Install New ssd for OS but keep the old hdd.

[TheRexy]

Hi! I'm building my dad a new computer and he has alot of music files and documents he wants to save. Can I install the new ssd than plug in the hdd and delete everything except the music files and documents.

He don't care about the programs and so on, so should just get a external hard drive and back it up and then format the disk and than put it back on?

 

[ChumP]

Yes , just unplug the old HDD and install the OS on the SSD.Then plug the HDD back , back up your files on your SSD and then reformat the HDD ( this will erase everything from your HDD).

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome to Tom's Hardware, TheRexy!

I'd recommend you to just use the external for backup of your dad's music and docs and then re-format the HDD since it's going to be your secondary data storage. Then copy back the files to it. This way you'd have them stored in two locations, and that is a great back-up solution for his most precious files.
However, when you are installing the OS to the SSD, make sure the HDD is NOT connected to the SATA ports! If you have two storage devices connected at the time of the Windows installation, you could encounter an OS confusion which would result in a lot of booting issues later on. Once the installation is completed, plug back your HDD, re-format it and transfer your father's music and docs to it.
That should do the trick! If you need additional assistance with this setup, you could refer to these SSD & HDD optimization guides:
Win 7 - http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
Win 8 - http://www.overclock.net/t/1240779/seans-windows-8-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

Good luck! Hope this was helpful!
SuperSoph_WD