Easiest way to Transfer Files to a new HD.
 

Whats the easiest way to transfer all of my files from my old HD?

Old HD : 1TB, new HD 500gb.

The HD I have now, is running a cracked version of Windows 7 Ultimate. I'm installing a legit copy of Windows 7 Pro onto my new HD, then moving most of the old files over.

What's the easiest way to do this?

Should I move all of my files onto the new HD, then do a clean install on the old one?
Old one is larger. makes more sense.
How do I set them up to run in RAID?

You might not even need to re-install Windows 7... you might be able to change product keys from the cracked one to the legit one...

But if you want to reinstall from scratch for the hell of it...

Can your computer fit two hard drives?

If so, I would check the benchmarks on the two drives. I would put my OS on the faster drive, and then have the other as a data drive for files.

If 500GB drive is faster, install Windows 7 on it, copy all relevant data files from old 1TB drive to it, format 1TB drive, and copy files back to 1TB drive if desired.

If the 1TB is faster, copy all relevant data files to the 500GB drive, format, install fresh Windows 7, and copy files back to 1TB if desired.

It is definitely not ideal to run RAID when on two hard drives that are not the same size.

Since the new drive is only 500GB, I'm going to assume you have less than 500GB data on the old drive.

If you want to reinstall (and like InvisibleSoul mentioned, you don't necessarily have to - there's ways to just change the key), Windows has a Windows Easy Transfer application. (it's in Accessories -> System Tools) This would be useful if you store your data in the default Windows locations as that's where it pulls it's data from. If you don't, those folders would have to move over manually.

If you used a WAT crack, you'll have to reinstall anyway... or depending on the version of W7 (Basic, Premium, etc.) it may not accept the key from a different version.

I have like 7xx Gigs of stuff on this HD :lol
Mainly Music/Movies/Shows. 200+Gigs alone is just Music :fullofwin:

Turns out the 500gb WD Caviar Blue only has 16mb of Cache.
The 1TB is a SATA2 Seagate Barracuda with 32mb of Cache.

I was thinking about getting this since most people recommend using this as a boot disk.
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=50895&...20Digital%20WD

But it's SATA3 vs SATA 2... would this make a difference?

SATA3 means you can transfer files up to 6gb/s instead of 3gb/s, depends on if your motherboard can support that though.

You've got a 1TB HDD already and you're just "upgrading" your storage devices right? Keep your 1TB and clean out some files (or keep the 500GB they're only like $40 anyways).

I'd pass on the WD Black 1TB (given it is a good HDD) to install your OS on, instead just get an SSD (will be about the same price as that WD Black) and it will make a MUCH larger difference in OS application load times than the WD Black.

eg. http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...y&promoid=1317

or

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...n&promoid=1317

The second thing you want to keep in mind is your OS drive will slow down as you put more things on it, so using a 1TB OS drive + storage will reduce performance ;)

Most mechanical drives (i.e. your regular disk based) hard drives can barely saturate a 1.5Gb/s connection (1st gen SATA) so to be honest, I don't think SATA2 or SATA3 will really play into the equation too much. Probably the only reason would be to future-proof yourself, but then again, when SATA3 becomes mainstream, you'd probably be looking at another drive anyways. If it's the same price as a SATA2, sure go for it but I sure wouldn't pay a premium for it.

Get an SSD for a boot disk.

I did some reading, and it seems like the 50gb, and the 64 would be a little too small?

Windows 7 takes like 20+
and I'm gonna have:
- MSE (AV)
- Skype, MSN, Chrome, Word
- SC2
- BFBC2/Vietnam, + BF3 when it comes out.
- Maybe COD/L4D/TF2, but these aren't as important. Not to mention a bunch of other games.

SC2/BFBC2/BF3 are about 15 Gigs each.. that's 45 Gigs. I'll probably move BC2 and only have SC2/BF3 on it afterwards.. but just to be safe, 64Gigs seems a bit small.

Should I go for a 120gig?
+ run 2 1TB's in Raid? I found a friend who's willing to take the 500gb off my hands, so I can get a 1tb for a little more.

You could also RAID0 a few of the 50GB SSD's. That will give you a bit more speed at the expense of losing TRIM.

When you say you want to go with RAID, what are you looking for? Speed or redundancy?

If you're considering a 50 or 64GB SSD, and you plan on installing that many games, you'll be hardpressed to fit all the games in + files.

what MAY help is moving the user files off the SSD and onto one of your 1TB's.

something like this tutorial: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/66...m-files-normal

...and a bunch of cash!