Windows 10: Partition table problem with Windows update

Ok, thanks for all the discussion ... not all of which I have completely absorbed yet. I'm still somewhat undecided since how to proceed with the W7 to W10 upgrade is more complicated than I first thought, not to mention the Simrick indicated that this upgrade path is often fraught with problems. If it was easy I would do it anyway, but it seems that it is not. If we decide to do a fresh install I was thinking it might make sense to buy another disk so that we would get a big boost in performance to justify our efforts. Perhaps something like the ADATA 240GB SATA ($58, plus some more for mounting tray and cable) or maybe something like the Seagate 1TB Desktop Solid State Hybrid Drive which would be about the same total cost. If that makes any sense, any opinions about which type of drive would be better?

If we plugged that into the same spot the old C drive was the new drive would become the C drive right? Then if I plugged the old C drive into another spot it would become the D drive?? (I've done this before but it has been so long I forgot how drive letters are assigned). Sorry, this may be the wrong forum for those questions I just realized.

~Paul

 

Only sometimes *Wink

If you're budget allows, then I would suggest investing in a SSD boot drive.

Hybrids give a bit of a boost over plain spinners

I have suggested this before to other members.

Replace the HDD, keep the old drive out of the system. The old drive becomes your backup.
The best install is with a base machine (one drive, mouse, keyboard, and monitor - that's all)

I'll bow out - you already have top notch members helping.

Bill
.

 

I second @Slartybart's recommendation. Just remember to have ONLY the one drive in the system when you clean install, otherwise you could run into problems with Windows putting some of the boot files on the other drive. And yes, that one drive will be C, and when you eventually connect the other for storage, it will be something else (IDK-maybe D will be your optical drive).

 

Under normal circumstances, the partition that contains the Windows installation that the computer loads gets the letter C:. It doesn't really matter which port it is plugged into on the motherboard. If you dual boot, the drive letters assigned to the partitions will change. Let's say you have Windows 7 on a HDD and Windows 10 on an SSD and have dual booting set up. When you boot into Windows 7, the HDD gets drive letter C:. The SSD would get D: or the next drive letter. When you boot into Windows 10, the SSD would get drive letter C: and the HDD would get D: or the next drive letter.

 

Ok ... I'm convinced. Fresh install win10 on a new SSD boot drive with old drive removed. What I suspect is my last question ... how to validate? Can I just use the key on the COA sticker glued to the desktop case ... or do I have to plug in the old drive and somehow extract the license from that?

~Paul

 

Either way should activate Windows 10.

 

The COA sticker should activate the system just fine.

 

Bowing back in for just a moment *Wink

Good question Paul - good answers Navy & simrick

The COA sticker will work as simrick stated
-- OR --
You can prepare before replacing the HDD as Navy stated
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums

bowing out again