SSD install advice..

Soldato
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I'm planning on purchasing a 80gb intel mainstream SSD when they cone back in stock :) Im also going to get myself a copy of 7 Home Premium too.

I've read a a few threads in here about installing a SSD in a specical mode to improve performance.. ACHI mode..

How would I go about doing this?? Will the 7 installation prompt me to choose a driver?
 
Not really a 'special' mode. It's the recommended mode for SATA drives. You set this in the BIOS. Most default to AHCI but some may be configured to use IDE mode. If so simply change the setting in BIOS and you're done!

You don't need a driver when installing Windows, unless you plan to use multiple drives in RAID.

Once Windows is installed you have the choice of continuing to use the default MS drivers, or you can install Intel's own drivers (Matrix Storage Manager or the newer Rapid Storage Technology software). Assuming of course your mobo has an Intel chipset. AMD will have their own drivers. The Intel drivers will improve performance slightly but you would lose automatic TRIM. You can however run the TRIM command manually or on a schedule using Intel's SSD Toolbox. You can get the controller drivers and toolbox from Intel's website.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=15251&lang=eng

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455&lang=eng

You may need to update to the latest firmware also for TRIM support.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18363&lang=eng
 
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i already have xp pro sp3 installed on my SSD but when i turn it to achi mode in bios all i get is blue screen of death when the window loading bar comes up ive tried to install again using my xp disc but again once its read the disc it blue screens me?

is xp compatable in achi mode?
 
i already have xp pro sp3 installed on my SSD but when i turn it to achi mode in bios all i get is blue screen of death when the window loading bar comes up ive tried to install again using my xp disc but again once its read the disc it blue screens me?

is xp compatable in achi mode?

You can't simply switch between AHCI and IDE in the BIOS once windows is installed - as I found out!!
You need to do this before installation or change settings in regedit, as outlined here:
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?63273-*-Windows-7-Ultimate-Tweaks-Utilities-*
 
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