Installing SSD as boot drive guide

Sleeve · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:32

Anybody have any tips? First SSD so a bit unsure.

Do i remove my current HDD and the install windows 7 on the SSD, then plug in HDD and format? Is it just that simple?

Tonester007 · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:43

1) Disconnect current HDD
2) Connect SSD
3) Set SATA in the BIOS to AHCI (if not already)
4) Install Win7 onto SSD
5) Set SSD as first Boot drive
6) Reconnect old HDD

You don't have to format the old one, your PC will boot from the SSD (as set in step 5).

Sleeve · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:45

So what about all the windows files etc on my current hdd?

Also, how do i set AHCi, and what does this mean?

wildman · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:53

Sleeve88 said:
So what about all the windows files etc on my current hdd?

Also, how do i set AHCi, and what does this mean?

if the SSD is now the boot drive with a working installed copy of windows on it I would assume you can just delete the winsows folder from the old HDD ?

Tonester007 · 30 Mar 2011 at 22:04

Sleeve88 said:
So what about all the windows files etc on my current hdd?

Also, how do i set AHCi, and what does this mean?

As mentioned by Wildman, you don't need the old ones.

AHCI will be somewhere in the SATA options for your mobo.
(Either AHCI or IDE usually)

Sleeve · 30 Mar 2011 at 22:16

What about reinstalling games? Surely i cant just use second HDD and all will work fine?

Tonester007 · 30 Mar 2011 at 22:30

Sleeve88 said:
What about reinstalling games? Surely i cant just use second HDD and all will work fine?

You will need to re-install all programs and games.

The title of your post was "Installing SSD as boot drive", which is straight-forward.

Did you mean "How do I transfer my Windows and programs/games etc from a HDD to a new SSD" instead? Thats a different kettle of fish mate