Installing Windows 7 for the first time on a SSD question

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viperblood77

viperblood77

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Mar 2, 2015
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When am installing Windows 7 should i leave the HDD unplugged? And then plug it back in once Windows is installed? Or does the HDD have to be plugged in to create files?
 
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4745454b

4745454b

Titan
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Apr 29, 2006
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It doesn't really make a difference. More so if it's a brand new system and the HDD is blank as well. The "biggest" difference is that if the HDD is plugged in while you install, Windows will put a small 100MB partition on the HDD with the recovery stuff on it. Some people don't like that, I don't mind it because if the SSD has issue later you'll have access to it. If the SSD is the only drive on the computer then windows will put the 100MB partition on it, but if the SSD totally dies then you don't have access to the recovery stuff. Otherwise it makes no difference at all if the HDD is plugged in or not. (assuming you can load windows correctly.)
 
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viperblood77

viperblood77

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Oh ok, so it will make like a backup folder for the stuff on the SSD?

 
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4745454b

4745454b

Titan
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Apr 29, 2006
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Not a folder, a partition/disk. Windows should create it automatically. If there is only one disk, it has no choice but to create it on the same drive as the OS. This is bad because as I mentioned above if something horrible happens to your windows install, the utilities windows puts on this 100MB drive won't be available. I also said as long as you install windows correctly you won't have to worry about formatting the wrong disk/drive which is what I think i7 is worried about. Measure twice, cut once.
 
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A

ArtPog

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The advice you received from i7Baby is absolutely correct. This is NOT a debatable issue. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to be gained by having your HDD (which will be serving as a secondary drive following the installation of the OS) installed during your fresh-install of the OS onto your SSD.

Admittedly there is little likelihood that any problems will arise even if the HDD is installed during the install of the OS but !@*# happens as we all know when working with PCs. The prudent course of action is to disconnect the HDD from the system and then install the OS.

The SSD should be connected to your motherboard's first SATA connector which will be designated either SATA0 or SATA1. The HDD should be connected to a SATA connector designated either SATA1 or SATA2.

I assume you're going to use the HDD as a secondary storage/backup device. Avoid making any major changes, e.g., formatting, until you ensure the installed OS on the SSD is bootable and functions without any problems. Then you can do whatever you want with your HDD.
 
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