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Installing SSD with Preexisting HDD

Tags:
  • SSD
  • Desktops
  • Storage
  • Hard Drives
  • Windows 7
Last response: in Storage
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October 2, 2014 4:10:07 PM

Hello,

I currently have a 1 TB HDD in my desktop with Windows 7 and everything else on it. I recently bought a Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB SSD to upgrade my system. My goal is to reinstall Windows 7, games, and antivirus onto the SSD and use HDD for storage only. I have read up on how to do this but I still have a few questions. In order to install, I will (with PC off) unplug HDD from motherboard and plug in SSD. I will then boot up computer via CD-ROM in order to reinstall Windows 7 onto SSD. Once this is finished, I will then reconnect the HDD and change boot order in BIOS. Here are my questions. Is there anything in BIOS I need to change before installing SSD? Once I reinstall everything else onto SSD, would be easier to reformat HDD in order to remove Windows from this drive? I use this computer mostly for gaming, so I will not be losing many files. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

More about : installing ssd preexisting hdd

a b G Storage
a b $ Windows 7
October 2, 2014 5:18:31 PM

The main thing to change or verify is set correctly is the SATA mode. Just be sure it is set to AHCI and not IDE.
Here is more reading material if you need it. It will help keep your SSD from writing itself to an early death. And it will make sure you get the best performance from it as well. http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-inst...

If you are already knowledgeable about the info in that article, here are some of the same pointers in a shorter format: http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-...
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October 10, 2014 6:53:42 PM

clutchc said:
The main thing to change or verify is set correctly is the SATA mode. Just be sure it is set to AHCI and not IDE.
Here is more reading material if you need it. It will help keep your SSD from writing itself to an early death. And it will make sure you get the best performance from it as well. http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-inst...

If you are already knowledgeable about the info in that article, here are some of the same pointers in a shorter format: http://www.computing.net/howtos/show/solid-state-drive-...


Thank you very much for the information. It ws very helpful. I have one last question for you. After installation of SSD, can I access other minor programs from the HDD, such as Spotify, Steam, etc. or would it be better to uninstall and then reinstall following SSD installation. Again, I appreciate your advice.
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a b G Storage
a b $ Windows 7
October 10, 2014 7:19:16 PM

Most apps will have to be re-installed so the OS has the necessary parameters coded in its registry. But Steam games can be "moved" to a different drive in tact; no need for re-downloading. You could modify this procedure to use it for keeping the games on your HDD and just forcing Steam to re-register them as it updates itself: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=741...
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