Fresh install or clone?

Nefarious

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May 18, 2011
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I have a HDD and want to install a SSD. My intent is to have the SSD and HDD combo, with the HDD used for file storage.

If I have the CD's for windows, is it better to do a fresh install of everything?

Or can I use the clone software that is coming with my samsung 850 evo and have it run just as well?

Thanks!
 
Solution
Nefarious:
1. You can, of course, fresh-install the Windows OS onto your new Samsung SSD. It is true that many users prefer that approach rather than cloning the contents of their existing drive to a new drive. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that approach you understand, of course, that should you do so you will need to install all or virtually all of your programs/applications and other data to the new drive from the old one. This is not always as simple as it might sound. It can be an onerous process for a variety of reasons, not the least because you may not have the installation media to install those programs. I'm sure you understand that this is not a process whereby you can simply copy & paste the program data from...
Hey there, Nefarious!

Unlike the others I'd recommend you the fresh install instead, since you have the Windows installation media. The clean install will basically ensure that no junk, redundant and temp files get cloned to the drive. Just make sure you unplug the HDD, while installing Windows on the SSD, otherwise you might encounter an OS confusion that might result in boot issues later on. Another important thing to do before beginning is backing up the data from the HDD somewhere else. Once the installation is completed plug back the HDD, re-format it through Disk Management and restore the backup onto it.
This way you'd have a fresh, clean, fast new system with an OS SSD as boot and a data HDD for secondary storage.

Good luck! Hope this was helpful! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
I agree with Supersoph_wd to a point. I mentioned to clone if you were happy with the way you machine is running. I work for myself as a computer technician and my computer does not have any junk, redundant or temp files. I run ccleaner on boot and it stays pretty happy. If you do install fresh from cd, do not install the other drive until the installation is complete. Also make sure sata oeration in bios is set to ahci in the bios which it probably is already. Good luck!
 
Nefarious:
1. You can, of course, fresh-install the Windows OS onto your new Samsung SSD. It is true that many users prefer that approach rather than cloning the contents of their existing drive to a new drive. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that approach you understand, of course, that should you do so you will need to install all or virtually all of your programs/applications and other data to the new drive from the old one. This is not always as simple as it might sound. It can be an onerous process for a variety of reasons, not the least because you may not have the installation media to install those programs. I'm sure you understand that this is not a process whereby you can simply copy & paste the program data from the old to the new drive.
In addition, you will need to install all the Windows updates - possibly a few hundred of them - to your new OS.

Now you did not indicate the TOTAL amount of data on your present HDD and you did not indicate the disk-capacity size of your intended SSD. If the total data contents of your HDD EXCEED the size of your SSD then read no further. You would be best advised to fresh-install the OS on your SSD and then reinstall your programs + other data on your HDD.

But if the total data contents on the HDD are less than the size of the SSD, then consider the following...
Are you satisfied with the operation of your system in that your current boot drive in your present system currently boots & functions without any problems whatsoever?
And assuming that your entire current system as it stands now can be transferred over to your new Samsung SSD, would that be satisfactory to you?

The Samsung Data Migration program that will be bundled with your new SSD is a very nice program - quite reliable in our experience and simple to use. You should encounter no problem using it.

So if you want to try the disk-cloning route do the following...

(Before you begin ensure that the only drives that are connected in the system are the source & destination drives, i.e., your HDD & SSD. Uninstall any other storage devices such as a flash drive, any other USB external HDD, etc.)

1. With both your HDD & SSD connected boot the system. The system will, of course, boot to the HDD's OS.

2. Install the Samsung Data Migration program on the HDD.

3. Access the program and click Start.

4. The Source Disk (your HDD) and the Target Disk (your SSD) will be identified.

5. Click Start.

6. Click Yes when the confirmation message appears.

7. The disk-cloning process will begin. It can be a lengthy process depending upon the amount of data that's being cloned.

8. When the cloning process has successfully completed a message will appear to that effect.

9. Click Quit, then Shut Down.

10. After the system has been shut down disconnect the HDD from the system and boot to the SSD. Assuming all is well ensure that your new SSD boot drive is connected to the first SATA connector on the motherboard which will be designated either SATA 0 or SATA 1. The HDD can now be connected to any following SATA connector.

11. Presumably you're going to utilize the HDD as a storage/backup disk and I'm assuming you probably want to install the drive internally in your system (assuming you're working with a desktop PC). You can, of course, install that disk as a USB device in a USB external HDD enclosure. Many users prefer that arrangement if the disk is to serve primarily or exclusively as a backup device. It provides a bit more security than connecting the disk internally.

So give the preceding process a try if you desire to have a precise copy of your old HDD on your new SSD.

Work with the SSD for a while to determine it's completely functional before making any significant changes in your HDD's data. Should any problems arise you would still have the HDD with all its data intact and you would still have the option fresh-installing the OS onto the SSD should it come to that.
 
Solution

Nefarious

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Thank you! I was happy with my current system, so I went with a clone to bring it up to date. All of your assumptions were correct, and I'm in the process of cloning now.

After I know my SSD installation is reliable, do I reformat my HDD? If so, what's the best way to do this? Thanks
 
It's up to you what you want to do with your HDD. It's certainly not necessary to reformat the HDD unless you want to start with a "clean slate" insofar as the HDD is concerned.

The main thing to remember, as I previously indicated, is NOT to modify in any way the data on your HDD until you're certain that the cloned SSD boot drive is functioning perfectly without any problems. So work with it for a few days to ensure this. Good luck with your system.