First SSD!

[Denithor]

Ordered an Intel 320 120GB from Newegg for $120AR yesterday. Also got 8GB of DDR3 for $30 and a copy of Win7 64 OEM for $80. Going to be a nice upgrade to my HTPC box I think.

I currently have XP SP3 on a 1.5TB HDD in that box. Can I install Win7 on the SSD and leave XP intact on the HDD? Also, can I point the My Documents/My Music/etc from the Win7 install to the HDD? Would like to share the same folders between both installs so it doesn't matter which loads, I have all my files there in easy reach.

 

[dmoney1980]

Congrats on the purchase! Below is what I found on the information super highway.

How To Remap My Documents Folder In Windows 7
Under New Profile
1) Right‐click on the desktop and go to “Personalize”
2) On the Left‐Hand side click on “Change Desktop Icons”
3) Put a check mark in the box beside “User’s Files”
4) Click “Apply” and “Ok” and close any windows that remain open
5) Double‐click on “My Computer” and go to the following path. C:\users\username\
(Where username is the user that you are currently logged in as).
6) Right‐Click on “My Documents” and go to “Properties”.
7) Click on the “Location Tab” then click on the “Move Button” and choose the new path
for the “My Documents” Folder. Then click “Select Folder”
8) Now click “Apply” and you will be prompted with the following message. (Do you want
to move all of the files from the old location to the new location? (Old Location
C:\users\username\Documents, New Location XYZ:\....\My Documents. (We
recommend moving all of the files so that programs needing to access the folders
content can do so))). Click “No” and then “Ok” and close all open windows.
9) Now Double‐Click on the “User’s Files” folder on the desktop.
10) You will now see two “My Documents” folders, and you will need to figure out which
one is to the new path you just created (Should be the one on the left).
11) Right‐Click on that one and go to “Send to” the “Desktop (Create Shortcut)”, and close
all open windows.
12) Now right‐click on the desktop and go to “Personalize”
13) On the left‐hand side click on “Change Desktop Icons”
14) Remove the check mark in the box beside “User’s Files”
15) Click “Apply” and “Ok” and close any open windows.

 

[Termie]

You can certainly remap My Documents to the storage drive - I didn't realize it took so many steps, but it's been a while since I tried it...

Now, as to your other question - keeping Windows XP and W7. I tried that (keeping my Vista boot drive installed while doing a fresh install of W7 on my SSD), and the system would not boot. It was as if the BIOS was detecting two incompatible boot sequences and didn't know which one to choose. This was despite designating the SSD as the boot drive. I wasn't able to boot the system until I wiped the Vista system folder from the hard drive. The system (my HTPC) has been working beautifully every since.

In another older system in which I installed an SSD, I tried to do an "upgrade" while keeping the Vista disk intact - this is an installation option provided by Win7. That worked, but it means a OS selection screen pops up every time the system boots, and the overall boot sequence is sometimes unusually long - much longer than it takes to just select your OS.

So, overall...unless you have a strong desire to run WinXP, I'd wipe that off of your hard drive.

 

[tweakboy]

Congrats my friend. Ya def intsall Win 7 on it and things will fly. You can install apps there too,, but not games,, well actually just your favorite games install into SSD.. 120GB is more then you think. but I mean videos ,, it doesnt matter of you have a IDE or a SSD , since it goes into memory instantly,, soo put movie files on a hard drive,,, anyhow,, gl


Update the firmware on it ASAP!!!

 

[ed29a]

Update the firmware on it ASAP!!!

Stop taking advice form this guy. I don't know why mods let him continually post utter rubbish and giving very bad advice about pretty much everything.

Anyways, only update firmware if there is a major bug fix that you absolutely need, because as always, firmware updates can mess up the SSD too (very low probability but they can). Example of needed fixes:
- Sandforce II BSOD fix.
- Intel 8MB shrink fix.
- Crucial m4 firmware 09 (10-20% speed gain).

Check version of firmware on SSD first, pretty sure it has the Intel fix on it. My Crucial m4 bought 2 weeks after firmware 09 release day already had the newest firmware. Firmware updates should be done if needed, not for sh*ts and giggles like tweakboy pretends.

