Can I install Vista to a new SSD from my old HDD in an enclosure?

P

pxfragonard

New Member
Just for a lark, I'm thinking of upgrading. But I have no Vista OS except what came preinstalled with the machine, a Dell Dimension C521. I thought if I put a new SSD in the bay (with an adaptor), hooked it up, and put the old HDD in an enclosure, plugged it into a USB port and powered on the machine, the BIOS would allow Vista to be installed from the old drive.

Does this make any sense?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Dimension C521
    CPU
    AMD dual core
    Memory
    3GB
    Hard Drives
    500 gb
ilikefree

ilikefree

Vista Guru
Gold Member
If you did it that way you would need to go into the bios and tell the computer to boot from the usb
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
P

pxfragonard

New Member
Thanks! so I'd hit f2 or something to get there and set that instruction. Then turn the machine off then on with the old drive turned on. But would it take so I didn't have to start it that way every time? J mean would it install the OS? Then could I run a Macrium backup I made beforehand?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Dimension C521
    CPU
    AMD dual core
    Memory
    3GB
    Hard Drives
    500 gb
Barman58

Barman58

Staff member
Vista Guru
Gold Member
What you are suggesting is a good start - but hits one major obstacle... windows is specifically designed not to run from a USB attached drive.

What you could do is Migrate the system. (move the working system using special software), don't worry, it's quite simple, more so on a desktop than a laptop

Take a look at this video ...
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKIRvH7jwx8


I will advise to backup all your valuable content for safety (this type of transfer although very safe can very rarely cause corruption), and at a later time consider moving this to the old drive away from the operating system (or easier still delete the old version of the OS leaving the data in place. This would allow you to update your system without risking damage to your data

I would also suggest that you install the SSD into the first Drive connector on the motherboard after it's all installed as this will allow the system to be the default if something ever happens

There are many different software packages to perform the migration, take a look at Macrium Reflect, Aomei partition software, Minitool Partition Wizard, all of which are available in free versions that are good enough for this job
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64 1909 - 18363.488
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
  • Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" TV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
    NAS 4TB
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
    Cooling
    Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Internet Speed
    68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
    Other Info
    Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
ilikefree

ilikefree

Vista Guru
Gold Member
I used the free version of Macrium Reflect when I did mine about 2 years ago

Reflect Free Edition

Macrium Reflect Free allows you to back up your entire computer and schedule backups. For a free program, you get incredibly powerful software that allows you to create effective backups.
www.macrium.com www.macrium.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
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