Re-installing windows on SSD?!?

Noto · 24 Nov 2010 at 16:14

If i want to re-install windows on my SSD, i should just uninstall all programs on the SSD, and install windows in a different directory? theres no need to re-format or anything...

my windows is just playing up atm, sometimes the DVD-RW wont show up, sometimes it doesnt shutdown cleanly... not sure what i've done so i just want a fresh start.

Eddie · 24 Nov 2010 at 16:42

It's recommended that you Secure Erase your SSD prior to re-installing Windows.

Noto · 24 Nov 2010 at 18:51

shoot1st said:
It's recommended that you Secure Erase your SSD prior to re-installing Windows.

hi shoot1st, thx for fast reply!

i also read that with SSDs that have TRIM command its not necessary to wipe, all i have to do is remove partition and let windows make another one? is this true?

i should have mentioned in the orig post that i had a Intel drive with trim.

MeMeMeMe · 24 Nov 2010 at 20:48

shoot1st said:
It's recommended that you Secure Erase your SSD prior to re-installing Windows.

Why is this?

Noto · 24 Nov 2010 at 21:27

MeMeMeMe said:
Why is this?

from what i read it makes every block in the SSD, 'free' so in the future when you decide to write to the block its already 'free' and better performance. Not sure if we need to do this if we have TRIM enabled SSDs

SiriusB · 24 Nov 2010 at 22:20

The Intel SSD Toolbox will do this. You can set it to run on a schedule too.

Eddie · 25 Nov 2010 at 06:31

I forget (and cba to look it up atm

) the exact technical reasons why Secure Erasing is recommended but it is generally stated that it will reclaim the original performance of the drive (with regard to the Vertex2 drives that is, I'm not sure if things are done differently with Intel/other drives).

The general method they recommend for re-installing Windows is to Secure Erase the drive and then just to let Windows create its own partition.

Have a look in the Hard Drive forums here as most of this has been covered already. Also I'd maybe check out specific manufacturer support forums for the drive, see what the manufacturers themselves recommend.