Bought new C Drive! How to replace it while retaining the master boot record in Windows 7?

DannyITR

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Sep 3, 2009
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I'm going to upgrade my C drive from my current Samsung 240GB SSD to an Intel 480GB SSD. I'm looking to avoid this problem:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1644912/change-master-slave-bios-removed-drive-boot-anymore-drive.html

The last time I simply removed the drive and thought I could boot off the CD and install windows into my new drive but the old drive contained the master boot record. It was a huge mess.

What steps do I need to take in order to properly uninstall my old drive and reinstall my copy of Windows 7 onto the new SSD?
 

USAFRet

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Moderator
2 methods. Clean install, and a clone/migration.

1. Clean install
Remove the old drive
connect the new drive
Install

2. Migration
With any of the existing clone/migration tools, clone the whole drive. This will include the System Reserved partition (boot info)
 

hysteria357

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Oct 24, 2013
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You would probably have to clone the old SSD to the new SSD. My Samsung SSD came with cloning software, I just hooked the new SSD to my computer, ran the cloning software, and then put the new SSD in the place of the old HDD and it just boots right up. I would check to see if your intel SSD came with some sort of cloning or data transfer software.
 

DannyITR

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Sep 3, 2009
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hmmm, I was looking forward to a fresh install. I'm worried about simply unplugging my old drive because I don't think I'll be able to boot up the comp. I'll try it and see what happens.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


If you're going to do a fresh install, no problem.

Assuming you have your install media:
Connect only the desired drive
Boot from your install media
Follow the directions and Install