Transferring OS from HDD to new SSD

[Simo/V]

Hello all,

I have recently purchased a new SSD and it is due to be delivered tomorrow morning. I have little to no experience with SSD's, and one of the first things I wish to do is to transfer my OS (Windows 7) to it.

Help with this will be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Simon.

 

[vanthus]

You will need to make a system image(clone the system drive)
either to a second internal or an external hard drive.
unfortunately the windows own "create a system image" wont work unless the drives are of equal size or the target drive is larger than the source drive.
You would need something like norton ghost to move it to a smaller drive.

 

[tom_gr7]

I had this problem a number of weeks ago. There is software available to buy that do this for you,however, I ended up just installing a new os on the SSD.

 

[Simo/V]

Ok thanks, if i just do a fresh install, how easy is it then to remove the OS off my old HDD as I want to use it for storage only...

 

[tom_gr7]

when insert the win 7 cd, follow the steps, when it says choose which drive, you can format the other drives, create partitions etc.

 

[NMEBowen]

aslong as you dont mind wiping the storage drive clean its just a matter of rightclick the drive in my computer and selecting format.

 

[vanthus]

I would take the existing OS HDD out while you are installing the SSD,
this will avoid problems like the OS not being installed on the C drive &
dual booting issues.
You could then reinstall & format the HDD from the OS installed on the SSD
by right clicking on the drive in "computer".
Make sure you have saved what you want before doing so.

 

[Simo/V]

I do not wish to lose the data of the HDD, just remove the OS off it, is that possible? I will do a fresh install of the OS on the SSD, but obviously the SSD is far to small to temp hold the data off the HDD whilst I remove the OS...What is the best method of getting around this? Sorry if im being stupid here, I just want to make sure I know what im doing as the data is very valuable to me.

 

[Wazza]

If the data is very valuable to you I'd probably get an external HD, copy all your data there, wipe the old HD, install windows on the SDD and then copy your data from the external HD back to your old HD and then keep the external HD as a backup.

Eggs, one basket, etc.

 

[vanthus]

Save your data now to a second hard drive if you have one
or an external hard drive.
You can also save it to blank CDs,DVD's or USB stick depending on how much data you have.

 

[NMEBowen]

if its really valuable writing it to dvd isnt a bad idea.

 

[Simo/V]

So there is no way to remove the OS off the HDD but keep programmes and files such as Steam and all my games there? Going to be a pain in the ass re-download 300Gb+ of games...

 

[PokerFace]

So there is no way to remove the OS off the HDD but keep programmes and files such as Steam and all my games there? Going to be a pain in the ass re-download 300Gb+ of games...

If this data is very 'valuable' to you, then you should definitely have a copy of it made anyway, as previously suggested. It shouldn't be too much of a pain to do, as you are copying from one disc to another, not downloading it all again. So it should be much quicker/easier shouldn't it?

If it's not backed up....it's NOT VALUABLE!