Guidance on adding an SSD to existing PC

DELETED_83755

DELETED_83755

DELETED_83755

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I have ordered a 64gb SSD which should be arriving tomorrow. I therefore have a few queries specific to my setup.

1. I have a Western Digital 640 GB currently partitioned into two: one for the OS and one for my files. This drive in currently in IDE mode. I understand I first need to remove my hard disk drive, Go into Bios and enable ACHI mode and then attach and install Windows 7 on the SSD.

2. Would there be any problems reattaching my outgoing hard disk OS drive to the PC after installing windows on the SSD? Will my existing two partitions be recognised without problems despite one having the OS installed previously? I'm windows get confused ?

3. How do I move the main "Documents" folder et al. to the Hard drive after installing windows on the SSD?

4. I recall that before reinstalling steam, I need to delete the "steam" folder but keep "steamapps" and then install steam on the hard drive where the content resides?

Thank you in advance.
 
I was about to ask very similar questions, so interested in any response!

Although, question 1 wasn't a question...? haha! I'm curious what ACHI mode is and how it effects normal HDDs? From what i have read you are correct in how you install windows on the SSD... remove all the HDDs first.

2. Same query. I was planning on leaving my complete windows installation on the one HDD until im happy with the SSD install etc. Im curious if windows will spaz out if it starts finding another documents folder etc...? All my pics etc are on another HDD so i was hoping to just point the new windows at the old windows picture folder... but im not sure what will happen??

3. To move the location of defualt folders such as 'music' etc, you just right click on the folder and go to properties > Location Tab > Follow instructions

4. Yes, keep the folder with all the apps. Reinstall steam and just move the data back. it will need to recheck everything, but at least it wont have to redownload everything. Not sure on which folders though, cant remember from when i did it last time.
 
teddy3578 said:
I have ordered a 64gb SSD which should be arriving tomorrow. I therefore have a few queries specific to my setup.

1. I have a Western Digital 640 GB currently partitioned into two: one for the OS and one for my files. This drive in currently in IDE mode. I understand I first need to remove my hard disk drive, Go into Bios and enable ACHI mode and then attach and install Windows 7 on the SSD.

2. Would there be any problems reattaching my outgoing hard disk OS drive to the PC after installing windows on the SSD? Will my existing two partitions be recognised without problems despite one having the OS installed previously? I'm windows get confused ?

3. How do I move the main "Documents" folder et al. to the Hard drive after installing windows on the SSD?

4. I recall that before reinstalling steam, I need to delete the "steam" folder but keep "steamapps" and then install steam on the hard drive where the content resides?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

1. You don't need to remove the hard drive to enable AHCI mode. Simply fit the ssd to your case, enable AHCI in the bios and install windows to the ssd. Job done :).

2. No problem at all. Windows might possibly set up a dual boot in its bootloader with the old install. If it does this is easy to correct though.

3. It'll be easier to link to an existing guide than to explain it again:

http://windows7themes.net/how-to-move-my-documents-in-windows-7.html

4. Hmm, the way I do it is not to install steam again at all, just leave it on the hard drive when you reformat. Then when you try to run steam for the first time on a fresh install, it'll complain about it not being set up correctly and that it needs to make some changes. Let it make the changes and all will be well :).

What you described will probably work too though.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I will keep this thread updated once I install this drive. I'm hoping my hard drive doesn't somehow get corrupted during the process as I don't have a portable hard drive to store my steam files and other stuff. All personal stuff can be backed up on a flash drive.
 
teddy3578 said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I will keep this thread updated once I install this drive. I'm hoping my hard drive doesn't somehow get corrupted during the process as I don't have a portable hard drive to store my steam files and other stuff. All personal stuff can be backed up on a flash drive.
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware switching between AHCI and IDE is only important for the OS drive. I've switched between AHCI and IDE a fair few times and as long as the windows install is set to use the correct driver then nothing else matters.

Possibly extremely old sata drives require IDE, I'm not sure. However my F3 and some Hitachi drive had no issues.
 
Hey guys, I have installed windows 7 on the SSD. The problem now is that the computer is not detecting my ethernet port or my wireless card so I cannot connect to the internet. So confused!
 
Already tried that, but the drivers don't do much as it cannot detect the wifi card/ethernet. Never required drivers for either in the past though. Going to reset cmos and make sure the SATA is in ACHI mode again.
 
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