How to install a new SSD (w/ Windows 7 Pro already installed on it) in an existing computer

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dfilkins

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Sep 1, 2014
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Hello, I am a fireman trying to upgrade our firehouse computer. I upgraded the RAM to the maximum that the motherboard will use (2GB) and used the fastest RAM the motherboard will allow (DDR2 PC800). The motherboard is an old nForce MCP61 with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+. The system hard disk is a Western Digital 160GB with Windows Vista.

I recently bought a Samsung 830 SSD with Windows 7 Pro installed on it, with the intention of making this the new main system/boot drive. However I found out that simply plugging it into the motherboard wasn't going to work. Is there anyway I can use this SSD, and the Windows 7 Pro that is installed on it already, as the main system/boot drive without having to reinstall any operating system?
 
Solution
Wolfshadw
The OS installed on the SSD is looking at registry settings and drivers pertaining to the hardware installed when the OS was installed. With that SSD now installed into a new system, it's still looking at that registry and is still looking for the old hardware (which it won't be able to find). Your only option, as already mentioned, is to reinstall the OS.

-Wolf sends
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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I recently bought a Samsung 830 SSD with Windows 7 Pro installed on it
Click to expand...

You will need to reinstall the OS. Even if it had actually worked with the new PC, you should always reinstall upon receiving a PC or drive with an existing OS.

Did the seller give you the license key (as they are required to do)?
 
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das_stig

das_stig

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Licence will still be valid, so you can do a fresh install of Vista and it may ask to validate over the phone, very easy to do.

You can also use cloning software to imsage the HDD to the SSD, clonezilla is a good free one, sometimes SSD manufacturers supply the software on a download.
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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The OS installed on the SSD is looking at registry settings and drivers pertaining to the hardware installed when the OS was installed. With that SSD now installed into a new system, it's still looking at that registry and is still looking for the old hardware (which it won't be able to find). Your only option, as already mentioned, is to reinstall the OS.

-Wolf sends
 
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Proofy

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Aug 19, 2014
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and what did I wrote just above ? haha
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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I just put in a little more detail.

-Wolf sends
 
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