Need help installing SSD

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shamaolee

Commendable
Feb 20, 2016
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My computer has a 1tb wd drive now. Just got a brand new samsung 850 evo ssd. I would like to install my os into the ssd (clean install, no need to migrate/image the 1tb drive). Thing is, the manual that came with it says i need to first connect the ssd to my pc via usb but I dont have that cable. Also, I read online that AHCI should be enabled, but if it is enabled before the ssd is installed then windows will not be able to boot.

In what sequence should I install? Install ssd, turn off, turn on and enable ahci, turn off, remove 1tb wd drive, insert windows disc, boot from disc and install os onto ssd, turn off, reconnect wd drive, turn on. Something like that? Im confused :??: appreciate any advice thanks
 
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SuperSoph_WD


Hey there again, shamaolee!

You should be able to enable AHCI from SATA mode in the BIOS settings.
Yes, you'd need to have the SSD attached and connected to the SATA and power cables. There's nothing different than a mechanical hard drive there. Maybe this tutorial from the community will shed some light on how to physically install the SSD.

Hope it helps. :)
SuperSoph_WD
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
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Welcome to the TH community, shamaolee!

It's highly recommended to perform a fresh install of the OS on the SSD. In order to avoid any OS confusion, you'd need to have the HDD unplugged at the time of the installation. You can follow this Windows Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs and HDDs. The step-by-step is pretty detailed and, hopefully, you won't face any issues with the clean install of your new primary drive.

However, make sure you have backed up all important data from your current WD drive somewhere else. Once you have the SSD up and running as your booting drive, you'd need to reformat the HDD that contains the OS when installing it as a secondary HDD.

Hope this helps. Keep me posted if you have more questions! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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Suztera

Polypheme
Mar 18, 2014
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Firstly, you need to have a window installation media either on a DVD or a USB drive. This is your window installation setup. Once you have this, you can simply just install windows on your SSD.
Yes, it is ideal to set AHCI in your bios before installing windows.
You only need the sata to usb adapter/cable if you are migrating/cloning.
 
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shamaolee

Commendable
Feb 20, 2016
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Hi! I am looking at the windows 7 version of the guide. Under the checklist at number 3, it says to enable AHCI. That means I need to install the ssd before that right? Is it the simple case of connecting the sata and power cables? So sorry for these trivial questions, I am new to this whole SSD thing :(
 
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
6,758
3
45,960


Hey there again, shamaolee!

You should be able to enable AHCI from SATA mode in the BIOS settings.
Yes, you'd need to have the SSD attached and connected to the SATA and power cables. There's nothing different than a mechanical hard drive there. Maybe this tutorial from the community will shed some light on how to physically install the SSD.

Hope it helps. :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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shamaolee

Commendable
Feb 20, 2016
5
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Hmm so just to clarify, I should attach the SSD and at the same time remove the HDD and then boot with the windows CD? Does that sound alright?
 
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
6,758
3
45,960


Yes, @shamaolee, you should just make sure you don't have both the SSD and the HDD plugged to the SATA ports when you are installing the OS. Since the SSD is going to be your new primary/booting drive, you'd need to have ONLY it and the OS installation media/USB/CD connected. The operating system communicates with the motherboard, so having more storage options when you are installing the OS tends to confuse Windows where to store the system files. What happens is that most of the time, it scatters them across the SSD and the HDD, which results in a lot of booting issues later on.

Best of luck! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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shamaolee

Commendable
Feb 20, 2016
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Thank you!
 
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