Bought new SSD and HDD. Now What?

Install only the SSD and install the Win 7 on it. Then connect the other HDD to avoid conflicts.

not quite everything, a couple of the games you play most and software you use often can stay on the ssd. 250gb is plenty for os and extra.

The approach I use is this:

1. Create a 128 GB partition on HD which you connect to the 2nd lowest numbered Intel SATA port.
2. Install Windows on the partition.
3. Install all drivers from CDs
4. Run Windows Update 26 or whatever times it seems to need to "get done"
5. Check for and install latest drivers.
6. Install "important stuff" on remaining HD Partitions
7. Label your partitions; suggestions:

C:\ [HD Boot]
D:\ [Games]
E:\ Programs]
F:\ [Data

Not saying you need 4, it's handy ..... but no reason you just can't have 1. The reason for labeling the volumes will become evident later.

8. "Hard Wire" you partition letters. Windows sets up the order of drive letters based upon a set of rules. When you add another drive, it changes the designations. Let's say you had C, D, E, F. When you add the SSD to the lowest numbers, the SSD will become the new C:\ ... So C:\ on the HD will be seen as D:\ and so on. If you boot from the HD, the the 128 GB partition will remain C:\, the SSD will be D:\ and then D:\ will become E:\

So to "hard wire" the partitions on the HD, just do this in disk management. Click on a partition (say D) and hit "Action" / All tasks / Change Drive Letter and change it to X ... now repeat and change it back to D. If that's the only one you created you're done.... if not rinse and repeat. I always make my Optical Z:\ so as to make sure it's way outta the way

After SSD arrives ....

1. Put an image of the 128 GB partition on SSD
2. or .... If ya don't have imaging software, Install Windows on the partition after disconnected data cable on HD
3. Install all drivers from CDs
4. Run Windows Update 26 or whatever times it seems to need to "get done"
5. Check for and install latest drivers.
6. Open disk management and do the drive letter labeling thing. Ubder the SSD boot, I label the HD boot 128 GB partition X:\
7. Reinstall "important stuff" what you previously installed right over themselves in same partitions / folders so as to set up registry


It sounds complicated but once you get started the procedure becomes rather obvious.....Why do it you might ask ?

1. If your SSD bites the dust....your machine is still useable. No waiting 3-4 weeks for a warranty replacement to be processed.
2. If you keep imaging your SSD to the HD partition, you always have the image available in case the OS gets fudged or infected.

Of all the builds we have done, I would say 35 - 40% to date have had their SSDs die. All were tier 1 units. Those that didn't have a backup OS on HD were very sorry....some business users couldn't afford to wait on warranty exchange .

As stated, do a clean install of windows, programs, games onto the ssd with the old hard drive unplugged.
Once you have windows installed and good you can then plug the hard drive back in and copy over files.

While you will have to reinstall all of your games/programs, many have ways of saving settings/profiles so anything you want to save, google how to back it up or export it before switching to the SSD.

Save all your old files, pictures, etc on a flashdrive or external drive. Next shut PC off and remove the old HDD. Install the new SSD. Insert your Windows 7 or 8 DVD and install onto the new SSD. That's it.

Follow Nuwan Fernando advice. This happen to me before..