How am I going to put an extra hard drive on my system if it has an OS on it?

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Zuhayr378

Zuhayr378

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May 15, 2014
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Before building my pc this summer I want to make sure of this because the thing is that I want to bring all the stuff from my old computer to my new one. The only problem here is that I have a hard drive from my ancient computer with all my files and programs (ones that I have bought such as Microsoft Office 2010 and adobe Photoshop) but it has a windows 7 OS on it. Will there be any problems that could interfere with it having an OS when I install it onto my new computer?

Thanks!

BTW I am putting windows 8.1 on an ssd onto my new computer. I want to add this HDD for other programs and files.
 
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caqde

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May 31, 2007
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If you install the OS on the SSD without the other drive installed, when you go to install the drive make sure that the computer still boots to the windows 8.1 drive in the bios. This will insure that the Windows 8.1's boot loader is unaware of the Windows 7 OS and that your system will always boot to Windows 8.1.

Another possible solution if your Windows 7 system is installed on a MBR/Bios based partition make sure to install Windows 8.1 using UEFI. Windows will then make a GPT partition on your SSD and will the bootloader will ignore your old OS's on MBR partitions.
 
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spooky2th

spooky2th

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May 18, 2010
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I doubt that the new MB will try to boot off an older hdd especially after an OS has been installed on a ssd first. I would install the ssd in the first sata port (usually sata0 or sata1.) Then when ready install the hdd into the next available sata port. Have done this many times with ssd's and hdd's both and it has always worked. You will have access to all the data on the hdd but the programs will not run. They will need to be installed on the boot ssd.

EDIT:
Set the BIOS up first before installing win8 on the ssd. make sure that BIOS is in AHCI mode, etc.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Good comments ^^^
Another option is to use windows easy transfer to export all your files and settings to another drive.
After the ssd clean install, you can import back all or part of those files.
Regardless, since the new registry has no knowledge of your apps, they will need to be reinstalled.

If your old chipset and the new are similar enough, there is a possibility that your windows 7 will actually boot on your new motherboard. Z87 to Z97 will work. Some old intel to intel has worked for me. AMD to intel has never worked. If you are so lucky, you can then install the new drivers from the new motherboard driver cd.
That would preserve your apps from which you might no longer have the install materials.

Then just clone your hard drive to the ssd and you are done.

Researching this, I came across this link which offers a way to do such a repair. I have not had to use it, so I can't say if it works or not.

http://www.dowdandassociates.com/blog/content/howto-repair-windows-7-install-after-replacing-motherboard/
 
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Natos

Natos

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Mar 2, 2014
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On your old computer, or any computer that can accept your old hard drive, you should:
Back Up ALL of your files. (NOT THE OS, THAT WILL SCREW EVERYTHING UP) Use software called Macrium Reflect, from Paramount UK. You don't need the payed software for a backup, you can use their free software. Get it from here, (Click to download) and install it on the old computer. Run it, and back up your files to an external hard drive. MAKE SURE TO USE THE HELP FILE AS A GUIDE.

When you are done, install windows on your new computer. Install Macrium Reflect, plug in your external hard drive, and restore the backup. At this point, you can uninstall Macrium Reflect.
 
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