Some n00b questions about installing an SSD

[magicfiber]

So right now I have two hard drives installed in my computer and an SSD waiting to be plugged in. What I want to do is install my operating system on my SSD, but I'm wondering how will this affect everything that's on my computer currently? Will I still have access to all of my files and programs? I've never installed an operating system on a hard drive while keeping the old one with the old operating system in the computer and I'm just wondering how this will work.

Any help and information you think a n00b builder like me should know would be super appreciated.

 

[william p]

Be sure and turn off "Auto Defragmentation". SSDs don't tolerate defrag. very well.Go to- Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter. Then turn schedule OFF. As far as your original question I hope someone else helps with that. But this is a forgotten setting that stays on sometimes and causes SSD failures.

 

[magicfiber]

Be sure and turn off "Auto Defragmentation". SSDs don't tolerate defrag. very well.Go to- Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter. Then turn schedule OFF. As far as your original question I hope someone else helps with that. But this is a forgotten setting that stays on sometimes and causes SSD failures.

Thanks william, will definitely keep that in mind

 

[magicfiber]

Aaaah-- no one can answer this? I feel like it's a pretty simple question 🙁

 

[william p]

Maybe not so simple. Some different MS operating systems use the same boot sector code so the computer won't know which to boot, or even worse boot both at once. MS doesn't like people keeping their old OS. There may be some dual boot utilities but I've never used them. Personally I just pop the case open and move the cables to the old HDD and let her rip. But then again they're right in the front on mine. You might try posting another question listing "dual Boot" and the 2 operating systems you want to use. That will get the attention of people who know about that.

 

[magicfiber]

Maybe not so simple. Some different MS operating systems use the same boot sector code so the computer won't know which to boot, or even worse boot both at once. MS doesn't like people keeping their old OS. There may be some dual boot utilities but I've never used them. Personally I just pop the case open and move the cables to the old HDD and let her rip. But then again they're right in the front on mine. You might try posting another question listing "dual Boot" and the 2 operating systems you want to use. That will get the attention of people who know about that.

I don't actually want to use both operating systems. I want to boot from the SSD and the SSD only, but I'm wondering will I still have access to programs and files on the hard drive that I'm using right now?

 

[william p]

It's the same problem. They both will have boot sectors and could have a conflict from that. People choose which questions to answer based on what they see in the Subject bar at the top. If you put more information up there you will get the right people to answer your question. Installing an SSD is one thing. Running 2 hard drives with different OS, or maybe different file systems is another matter. I would post the question "How To Install 2 Hard Drives". Then give all the details, Types of drives, which OSs, (32bit or 64 bit), and file systems used. Then someone can give you specific advice. I don't think the right people are looking at this thread. All I personally had to offer was the Auto Defrag that gets overlooked.