Question SSD Failing Need To Re-Setup The PC

[coolibeans]

So my SSD seems to be failing. I am getting BSOD errors on top of files not saving upon restart, every time I restart my PC it resets all changes and new files are not there anymore.

I can't even run chkdsk on the computer as when I schedule chkdsk to run on restart the computer just forgets it and boots normally.

I also have a secondary HDD attached to the PC, the HDD is working and saving files after restart.

What would be the best way to fix this?

I was thinking of making a Windows bootable USB and then opening up the PC and removing the SSD drive and then booting from the USB and formatting and installing Windows again on the HDD.

Would I be able to install Windows on the HDD without re-formatting it?

Does this sound like the best fix for the problem? Is there any better way to do this or anything I should take note of?

 

[coolibeans]

Will it be as simple as removing the SSD drive and re-installing Windows using the HDD or are there other steps required using the BIOS or whatever?

 

[USAFRet]

Will it be as simple as removing the SSD drive and re-installing Windows using the HDD or are there other steps required using the BIOS or whatever?

That's pretty much it.

Of course, you'll need to reinstall all your applications. And whatever personal files are on both drives are now gone.
The reinstall wipes everything on the target drive (the HDD)

 

[coolibeans]

Is there any steps required to booting from the USB besides plugging it in and going to the boot menu?

 

[coolibeans]

Do I need to switch the HDD cord to the SSD slot after I remove the SSD or would it be fine leaving as is?

 

[USAFRet]

Do I need to switch the HDD cord to the SSD slot after I remove the SSD or would it be fine leaving as is?

No.

But, assuming Win 10, you should really get a new SATA SSD. Performance on an HDD will be a bit painful.
And, you then would not have to format the HDD.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[coolibeans]

Thanks!

 

[Misgar]

One more thing. When installing Windows from USB, remember to unplug/disconnect all hard disks and SSDs, apart from the drive you're using for the fresh installation of Windows.

If you leave several drives attached, you might end up with Windows split over two drives, especially when cloning, e.g. boot sector on one disk, main OS on another disk. There's also the chance you might wipe the wrong drive (data) if it's still connected, when installing Windows.

Even a super cheap 250GB or 500GB SATA SSD is better than booting Windows from a hard disk. I still have Windows 10 booting from 120GB SATA SSDs on a few old PCs.