Installing new hard drive in PC

[Grande]

Hi there

It is hard not to notice engineer and programmer people overrepresented on this site. So I figured it was a good place to ask. Not to mention how helpful people here are to others.

I just bought a new desktop that came  with your standard 3.5" HDD. I also bought a 500mb SSD (separately) and plan to install and use as that as my primary drive for the operating system etc.  I plan to use the much larger HDD for files storage. I bought the pc primarily for photography needs. I have not yet turned on the pc.

My question is how to best go about this.  I have no problem opening the pc case and installing. I am talking about how to best move the operating system from the HDD where I assume it's already installed to the SSD. Suggest Any links or videos?

Thanks!

[zolotiyeruki]

I'm a fan of EaseUS Todo Backup.  It'll clone one drive right over to the other.

[neo von retorch]

Is the SSD Samsung by any chance? It comes with excellent cloning software. If not, see if the SSD packaging includes any information or software for this purpose. (One possible free alternative: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm)

Either way, you'll want a SATA / USB bridge (something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Drive-Adapter-Optional/dp/B00U6JEKVA/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1473963326&sr=1-7&keywords=usb+sata&refinements=p_72%3A1248879011)

1) Connect SSD to desktop via SATA/USB adapter
2) Run cloning software which clones HDD to SSD
3) Shut down computer - replace HDD with SSD
4) Boot into OS with SSD attached ** IMPORTANT: Confirm SSD is all switched over and working **
5) Connect HDD to desktop via SATA/USB
6) Format HDD
7) Shut down, install HDD as secondary drive, enjoy

[neo von retorch]

Oh - and I usually do this for laptops... with a desktop, you might not need the adapter. You can install both drives. But it can be a little trickier to know which drive is in use by the computer once they are cloned and both have the OS on them, but if you can figure that out and be sure you're booting to the SSD after the clone, you just need to format the HDD and you're done.

ETA: A more thorough guide - http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows

[Grande]

Is the SSD Samsung by any chance? It comes with excellent cloning software

As a matter of fact it is. Samsung 850 Pro. And I am now remembering one reason I chose it was for the software. So I guess just start up the pc, then use the Samsung software to clone then zero out the HDD?

[neo von retorch]

Yes - when Samsung finishes the clone, I think it triggers a reboot. Upon reboot, you might have to choose your operating system, and if so, they will be identical... so you might have to do that twice if you don't pick the SSD on the first try :) Once booted to SSD you can zero the HDD (from Disk Management)

[Grande]

Much appeciated. Thanks so much!

[Grande]

Thanks for the help. I went thru the process but after reboot and dive swap the SSD was recognized but not the HDD.

Suggestions?

[neo von retorch]

Did you open Disk Management? Samsung software may have marked the drive to shut it out, but you can set up a position on it if it shows up in DM

[Grande]

I forgot about the SATA cable. The Samsung drive didn't come with one. Dumb. Sorry for wasting you time

Thanks.

[Papa Mustache]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonezilla

[Spork]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonezilla

+1.  There's always a CZ USB stick in my laptop bag.  It's a damn Swiss Army Knife.