Quick SSD Upgrade Question (please help)

coper210

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Nov 19, 2011
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Hello, I am going to be upgrading from my current Hard Drive to an SSD and I had a quick question that I hope you guys can help me with. I am going to be doing a clean install of Windows 7 and I was wondering if these are the steps I should be taking when I am installing my new SSD.

1. Plug in the SSD and upgrade the firmware with the corsair firmware updater.
2. Configure the registry so it will allow me to use AHCI, turn off computer and go into BIOS and change to AHCI Mode.
3. Change my boot priority to CDROM and put Windows 7 disk into Disk-Drive.
4. Turn off my computer and unplug my old Hard Drive.
5. Turn on computer and install windows.

Am I doing that right? After I install Windows 7 how do I format my old Hard Drive? on step 2 should I not change it to AHCI on my old Hard drive and just wait until I unplug my old Hard Drive then change my setting to AHCI with only my new SSD plugged in? Will my product key work before I format my old Hard Drive?
I really need some help with this and I will be picking a best answer ;)
 
Solution
1.) Plug in the SSD and upgrade the firmware with the Corsair firmware updater.
2.) Turn off your computer and unplug old hard drive.
3.) Boot into BIOS and change SATA mode to AHCI.
4.) Change boot priority to CDROM and put Windows 7 disk into disk drive.
5.) Save your BIOS settings, reboot and install Windows.
6.) Turn off your computer and connect your hard drive.
7.) Boot into BIOS and change boot priority to SSD.
8.) Boot into Windows, open Windows Explorer, right-click on the drive letter of your hard drive (D: Drive probably), select “Format…”, and Quick Format the drive.

If you are only upgrading your drive then yes, your Product Key will work.
1.) Plug in the SSD and upgrade the firmware with the Corsair firmware updater.
2.) Turn off your computer and unplug old hard drive.
3.) Boot into BIOS and change SATA mode to AHCI.
4.) Change boot priority to CDROM and put Windows 7 disk into disk drive.
5.) Save your BIOS settings, reboot and install Windows.
6.) Turn off your computer and connect your hard drive.
7.) Boot into BIOS and change boot priority to SSD.
8.) Boot into Windows, open Windows Explorer, right-click on the drive letter of your hard drive (D: Drive probably), select “Format…”, and Quick Format the drive.

If you are only upgrading your drive then yes, your Product Key will work.
 
Solution

coper210

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THANK YOU!!!! you have helped me so much throughout the weeks and I just want to let you know that you are an amazing person :D
 

coper210

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One more question if you don't mind, I have a couple of games like Battlefield 3 and Bioshock that I do not really want to have to download again so is there a way to transfer over a couple of games to the SSD from the HDD before I format it?
 

coper210

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Ok thank you!