Another SSD install scenario

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
L

LindaLuWho

Reputable
Dec 17, 2014
8
0
4,510
I just purchased a new Dell Precision T1700. I haven't even turned it on yet. I have a new Crucial 240GB SSD that I want to install for the OS and other programs. Win7 Pro 64bit came installed but the Recovery Media sent from Dell is for Win 8.1. I don't want Win 8.1 at all. So without an install disc, how can I do a clean install on the SSD with Win7 Pro and then use the 1TB HDD that came on the computer for my other files? I've read so much about cloning, iso images, and clean installs but most of them are addressing hard drive replacement in established pc's that have other data to back up. What is the best route for a brand new computer without in install disc? Also, there is no Win7 label on the computer showing a product key that I would think would be necessary in re-install that OS. Thanks so much for your time!
 
Solution
A
Cloning will work fine if you have a program that doesn't mind the larger partition size of the existing HDD. Otherwise you should be able to pull a downgrade with 8.1, but that could be frustrating so I would recommend cloning.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Cloning will work fine if you have a program that doesn't mind the larger partition size of the existing HDD. Otherwise you should be able to pull a downgrade with 8.1, but that could be frustrating so I would recommend cloning.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution


Ok, so would my steps be the following?
Install SSD in secondary slot
Clone HDD to SSD
Remove HDD and place SSD in primary spot
Reboot

Do I need to be concerned with formatting the ssd at all? What cloning software is highly recommended? Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote



That's about right except you shouldn't have to swap the HDD and SSD positions, just make sure you format the original HDD once you make sure the SSD is working properly. You might have to format the ssd (doubtful) but you won't have to partition it. You will either need to unplug the HDD or change the primary boot drive until you format the HDD.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Ok, I thought the drive in the primary slot would automatically be the C: drive which is what windows looks for and what all software will want to install on.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
No the primary drive is set by the OS installed on it, which also sets all the other driver letters as well. If you boot from your old drive, it will think the HDD is C:/primary and if you boot from the SSD it will think that the SSD is C:/primary. The reason you need to format your old HDD is to remove the extra boot partition to avoid confusion during the initial boot, just unplugging it serves the same purpose during testing without destroying the original data giving you something to fall back on.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thanks so much for your help. I used Macrium Reflect to clone the HDD to the SSD and it worked wonderfully. I shut down the computer, unhooked the HDD and started it up. It booted from the SSD just fine and it shows up as "OS (C:)." I then shut it down again, reconnected the old HDD and booted it up once more. Now the HDD shows up as "RECOVERY (E:)" and also "OS (F:)." I know I need to format the original HDD. Do I format E: or F: or both? It just needs to be a non-partitioned drive for storage.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


If there is nothing on the HDD you still need, the best way is through Disk Management
Select each partition
Delete it
You are left with one large space. Make that into one partition
Format it
Give it a drive letter
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Can I not make a recovery disk from the SSD at this point since it holds the OS?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nope, you can only make a recovery disk from the recovery partition. There is an option to create something similar to a recovery disk from the OS but it doesn't have the Windows install on it.

You should be able to burn a set of CD/DVDs from the recovery partition with the default manufacturer's setup including OS and drivers.

Granted if you transferred the recovery partition over with the OS partition you should be able to create it from the SSD as well.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
From Dell's website/PDF:

"Dell™ Backup and Recovery Manager V1.3 (DBRM) is a basic and easy to use tool
that helps you create and manage your file and system backups, and recover your
computer and data in the event of a failure. Using the program, you will also be able
to:

1. Create bootable recovery disk or external storage device that includes the
Windows Recovery Environment and can include your Dell Factory
Image (strongly recommended). Your Dell Factory Image includes your
operating system, and any drivers and applications installed when your
system was built in the Dell factory (Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7
only - not available in Windows XP).

How does this benefit me? The Windows Recovery Environment allows
you to automatically fix problems that are preventing Windows from starting.
It also allows you to restore Windows to an earlier point in time, access a
command prompt and among other things, launch Dell Backup and
Recovery Manager and restore your system from a previously saved system
backup image, all without having to be in Windows.
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you include your Dell Factory
Image on your recovery disk.

2. Create a single legal backup copy of your Microsoft Windows
Operating System (OS) and other factory-installed applications on optical
media (all OS versions) or an external storage device (Microsoft Windows
Vista and Windows 7 only).

How does this benefit me? This allows you to create your one-time backup
copy of your original Microsoft Windows operating system, and factoryinstalled
applications that no longer include optical media with your system.
The OS media you create also includes your Dell factory-installed drivers. The
drivers reside in the Drivers folder on the optical media or external storage
device. If you no longer have your Dell Factory Image or a system backup
image to restore, the OS media allows you to at least get back to your
original Windows operating system state and manually reinstall your Dell
drivers. The applications media backups will allow you to reinstall the
applications you purchased with your system. This is another great tool in
your arsenal to use.

CAUTION: Reformatting your primary hard drive or deleting its
Recovery partition will delete your Dell Factory Image. As a result,
the image will no longer be available as a Restore option. "

Link to PDF document: ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_electronics/esuprt_software/esuprt_dell_utility/dell-bckup-and-recvry-mangr-v1.3_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I cloned it exactly the way it was. Under Disk Management, my SSD now shows:
39MB OEM Partition
11.73GB NTFS RECOVERY Partition
211.8GB CRUCIAL SSD (C) Partition


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom