install Win7 on mSATA (Win7 currently on HDD)

[Paul Unger]

I want to install Win7 on an mSATA drive I just installed, and have it as my boot drive. I'd also like to keep the 320 GB HDD for storage. But can I just install Windows on the mSATA? Won't I have clashing OSes (i.e., two C drives)? I'm just not sure how to go about this... Pull the HDD, install Win7 on the mSATA with a USB drive..., and then what with the HDD?

There's got to be a solution (this is the most promising guide I've found: http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/insta ... d-tutorial; but it looks like a lot of 'gymnastics' to reassign drive letters...) Hoping someone can help!

Paul

[Cigarguy]

Yep that's what I would do.

I remove the HDD. Install Win 7 and programs onto the mSata drive. Set BIOS to boot from mSata drive as the primary drive. Transfer data from HDD to mSata drive or temporary location. Once all data have been transferred and everything is working as I want with mSata drive, then and only then will I reformat the HDD and use it as my primary data drive. Google how to transfer my documents, pictures, music, etc to another location if you wish.

The system won't get confuse. It will find the first device, as listed in BIOS boot/startup, with an OS and load it.

[Paul Unger]

Thanks for the quick reply Cigarguy!

One more question: I've just installed the mSATA drive, but haven't 'Allocated' it in 'Computer Management'. Do I have to?

[Cigarguy]

Thanks for the quick reply Cigarguy!

One more question: I've just installed the mSATA drive, but haven't 'Allocated' it in 'Computer Management'. Do I have to?

Naw, Computer Management is a Windows thing.....once Windows is installed. Remove the HDD to avoid accidentally doing anything bad to it. That leaves the USB boot drive and mSata drive. Simply load Win 7 onto the mSata drive.

[Paul Unger]

Cool. Thanks! I'm going to give it a try...

Edit: Half an hour later, I'm done! I changed boot order in the BIOS (mSATA above both HDD0 and HDD1), and when I plugged the HDD back in it was assigned drive E. Awesome help! Thanks!