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Configuring SSD and HDD - Windows 7 Won't Recognize Both

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  • SSD
  • Hard Drives
  • Windows 7
Last response: in Storage
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September 21, 2014 11:41:33 PM

Hi. I have a 128GB Samsung 830 Series SSD and a 1TB WD Black in my build, at the moment. The SSD is drive C, and has my Windows 7 Pro on it -- along with my antivirus, word processing software, etc.

I am using the HDD for storage, and I have 100GB partitioned off to hold a system image and file back-up. I am having an issue in that Windows 7 is not recognizing the HDD for important purposes.

I have the HDD labeled drive (E). It shows up in the Computer pane, and I can click on it, access files, store files on it -- it's functioning fine. But only when I click on it in this way. When I type in the Start menu's search bar for files, no files from drive (E) show up. It's only searching drive C, not the HDD.

Most importantly, my system restore function has not been working since I have been running the two drives. When I try to do a system restore I get an error message about not being able to locate the restore point. My guess is that Windows is putting the restore point on the HDD. But as stated, Windows is not recognizing the hard drive.

Maybe there is something I should do in Disk Manager to link the HDD to the system, but I don't know what. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

More about : configuring ssd hdd windows recognize

a b $ Windows 7
September 21, 2014 11:46:19 PM

Duplicate your C:\ file system - My Documents, etc etc in E:\

Open them up in Windows Explorer - c:\ and R click and then Properties, change location to the e:\ version
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September 26, 2014 7:38:04 PM

Hi thanks for responding. I apologize, being unable to view and reply to this thread sooner. Anyway, I would appreciate a bit of clarification on changing the save location.

Start Icon\R click\Windows Explorer\ L click

LEFT PANE:

Libraries -
--Documents
--Pictures
--Music
--Videos

--Mouse over each\R click\Properties

At this point I have two choices:

My Documents (C:\Users\Personal)
Public Documents (C:\Users\Public)

So do I set each of the Library folders to Public? That is the only change I can make. I do not see a way to change a path to E:\

Would you mind to elaborate a bit more as to what I am to do to change the location to E:\ Version

Thanks
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a b $ Windows 7
September 26, 2014 8:18:36 PM

Before hand - Duplicate your C:\ file system - My Documents, etc etc in E:\
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September 27, 2014 8:28:38 PM

Hi. I had already done that initial step of copying and pasting the folders from C:\ to E:\ In a nutshell, what I was saying is that changing the save location to E:\ was not an option in Windows Explorer. Only the two locations mentioned above:

My Documents (C:\Users\Personal)
Public Documents (C:\Users\Public)

But I noticed the -- Include a Folder -- tab in the properties window and have made a save location for each respective folder on E:\ Now, once I change the save location for each, I assume all documents, pictures, music and video will automatically be saved there, and no longer on drive C:\
That's great, and what I wanted.

But will this solve the issue of my system restore failing?

Thanks
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September 30, 2014 3:08:59 AM

Lol. Back again. That link is wonderful. I know exactly what to do now to redirect the files. Now I just have to undo what I did earlier in Windows Explorer, and do it the way described in that link. Only thing I want to be sure of is: when you say "just the file structure", I should simply have empty My Documents, My Music, etc. ready in drive E:? And does this go for every folder in the personal user window, such as Downloads, Contacts, etc? Or only the four respective to Library?

Thanks.
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a b $ Windows 7
September 30, 2014 9:28:54 PM

"have empty My Documents, My Music, etc. ready in drive E:? And does this go for every folder in the personal user window, such as Downloads, Contacts, etc? "

Yes - every Folder - AppData, Desktop, Downloads, .........., My Documents, My Music, ..............., Saved Games, Searches, Videos.
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October 1, 2014 8:02:23 PM

I have drive E:\ completely bare. I backed up any media on it, and deleted the files I copied earlier. I am not seeing a simple way to duplicate the files -- but not the contents -- to drive E:\ I researched it on Microsoft's site and came up with answers ranging from using xcopy, to using freeware and even paid software to do this.

Xcopy flashes a DOS window on my screen that disappears in a split second, so I don't seem to be able to try that. And I refuse to install unnecessary software to do something that must have an existing method. Please, if possible, explain how files, but not their contents, are copied or duplicated.

Thanks.
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a b $ Windows 7
October 2, 2014 12:55:54 AM

Copy everything in Users to E:.

Join the E: folders to the C: folders (per that article).

Delete the content of the folders on C:
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October 2, 2014 1:39:07 PM

Okay, that is the straightforward method I was hoping for. I have forgotten to mention that I have a password user account on this PC. I use my password protected administrator account for my purposes. But have a user account titled "Family", that of course, is for the rest of my family to use. Do I need to go into the [Family] user account and repeat this process?
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a b $ Windows 7
October 2, 2014 3:44:57 PM

Yes. Do it for Family too.
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