Installing SSD to new pc. Keeping old hdd. How to , which and etc.

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Okay guys , so hello , hey hey, here is my situation:
I am upgrading my pc , most of it. But from old one stays 8gb ram ddr3 and hdd Samsung HD103SJ it's 1Tb and i have some important things there and yeah , i need them. So but , my plan is to buy ssd only for my OS - of course i want windows 7. So here are my question:
1. Is 32Gb SSD enough only for OS? Or i need 60-64Gb
2. How can i delete windows from old hdd, but keep and use files while using os from my ssd?
3. Will i be able to play games, download things and save them and etc. to my old hhd , while using my new fresh windows 7 from my ssd?

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

1. 32GB is too small. Period. 64GB is right on the edge of too small. I always recommend a 120GB or larger.

2. 2 options. Clone from the old drive to the new, or fresh install on the new SSD
We can go into more detail on these if you want

3. Yes. See these:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Okay , so first about third question , so for example just like i am installing some game , i'll just have to put path to it like G:/Games/ and etc.. it will appear in my computer as another hard drive? Like now i have my single hhd made into C and D.
So it's like that?
And now about second question , so let's say i've bought my new ssd , installed fresh windows 7 on it, and then connected back my old hdd , so what more i have to do , so i would be able to use it together with my ssd?

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

3. You can install games and applications on whatever drive you wish. Steam and Origin has built in functionality for other locations.
For applications, almost all current ones give the ability to install to whatever location you want. But for the SSD, you actually do want most/all applications on the SSD. If you have an SSD, why not actually use it.

2. Ideally, you copy anything off of it you wish to keep, and wipe all the partitions on that drive. Then use it as needed.
Install the OS on the SSD with only the SSD connected.

Boogieman_WD · Apr 21, 2015

Hey there, Adam.
It's nice that you've chosen to make a fresh install of Windows on your SSD. About the Windows installation -> disconnect the old HDD, connect the SSD -> go to your BIOS/UEFI and set the SATA mode of the SSD to AHCI -> then go ahead and install Windows as you would normally do.
1. A 32GB SSD just isn't enough. 64GB would be better, but I'd recommend that you go for a 120GB one if your budget allows it, so that you don't have to worry about the OS updates, System Restore points etc. taking up all you storage space.
2. This answer follows the one with the installation of Windows. If you have any external drives where you can backup your personal data it would be best if you do this before you start with the whole SSD installation process. In this case after you've installed Windows, reconnect the HDD -> wipe it -> repartition and reformat it -> return the backed up data.
If your OS is on a different partition from your data on the HDD, then you could just reformat the OS partition.
3. You can do all those things no problem. Take a look at this article with info on proper SSD management: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2110095/the-ultimate-guide-to-proper-ssd-management.html. It has a lot of useful tips, including instructions on how to move the Windows User Folders to your storage drive.

edit: seems like I was a bit late with my answer.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions.
Boogieman_WD

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Okay , about third one i got it. Everything like browser and etc, should go and ssd. Games, movies, music and etc should go to hdd. If i got it right.
Now about second one, yes i know , install windows with only ssd. After that , i can just connect hdd, and it will appear in my computer , or i need to to something else?

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

For your 'upgrade', what parts are you changing? Motherboard and CPU? If so, that leans even further into 'fresh install' territory, rather than migrate from old to new.

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

3. Right. OS and all/most applications on the SSD. The things that really take up space (games/music/etc) on the HDD

2. Yes, it should just appear as another drive letter.

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

Boogieman_WD :

Actually, moving your /Users/ folder is not recommended, via Microsoft.
http://www.zdnet.com/dont-move-your-windows-user-profiles-folder-to-another-drive-7000022142/

Boogieman_WD · Apr 21, 2015

USAFRet :

It seems like you're right, but it had worked countless times with other users without a hitch. And, yes, sometimes it doesn't work that well.
It's always best to change the default saving paths of all the programs to the storage drive and just use other folders for media files (that's exactly what I do). But that sometimes depends on the users personal preference.

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Okay i just finished reading article in link which posted boogieman , and one by you USAFRet .
I am changing motherboard, cpu , gpu. Only thing i want to keep from my old hdd is music/photos/and some documents.. Later formating would be good, it would be fresh and clean. And you said i need 120gb ssd so let's say , how about this one right here KINGSTON yeah it's in my countries language , but all specs are in english , this one would be enough and safe?

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

Actually, that particular SSD is highly not recommended.
Kingston did a bit of a bait and switch. Initially, they were OK. Not long after release they changed the technology and they are now much worse.
Other Kingstons are fine (I have one).

But see what other ones are available in your market.

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Maybe this one - PATRIOT or this one ADATA also there is this CORSAIR

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

I don't have any direct knowledge of those two, but they should be fine.
How much is a 250GB drive in your market? That is becoming the sweet spot for size vs price.

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

250Gb price is 2x higher around 120eu, i am building here system on budget lol , but these guys where i am buying parts from , highly recommended to get ssd for os. So i was thinking about 64Gb , but 120Gb is possible i guess..

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

OK then yes. Get the 120GB.

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

And with all this ne more question , what is better windows 7 32bit or 64bit , now i had 64bit it was good, but now i need to get something again

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

As you have 8GB RAM, no question. 64bit.

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Okay , thank you for you help very much! So one more time if i got it all right!
1. Buy ssd
2. Connect ssd, disconnect old hdd
3. Boot from dvd/flash drive or what i get and install new windows 7 64bit into new ssd
4. After important files backed up disconnect ssd, connet old hdd and format it? Or i can leave ssd connected and just load windows find hdd in my computer and format it there?
5. Enjoy?

USAFRet · Apr 21, 2015

3a. Verify your boot order.
3b. Windows Updates...

4. Power down, and just connect the old HDD. You can wipe it from Disk Management.
Just 'formatting' it won't get rid of the original boot partition. You have to do that from Disk Management.

Boogieman_WD · Apr 21, 2015

adam77 :

1. Backup everything important you want to keep
2. Buy SSD
3. Connect SSD, disconnect HDD
4. Set SATA mode in BIOS/UEFI to AHCI for the SSD
5. Install Windows
6. Reconnect HDD with the SSD connected.
7. Go to Disk Management and repartition and reformat your storage drive
8. Return the backed up data to the HDD
9. Enjoy

adam77 · Apr 21, 2015

Okay , thank you guys very much for your help!

Tarorichi · May 5, 2016

Hi guys, sorry interupting because i guess i can ask some question similar with this topic so ya '-'
In the future i also want to buy some ssd that have 250GB capacity, im using Windows 10 now. I search a lot of topic about migration OS in google and this is the one from thousand topic.
And this is my question :
- Is the OS in the old hdd is fully deleted, after i migration data using software migration ?
- When i succesfully migration os from hdd to ssd, did i need to remove the hhd from my PC ? and plugged it again ?
(Because i need the old hdd, to save my data)
Sorry maybe my question is aiready been asked, but i just need to clarify this, Thanks in Advance

USAFRet · May 5, 2016

Tarorichi :

You should start a new tread for this, but...
1. The OS on the old drive is NOT automatically deleted. You have to do that yourself, after you verify it works on the new drive
2. After the migration is complete, power off. Disconnect the old drive. Power up, check the boot order, and verify it actually boots properly from the new drive.
Maybe restart a couple of times.
Once satisfied that it works on the new drive...now you reconnect the old drive.

Installing SSD to new pc. Keeping old hdd. How to , which and etc.

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