win 7,ssd's and storage

bigjimmyauk

bigjimmyauk

bigjimmyauk

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thinking of getting a SSD for my OS instead of another 5770.

i mainly want it to increase boot up times and for my 3 main programs i use especially photo shop.

If i get a SSD and install my os is there anyway to set it so windows will automatically use my HDD to store things instead of the SSD example if i install a new game i want windows to automatically associate it with the HDD and not the SSD i know you can do it manually by altering the file path but thats not what i'm after.

also what size SSD would you reccomend for win 7 64 bit plus photo shop and a couple of other small proggys?
 
I am in the same situation myself,I was about to do a fresh install so that when asked were to install C .. I guess i could put it on D?? However not to sure if this is normal procedure,
 
http://www.intowindows.com/change-default-installation-directory-in-windows-7-vista/




1. Type “regedit” in start menu search box or in Run dialog box and hit enter to continue.


2. Navigate to the following registry key in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion


3. Locate the value named “ProgramFilesDir” and change the default value “C:\Program Files” to your new directory path(address).


4. Close the registry editor and reboot your system to apply the change.
 
You can also use directory symbolic links.

They basically put a fake folder in the place where it is normally supposed to be (eg program files in the C drive) and then when a program makes a demand of that fake folder it is automatically rerouted through to a specified location (eg a 'program files' folder on a different partition.

I have used them to move my 'documents' folder on to a separate partition from my win7 install.
 
eddyc said:
You can also use directory symbolic links.

They basically put a fake folder in the place where it is normally supposed to be (eg program files in the C drive) and then when a program makes a demand of that fake folder it is automatically rerouted through to a specified location (eg a 'program files' folder on a different partition.

I have used them to move my 'documents' folder on to a separate partition from my win7 install.
Click to expand...

1- That probably won't fix his problem if he still has his main apps in Program Files
2- Symolic links/NTFS hard links are not necessary for moving 'My Documents' in Windows 7. If you right-click on the directory under the Libraries listing in the left pane there is an option for 'Move' that will also take care of moving files for you.

The best way is probably to install your main apps and then make the registry change outlined above. Personally I wouldn't bother though, most software is of negligable size even compared to an SSD and the apps that are big are often the ones that you would benefit most from speeding up. I do it on a case by case basis and you can always use an NTFS Hard Link to move it to another drive later.

NTFS links are especially useful for Steam, since you install everything to D: and can then move a game to C: using a link if you know you'll be playing it loads.

Use this GUI app for creating NTFS links.
 
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Surely you'd be better off with all games and programs going onto the SSD? Seems daft to buy one for the point of speeding up loading times, then just install the software on the HDD anyway?
 
I think it would be possible using symbolic links on a case by case basis but might well not be the best option. I was just offering another possibility.

I have no experience of using the regedit option. Good luck. :p
 
Blimey, your OS and software adds up to over 500gb? Mine is around 60gb! I could understand putting all your docs on a HDD, but surely you're just shooting yourself in the foot by loading everything from an HDD anyway?
 
Muel said:
Blimey, your OS and software adds up to over 500gb? Mine is around 60gb! I could understand putting all your docs on a HDD, but surely you're just shooting yourself in the foot by loading everything from an HDD anyway?
Click to expand...
I over-exagerated somewhat :) 250 Gb would be more accurate. And I could afford it if I really wanted it.

I do software development which requires lots of apps and tools but the main culprit is games, particularly Steam. Un-installing/reinstalling is a pain due to downloading multiple GBs and/or manually patching to make them work properly.

I've got a 64GB Crucial M225 and I can fit quite a lot on there, but without an additional HDD it would be a real PITA. And tbh you don't notice much speed difference in most games.
 
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bigjimmyauk said:
i mainly want it to increase boot up times...
Click to expand...

I've got an old laptop HDD somewhere that'll do that nicely. Yours for free. :D



I'd leave the default "Program Files" destination on the C: drive as standard. If faster boot times are your aim, then you need to put any programs that fire up with Windows on the SSD. It's one thing to boot into Windows but if you then have to hang around while your anti-virus chugs into life from the HDD, you're still going to be waiting for a usable desktop.

Most applications that I've come across give you a choice of installation destination if you choose a "custom" install. I made a folder called "Program Files" on the second drive where I can direct custom installations to. Works fine, you just need to concentrate a bit more during the program installation process.

It makes sense to keep most data on the HDD and it's fairly easy to move the "My Documents"; "My Pictures"; "My Music"; etc, folders across to the other drive.
 
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