Installing Windows 7 on new SSD, what happens to old HDD that had Windows 7 first?

[codeview]

I'm finally upgrading my 5 year old custom built PC with an SSD. I'm going to do a clean install of Windows 7 (OEM version) to start fresh, but I'm wondering what will happen with the current HDD that has had Windows 7 on it first? Will the motherboard recognize and be able to boot both drives individually (a selection in the BIOS/start-up screen) with the same OS on them?

I'd like to be able to access the HDD to grab files/documents when needed and when I have everything I need I may reformat the HDD to use as additional storage...or maybe leave it as-is as a back-up drive with all it's current files/documents.

 

[popatim]

Yes you will be able to try but please dont expect it to actually work due to different drivers & such in the old version.

 

[codeview]

Yes you will be able to try but please dont expect it to actually work due to different drivers & such in the old version.

Can you elaborate on what you mean? Won't each hard drive have the same drivers for the same motherboard? What do you mean by "old version"?

 

[Pleistoros]

Take out your old HDD and install the Windows on your new SDD.
Alter all is done just connect the old HDD as a second drive.
And yes you will be able to boot from both drives individually if you want, but don't use any system repair tools or cleaning programs with multiple visible windows partitions, unless you know what you are doing.