Setting up an SSD

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ThomasMagnus

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Feb 25, 2012
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I have a bit of a complex setup here due to me having an upgrade license of windows 7 and a full windows XP. I am looking for some advice on if what I am doing is a good idea.

So, I just bought an Intel 120GB SSD, and am using it with an ASUS P5QL PRO Mobo. I have to install Windows XP on it first for the upgrade. It won't recognize the drive on AHCI mode (with XP), so I would switch it to IDE mode. Once XP is installed I would switch it back to AHCI mode and install windows 7.

Does this seem OK?

Thanks! :)
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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It shouldn't conflict with the product key AFAIK. There is the option of using the floppy SATA chipset driver for XP install (press F6 to install SATA driver) though that would require you to pick up a USB floppy drive and disk which would become useless after that one use. It would probably be easier just to do what you propose.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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As I read it the OP isn't doing a dual boot but needs to install XP first to upgrade to 7 (because his key for 7 is an upgrade key)

.. then again, I just recalled a method called "double install method"

It may not be technically supported by MS but it should work...

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_use_your_windows_7_upgrade_disk_fresh_pc
 
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ThomasMagnus

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Yeah i'm not looking to do a dual boot. I will reformat the drive when installing 7. Should I format the drive when installing 7? Or do I just select the SSD in the seven installation interface?
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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The best option would be a format, particularly since you'll want to switch from IDE to AHCI. Technically you could do an upgrade from XP in IDE mode, then you'd have to use Disk Cleanup to remove the held-over XP Windows folder named "Windows.Old" during the upgrade, then do a registry change so as to move Windows 7 from IDE to AHCI. You can do a clean install and use the upgrade key (so long as you install over an activated copy of Windows, that is), so that would be the simpler option.
 
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ThomasMagnus

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So like the way I said to do it?

Thanks, really appreciate the help!
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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You will end up with a "windows.old" folder left over that you can safely delete (remains of Windows XP copied over).

I noticed when I upgraded Windows 8 to 8.1 that I could delete my "old" folder from the regular disk CLEANUP.

If you don't find it there then you can Google for how to find it.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Not if you format the disk during the upgrade (boot the Windows 7 upgrade disk and do a format over the activated XP)

 
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ThomasMagnus

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One concern I have is that I have done this before and had trouble activating windows. When I tried to activate windows it failed, but I called in and the automated message asked "how many computers do you have this copy of windows installed on?" I answered 1 (which is true) and then it gave me a code and it activated.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Telephone activation is a hassle but it should work again. The answer you should give to that q is actually "zero" since it's really asking how many computers already are activated (not counting previous activations or the pc you're activating right now), btw.
 
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ThomasMagnus

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So in the installation interface on windows 7 I would go: highlight SSD--> advanced--> format. Instead of just selecting the SSD (wouldn't that format it anyways?)
 
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ThomasMagnus

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Lol thanks for telling me that,I never knew.
 
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popatim

popatim

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I've never tried but you can probably switch the bios to ahci mode after the XP install and before the 7 so you wont have to mess around changing the driver. Win7 has built in ahci drivers and so should not have a problem seeing the previous XP installation.
 
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SchizTech

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Sure. The only thing that "cares" about that setting is Windows itself. Since modern versions of Windows are designed for AHCI systems they'll see all the HDDs you add just fine. I personally have a system SSD and three data drives.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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As long as AHCI is set in the BIOS prior to initiating the Windows 7 Upgrade you are fine.

You will be doing a CLEAN install which will be essentially the same as installing a Full version of Windows 7 from scratch. Any XP code is basically ignored. When it reboots the first time during the UPGRADE it notes the BIOS settings such as AHCI and configures Windows 7 accordingly.

When I did a CLEAN UPGRADE from Vista to Windows 8 on my dad's laptop we ended up with some code from Vista in a "windows.old" folder which we then deleted. I'm uncertain if you'd get that or not.
 
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ThomasMagnus

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I see. I was under the noobish impression that mechanical drives only worked on IDE and would blue screen of death you if switched.


Thanks for all the help, you guys are awesome! :)
 
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