect the HDD,
For Added - Step X
set Bios boot priority to drive that you will most often boot to.

Now Say boot priority is set to SSD and you want to boot to the HDD:
.. When you power on (or reboot) during Post (before getting message "loading operating system", Hit the Hot key that brings up a boot menu and select the HDD, The system will now boot to the HDD.
NOTE: this does NOT change Bios boot priority, so if you reboot, or power off - the system will boot to the SSD unless you again hit the Hot key.
.. Hot key - for my gigabyte MB it is F12, for My Asrock MB it is F11 (Think Asus is also F11)

Added:
I prefer the clean instal, but this will also work.
.. Use a migration app and migrate your OS from the HDD to the SSD Migration would be JUST the OS + programs - NOT your Data.
My prefered program is Ez-Gig-IV.
Cost about $15-> $20 from Newegg. Cost is for the SATA -> USB cable adaptor which is required for the software to work BUT come in handy for other uses.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812161004
NOTE: If supplied software is version II go to ebsite and download version IV which is free.

When done disconnect SSD and install internally, then follow step X

driedupfish · Jul 31, 2013

@ RetiredChief

I've read that cloning the OS is not recommended so I will just do a clean install. I believe I should reformat my HDD BEFORE installing windows, no?

RetiredChief · Jul 31, 2013

You Can do what ever with the HDD. I was under the impression you wanted to retain and be able to boot to both the SSD and the HDD.
FIRST, Make sure you disconnect the HDD when installing OS on the SSD!!!!
You can reformat the HDD AFTER you have installed OS onto the SSD and RECONNECTED the HDD.

YES a Clean install is the Recommended method.
Proper Migration is 2nd best
Cloning is NOT recommended.
NOTE there is a difference between Migration and CLONING. Often these two terms get interchanged. Cloning is a 1 to 1 DIRECT copy. Migration makes changes as it copies.

Search

Installing new SSD with existing HDD

driedupfish

Honorable

RetiredChief

burdenbound

Splendid

RetiredChief

Judicious

driedupfish

Honorable

RetiredChief

Judicious

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page