Upgrading To SSD

[Blenderite]

I finally decided I should upgrade my HDD to a SSD. I am currently using a 2TB HDD. I went with a 240GB SSD that I would like to use for my OS and then use the 2TB as a storage drive. What is the best way to go about this without loosing all my data from the HDD?

 

The SSD I got came with a version of Acronis True Image HD software. Would this be able to migrate just the OS to the new SSD?

 

Thanks for the help!

[Blenderite]

Problem with that is that I have a bunch of stuff stored on the HDD that I don't want on the SSD. I am wanting just the OS on the SSD.

 

Plus my HDD would exceed the capacity of the SSD

[multifrag]

Yes it should, but I would recommend doing a clean install. If you had your windows for many years it will start to bug out and slow down. A clean install will give you more space as you will choose to install only the necessary software which you use now, and not 1 year ago.

[Blenderite]

Yes it should, but I would recommend doing a clean install. If you had your windows for many years it will start to bug out and slow down. A clean install will give you more space as you will choose to install only the necessary software which you use now, and not 1 year ago.

I was thinking that might be the best option. Thing is that when I bought my PC it didn't come with a install disk, so I would have to create a recovery disk correct?

 

Or I could just wing it with a Windows 10 preview build

[slightlyjaded]

I was thinking that might be the best option. Thing is that when I bought my PC it didn't come with a install disk, so I would have to create a recovery disk correct?

 

Or I could just wing it with a Windows 10 preview build

Should have a sticker on the side of the case with the install code. Go to the microsoft home page, download the image, and install with that code.

[Blenderite]

Should have a sticker on the side of the case with the install code. Go to the microsoft home page, download the image, and install with that code.

All it has is the HP sticker with the serial number and product number. You are talking about a Microsoft sticker like this one correct?

 

[slightlyjaded]

All it has is the HP sticker with the serial number and product number. You are talking about a Microsoft sticker like this one correct?

 

 

Yep, that's the sticker. All OEM's are supposed to have it attached to the case somewhere if they sell it with windows preinstalled (I hide mine between the motherboard tray, and the panel so it doesn't look so damn ugly)

[Blenderite]

Yep, that's the sticker. All OEM's are supposed to have it attached to the case somewhere if they sell it with windows preinstalled (I hide mine between the motherboard tray, and the panel so it doesn't look so damn ugly)

I took the cover off and examined the inside of the case and there was no sticker there either. Where the heck could this thing be???

[slightlyjaded]

I took the cover off and examined the inside of the case and there was no sticker there either. Where the heck could this thing be???

""Find your Windows 7 product key: Typically this 25-character alphanumeric string is printed on a sticker affixed to your PC or on documentation included with your PC. Alternatively, you can use a keyfinder program such as Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder to pull your product key from the Registry. You need your product key to reinstall Windows."

 

Pulled from the HP forum. If it isn't hidden somewhere on that HP sticker, this is a workaround.

[Blenderite]

Yeah I will probably have to use that method.

[Blenderite]

I downloaded Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder and instantly WebRoot detects it as threat. Any other methods of trying to retrieve this?

[Blenderite]

Apparently Windows 8 OEM PC's don't ship with the sticker. They only have a Windows 8 logo sticker.

[slightlyjaded]

I downloaded Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder and instantly WebRoot detects it as threat. Any other methods of trying to retrieve this?

Any program not directly approves by microsoft that wants to play around in your registry is going to register as a threat. If you've still got the manual that came with your computer, it could be stuck to it

[Blenderite]

Ok it returned a bad key. Windows 8.1 would not accept it.

 

Now my only choice is cloning. My SSD came with a copy of Acronis True Image HD 2014. When I try to clone, it gets to the part where it should start cloning and it stops and does nothing.

 

I need a good way to do this that will actually work.

 

Help please!!!

[Blenderite]

I finally figured out what I was doing wrong so the cloning was a success. Currently running off the SSD and the boot times and over all system speed improvements are wonderful!

 

I formatted the HDD and am wanting set it up to be used for my storage. Is there a way to tell Windows to use that drive for storage and to leave the SSD alone? Thanks!

[MoonSpot]

I finally figured out what I was doing wrong so the cloning was a success. Currently running off the SSD and the boot times and over all system speed improvements are wonderful!

 

I formatted the HDD and am wanting set it up to be used for my storage. Is there a way to tell Windows to use that drive for storage and to leave the SSD alone? Thanks!

 

You can redirect libraries to your other partition(HDD).  However I wouldn't recommend doing so for all libraries, just movies, music and downloads.  It's best(IMHO) to redirect Documents & Pictures into your OneDrive/GoogleDrive Sync folder(or other reputable online backup) and keeping the originals on your primary(SSD) as space allows. 

Or even just changing your downloads folder through your web browser(s) could be a good first step.

 

Don't be afraid to use your SSD, it's why you got it.  Might I ask, what's the nature of the data that was taking up 800GB?  Helps to know in order to recommend a good way to handle it.

[Blenderite]

You can redirect libraries to your other partition(HDD).  However I wouldn't recommend doing so for all libraries, just movies, music and downloads.  It's best(IMHO) to redirect Documents & Pictures into your OneDrive/GoogleDrive Sync folder(or other reputable online backup) and keeping the originals on your primary(SSD) as space allows. 

Or even just changing your downloads folder through your web browser(s) could be a good first step.

 

Don't be afraid to use your SSD, it's why you got it.  Might I ask, what's the nature of the data that was taking up 800GB?  Helps to know in order to recommend a good way to handle it.

The majority of it was both pictures and videos and also some 3D FX files and assets. That is about it really.

[MoonSpot]

The majority of it was both pictures and videos and also some 3D FX files and assets. That is about it really.

Video is generally best to have them directed/sourced to and from mass storage, with the exception of any that you may be working on.  When using large files most of the difference is noticed when initially accessing, after that it's pretty standard fare.

For pictures on the other hand it's a good idea to keep them on the SSD.  It's an annoyance to have to wait when opening folders containing images for the spindle to move and head to scan all over the place just to generate thumbnails for multiple smaller files/images.  Photos and documents are an area where SSDs just humiliate HDDs.

 

Of course it all depends on how much data is being consumed by the files you have.  I for example can not house my over 1TB of photos on my 240GB SSD either, so archiving and organizing is a thing here until large SSD pricing comes down from Hollywood/silicon valley level pricing.  yet, I still have my most common and current photos on my SSD, cause it's that much better.

[CalebTheEternal]

Problem with that is that I have a bunch of stuff stored on the HDD that I don't want on the SSD. I am wanting just the OS on the SSD.

 

Plus my HDD would exceed the capacity of the SSD

Why are you getting a 240GB SSD just for the OS?