How to Transfer Everything on one hard drive to the next?

[Crypto6]

So I am thinking about getting a SSD soon for my computer. My desktop is custom built and so far only has a one 1TB HDD. Start ups are ridiculously slow (I think my HDD is failing as it makes clicking noises ONLY when starting Windows. Windows 7 used to boot up fast but now it takes about a minute... Problem only started happening this week. SMART tests are passed 100% though).

Anyway, My SSD will automatically be a D: drive correct? So how can I put everything on my HDD including my operating system (which is Windows 7), into the SSD and essentially make that the C: drive instead? If that is even possible.

Here is the SSD I was planning on getting: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te1t0bw
Might buy two and just discard my HDD drive entirely if its starting to fail.

 

[udit1311]

So I am thinking about getting a SSD soon for my computer. My desktop is custom built and so far only has a one 1TB HDD. Start ups are ridiculously slow (I think my HDD is failing as it makes clicking noises ONLY when starting Windows. Windows 7 used to boot up fast but now it takes about a minute... Problem only started happening this week. SMART tests are passed 100% though).

Anyway, My SSD will automatically be a D: drive correct? So how can I put everything on my HDD including my operating system (which is Windows 7), into the SSD and essentially make that the C: drive instead? If that is even possible.

Here is the SSD I was planning on getting: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te1t0bw
Might buy two and just discard my HDD drive entirely if its starting to fail.

You could simply use one of the hundreds of HDD cloning softwares available...

I personally prefer a nifty freeware Unix based solution - Clonezilla

But you could go for any other available ones too, am sure they're as good & easy to deploy.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, Crypto6!

You have several options, however you should backup that HDD ASAP, because it seems like it's failing.
Cloning corrupt data or even the OS from that HDD is not a good idea though, the recommended way to proceed here is to perform a fresh install of the OS on the SSD. A lot of SSDs come with a cloning/migrating software, so if you don't have the OS installation disk, you can use that utility instead.
However, in order to CLEAN install Windows on the SSD properly you need to disconnect the HDD first.
But if you plan to clone the HDD instead, I believe you will receive guidelines with your SSD how to do that or try the Acronis True Image software.
Here's a detailed tutorial that might be useful when installing your new SSD:
http://www.thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-ultimate-windows-8-edition/

Hope this helped you!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[photonboy]

I used Machinarium Reflect Free.
The above program even has a "verify" feature to make sure it cloned properly.

Personally, I'd unhook the HDD, install Windows from scratch then hookup the HDD to transfer back any data before finally formatting. i.e.

1. Shut down PC
2. Unhook HDD
3. Attach SSD
4. Install Windows
5. Install motherboard drivers, video drivers etc
6. Attach HDD and copy back any important data (may need to change boot order back to SSD if HDD boots)
7. Format HDD (be sure you got everything needed)
8. backup SSD to HDD using a program like Acronis True Image

Other:
*You may be interested to know that GAMES don't generally benefit much from an SSD aside from LOAD times. You may prefer to get the 256GB Samsung EVO instead for $120 (and install Samsung Magician).

Even if your HDD is failing, you'll want a second HDD to backup to so RMA your drive if need be. I'd the put Steam and other games on the HDD instead maybe putting a couple on the main SSD that would benefit from frequent loads like SKYRIM (jumping around map). For that I'd partition the SSD and use 100GB as a 2nd Steam folder. You can MOVE Steam games by backup, delete, restore but choose other Steam folder.

 

[Crypto6]

Okay- sounds like starting clean would be a lot more beneficiary than migrating everything to the SSD. Would I contact Microsoft to "re-verify" my Windows 7 key with them? And roughly (I know this will only be an estimate) how much longer do you guys think I have until my HDD gets worse? I have absolutely no spending money, and won't have any to buy the SSDs until another two weeks from now. Do you think my HDD can hold off until then?

Again, it only clicks during start up. Never ever clicks afterwards and I've never ran into errors aside from booting my OS (which takes forever...). I put my PC in sleep mode and haven't really touched it since this problem began. Think it can hold out for a bit longer?

Also, is there anything else I need to be aware of (such as contacting Microsoft as mentioned above)? Any problems that could go wrong? Seems like I just built the thing and I'm fixing something out of it every month =_=...

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Okay- sounds like starting clean would be a lot more beneficiary than migrating everything to the SSD. Would I contact Microsoft to "re-verify" my Windows 7 key with them? And roughly (I know this will only be an estimate) how much longer do you guys think I have until my HDD gets worse? I have absolutely no spending money, and won't have any to buy the SSDs until another two weeks from now. Do you think my HDD can hold off until then?

Again, it only clicks during start up. Never ever clicks afterwards and I've never ran into errors aside from booting my OS (which takes forever...). I put my PC in sleep mode and haven't really touched it since this problem began. Think it can hold out for a bit longer?

Also, is there anything else I need to be aware of (such as contacting Microsoft as mentioned above)? Any problems that could go wrong? Seems like I just built the thing and I'm fixing something out of it every month =_=...

You shouldn't face any issues contacting Microsoft. The OS communicates with the motherboard, so changing the storage wouldn't affect you in any case. The same product key should do the job again.

As for the HDD's lifespan, I'd recommend backing it up immediately just in case.
And you can only hope for the best in the upcoming couple of weeks that it will hold.
You can try testing it with your HDD manufacturer diagnostic tool just to check how much damage we're talking about here.
I really hope it will hold until you get the SSD though.

Keep us posted if you have more questions!
SuperSoph_WD