SSD preparation

Amraam

Amraam

Amraam

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Joined
5 Jan 2009
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Just about to install Win7 x64 on my new 60GB OCZ SSD. Is there anything I need to configure before installing windows? Does it need formatting in any particular way? I've read the defragging must be disabled on that drive, is that correct?

Thanks! :D
 
Disconnect all drives, connect SSD, power on, set drive to AHCI in BIOS, install windows, run WEI.

That will set everything up. You can then change user locations, disable hibernation etc, to save space.
 
Woops, WEI: Windows Experience Index lol. Why's it important to run that?

Is there a reason to disconnect all drives, or is it simply a precaution to stop me formatting the wrong drive by mistake?

ALso, my motherboard does not support AHCI. Will it be an issue?
 
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Your SSD will run just fine under IDE mode however you will need access to a machine with AHCI support if you want to update the firmware or secure erase the SSD.
 
Amraam said:
Woops, WEI: Windows Experience Index lol. Why's it important to run that?

Is there a reason to disconnect all drives, or is it simply a precaution to stop me formatting the wrong drive by mistake?

ALso, my motherboard does not support AHCI. Will it be an issue?
Click to expand...

I notice that you have installed your SSD.

Here are the answer to your question, just in case.

The reason is that Win 7 likes to install a partition onto 'raw' unformatted space by default, it will create a 100MB hidden System partition with Boot/Recovery files.

So best to have only your SSD connected so this hidden system partition will be installed onto your SSD.

If you have other drives connected sometimes this system partition will be installed onto them

Important note if you use image software to backup your drives, need to included both partitions.

No IDE is fine, your WEI score for drive will be lower (not important) but will work OK.

As for benchmarking your drive with software this should be used sparingly and only to check if all is working ok as these programmes will write a considerable amount of un-compressible data to your SSD. Particularly with Sandforce controller SSD because they encrypt and compress data "on-the-fly"

Have a read of the guide on setting up a SSD on the OCZ forum. Should answer all your question.

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/f...BC-for-OCZ-SSD&p=567557&viewfull=1#post567557

Simon
 
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Hiya! I just ordered a new system myself, including 2 SSD drives (one for OS, one for games). Now I went through the link provided in the above post, which is pretty awesome, but it left me with 1 question:

Simple Dont's:
Don't install your SSD in an overclocked rig.

One of the items I ordered is a pre-overclocked bundle (mobo, cpu, ram, cooler) - will that cause problems?
 
Cool, thanks for the reply. :)

Looking forward to installing everything and handling my first SSD drives, though that huge instructional page does make me sweat a bit :P.
 
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