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    Upgrading to SSD from 1TB HDD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by JohnTheProd, Jan 19, 2013.

  1. JohnTheProd

    JohnTheProd Newbie

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    Hey all! I'm currently planning on upgrading from my 1TB HDD to a 128GB SSD on my PC. That being said, getting the OS (Windows 7) on the SSD isn't an issue. My issue is that I don't understand how to go about using my current HDD once I get my SSD set-up. I want to use the SSD for my OS and editing software, and possibly games unless I get another SSD for that. So my question is how would I go about keeping my HDD in my PC's HDD bay as a mass storage device? I guess I would need to know how to remove my OS from it and make it easy to hold random media while in the HDD bay with my SSD.

    Thanks everyone!
     
    JohnTheProd, Jan 19, 2013
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  2. RMXO

    RMXO Notebook Deity

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    For us to help you, tell us which laptop you have & how many bays do they have. Does it have a mSATA port and does it have a CDRW bay that you can put a HDD in using a caddy?
     
    RMXO, Jan 19, 2013
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  3. Zenoru

    Zenoru Notebook Consultant

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    Are you talking about a desktop PC? In this case, you can simply connect both drives and in the BIOS, make the SSD the primary boot drive. You should be able to see the old HDD as another drive. Make sure you backup all important files, then you can use Computer -> Manage -> Disk Management to format and make a new drive letter (e.g. D) for the HDD.

    If it's a laptop, you can follow the above, but you would need an external HDD to ODD caddy unless you have two HDD drive bays. Usually only 17"+ laptops have two HDD drive bays.
     
    Zenoru, Jan 19, 2013
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  4. JohnTheProd

    JohnTheProd Newbie

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    Forgot to mention that it's a desktop (Alienware Aurora R3 specifically). The bay has 4 slots. I'll be putting the SSD in the primary slot with a 3.5 cage for it to fit in.
     
    JohnTheProd, Jan 19, 2013
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  5. JohnTheProd

    JohnTheProd Newbie

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    PERFECT ANSWER! Thank you! So after I install Windows and Apps on SSD just reboot with the HDD inserted as well and enter BIOS and set the SSD as primary drive? Reboot and in Windows 7 back up my goodies on the HDD and format it? Then just add in the backed up stuff to the newly formatted HDD?
     
    JohnTheProd, Jan 19, 2013
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  6. Zenoru

    Zenoru Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, that is right. The SSD will probably appear as the C drive, and the OS as the D drive. If it doesn't, you can go to Disk Management to set a drive letter, so that it appears in Explorer.
     
    Zenoru, Jan 19, 2013
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  7. JohnTheProd

    JohnTheProd Newbie

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    Words cannot describe my thankfulness for your wisdom. Thanks a ton!
     
    JohnTheProd, Jan 19, 2013
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