New SSD + Windows 8.1

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ksred

ksred

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Oct 30, 2013
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Hey everyone,

This question kind of covers more than one category so sorry if it's in the wrong section. I currently have an asus p6x58d-e, i7 980 @ 3.33ghz OCed to 4Ghz, GTX 780 3GB and 12GB RAM. I am using an HDD for Windows 7, all my games and programes and I'm using a second HDD to store random files and video game recordings.

For either Xmas or some time after, I am getting a Samsung 120GB SSD and Windows 8.1 (no hate, we all have opinions :D ) Anyway, I've never had to deal with changing my OS or any storage drives (especially an ssd) since getting my PC so I honestly have no idea on the best way to do this. I hear many things about SSDs working better with a certain 'mode' activating in the bios etc that I am clueless about.

I think I'm going to want to install windows 8.1 on my pc and have a fresh start and redownload everything again, so what do I do with my current HDDs? Do I format both of them to remove everything then just put in the SSD and the W8 disc? What about drivers for everything - surely this can cause a lot of problems?

TL;DR - I'm a total noob who needs help installing a new SSD with W8.1

Thank you for taking your time to read and hopefully answer :)
 
Solution
game junky
TRIM should be enabled, you will want to confirm that AHCI is enabled in BIOS as well before you install 8.1 with just the SSD connected. You will probably want to nuke those old drives because they have master boot record files from the previous OS installs. The reason you want to have only the SSD connected during your OS installs is that it writes MBR files to any drive installed at the time and if you disconnect the HDD or it fails, the computer will not boot.
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game junky

game junky

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Feb 2, 2012
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The best way to go to a new OS is a clean install - here's what I would do in your shoes:

• Disconnect your current hard drive from the board
• Install Win 8.1 to your SSD
• Install all drivers, programs, etc and confirm everything is running as expected (very important because you’re burning the bridge behind you)
• Disconnect your SSD and reconnect your current HDD
• Backup the usable data (documents, media, etc.) to an external source (flash drive, external HDD, cloud storage platform, whatevs)
• Confirm your backups work (important, you’re burning the bridge behind you)
• Format your current HDD (I am a fan of using Kill Disk but any Linux bootable drive utility like Gparted would work too)
• Connect both your SSD and HDD (make sure you have your SSD connected with your SATA0 port or make adjustments within BIOS to have whatever port you’re using have a higher priority) and boot into Win8.1
• Launch Disk Manager and create a partition (or a couple of different partitions if you’re feeling fancy) to suit your needs
• Enjoy
 
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ksred

ksred

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Oct 30, 2013
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10,540
Unplug HHD and replace with SSD.
Boot PC with W8 disc in and install.
Restart and enter Bios.
Make the SSD 1st boot device, and enable the TRIM thing.
Add old HDD back into empty slot to use as D drive.

Would this work for starting fresh? Anything important missing?
 
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game junky

game junky

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Feb 2, 2012
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TRIM should be enabled, you will want to confirm that AHCI is enabled in BIOS as well before you install 8.1 with just the SSD connected. You will probably want to nuke those old drives because they have master boot record files from the previous OS installs. The reason you want to have only the SSD connected during your OS installs is that it writes MBR files to any drive installed at the time and if you disconnect the HDD or it fails, the computer will not boot.
 
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