What's the Best way to install a new SSD.

assassin445522 · Dec 24, 2016

I currently have only an HDD and specs are in quote and on Profile.

Got a Samsung 850 500gb SSD.

Will this work?

unplug my HDD

Plug in SSD and install the OS.

Plug in HDD (with OS still installed on it)

Un install the OS from the HDD

Keep all my programs yay with the saves settings yay, than I can move some programs to the SSD

I have an extremely modded skyrim that's all over my PC and last time I re installed an OS it screwed it up.

BuckyJunior · Dec 24, 2016

Yes, all of that would work. You would have to move the files off of the HDD before uninstalling the OS though.

assassin445522 · Dec 24, 2016

So basically what I'd do would be move everything I want onto the SSD, with both the SSD and HDD installed, and than wipe the HDD?

I still want to use the HDD as an extra storage

BuckyJunior · Dec 24, 2016

assassin445522 :

Yep.

USAFRet · Dec 24, 2016

assassin445522 :

No, this mostly does not work.
The bolded line above is where it fails.

You can't 'Keep all my programs' when you do a clean install on the SSD. Those exist with the old OS on the HDD.

A clean install on the SSD means a reinstall of all your applications (programs)

To 'move everything' is a migration. You don't just copy/paste, you use one of the various applications that will do this properly.

So, let's investigate.
1. How large is the SSD?
2. How much total used space is on the current C drive?
3. How much of that do you really need to migrate over?

assassin445522 · Dec 25, 2016

The SSD is 500gb

Idk exactly how much and I currently don't have my PC at my house xD, maybe 500gb or less

Just the Os and Skyrim

USAFRet · Dec 25, 2016

assassin445522 :

Once you find out exactly how much, we can investigate ways to actually do this and have it work.

BuckyJunior · Dec 25, 2016

Here are the steps you would have to take.

To manually choose what programs you want to move:

1. Install the SSD with the HDD.
2. Install Windows on the SDD.
3. Boot the PC on the SSD, migrate to the program/game directory, and then copy the directory over to the SSD.
4. After you are finished moving the programs, format the HDD.

To make a complete drive copy:

1. Install the SSD with the HDD.
2. Make a complete drive copy with a drive copying software.
3. Boot up on the SSD.
4. Format the HDD.

USAFRet · Dec 25, 2016

BuckyJunior :

Step 3 does not work with a lot of applications.

assassin445522 · Dec 26, 2016

im only using 269 gbs on my pc. Installed the new SSD haven't done anything yet though

USAFRet · Dec 26, 2016

assassin445522 :

OK then...
This fits quite nicely into that new 500GB SSD.

If you want to clone everything over, do this:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------

assassin445522 · Dec 26, 2016

USAFRet :

assassin445522 :

OK then...
This fits quite nicely into that new 500GB SSD.

If you want to clone everything over, do this:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------

I currently do not have a copy of windows disk/USB to install from, but i do have the key, Will this work without a disk for windows?

USAFRet · Dec 26, 2016

assassin445522 :

USAFRet :

I currently do not have a copy of windows disk/USB to install from, but i do have the key, Will this work without a disk for windows?

That is simply a direct clone from your old drive to the new drive.
No OS install or license key needed.

assassin445522 · Dec 26, 2016

Alright thanks

here i go! lets hope this works!

ill keep this updated as well and pick best answer if it works so other people can do the same

assassin445522 · Dec 26, 2016

Data migration finished, unplugged old HDD but I have a bad mess of cords I have to go through, my old hard drive was hooked up to a SATA 1, so I'm hooking the SSD to SATA 1 as you said

USAFRet · Dec 26, 2016

assassin445522 :

SATA I port?
OK...after you get it booting from that specific port, then change it again.
Presumably the motherboard has SATA III ports? Use one of those.
This should not cause any issues.

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