My Vertex 2 is on stock firmware (1.27 if I recall right), 320 also (never put machine to sleep so Intel fix is irrelevant for me), m4 (I would have flashed it if it were not 09 already) as well and my 311s as well.

Again, ignore everything tweakboy says.

 

[Remobz]

Congrats on the purchase! Below is what I found on the information super highway.

How To Remap My Documents Folder In Windows 7
Under New Profile
1) Right‐click on the desktop and go to “Personalize”
2) On the Left‐Hand side click on “Change Desktop Icons”
3) Put a check mark in the box beside “User’s Files”
4) Click “Apply” and “Ok” and close any windows that remain open
5) Double‐click on “My Computer” and go to the following path. C:\users\username\
(Where username is the user that you are currently logged in as).
6) Right‐Click on “My Documents” and go to “Properties”.
7) Click on the “Location Tab” then click on the “Move Button” and choose the new path
for the “My Documents” Folder. Then click “Select Folder”
8) Now click “Apply” and you will be prompted with the following message. (Do you want
to move all of the files from the old location to the new location? (Old Location
C:\users\username\Documents, New Location XYZ:\....\My Documents. (We
recommend moving all of the files so that programs needing to access the folders
content can do so))). Click “No” and then “Ok” and close all open windows.
9) Now Double‐Click on the “User’s Files” folder on the desktop.
10) You will now see two “My Documents” folders, and you will need to figure out which
one is to the new path you just created (Should be the one on the left).
11) Right‐Click on that one and go to “Send to” the “Desktop (Create Shortcut)”, and close
all open windows.
12) Now right‐click on the desktop and go to “Personalize”
13) On the left‐hand side click on “Change Desktop Icons”
14) Remove the check mark in the box beside “User’s Files”
15) Click “Apply” and “Ok” and close any open windows.

Thanks for this.............

 

[exdeath]

Put everything on the SSD and use the filthy HDD for backup only.

 

[GoStumpy]

Put everything on the SSD and use the filthy HDD for backup only.

:biggrin: Was wondering when you'd show up! :ninja:

 

[Coup27]

Congrats my friend. Ya def intsall Win 7 on it and things will fly. You can install apps there too,, but not games,, well actually just your favorite games install into SSD.. 120GB is more then you think. but I mean videos ,, it doesnt matter of you have a IDE or a SSD , since it goes into memory instantly,, soo put movie files on a hard drive,,, anyhow,, gl

71 words and nothing of any sense. This is supposed to be a technical forum where people with experience help the people who need assistance. You are neither. I know what I want to end my post with but I think a mod would edit it.

That aside, Intel did fix a serious firmware bug recently in the 320 so make sure you update to that. It may tell you on the box sticker what firmware it ships with. If it doesnt, I'm afriad there is no way of knowing until you install Windows onto it. If you have a CD-RW or dont mind wasting one, you could burn the firmware updater and run it before you install Windows.

The SSD checklist:

Make sure BIOS is in AHCI mode before installing

Make your partition table in the Windows installer to ensure it aligns your partition how the SSDs like them

Once in Windows, disable defrag, prefetch, superfetch and get the latest Chipset and RST drivers from Intel. Intel SSD Toolbox is optional as TRIM should be native, although I personally manually TRIM once a week via it.

 

[john3850]

Put everything on the SSD and use the filthy HDD for backup only.

It seems like a waste of a ssd not to put everything on it.
I set up my first ssd with win 7 and office which took up 20gb of space.
On my next ssd 64GB I put everything on that small drive.
Next I will get 120GB ssd just for games once you use ssd on games it is hard to go back to the spindle drives.

 

[exdeath]

The only thing spindle drives are really acceptable for is backup/archiving and read only media streaming where random isn't a factor and the paltry sequential can actually keep up because it isn't real time.

 

[Charlie98]

Anyways, only update firmware if there is a major bug fix that you absolutely need, because as always, firmware updates can mess up the SSD too (very low probability but they can). Example of needed fixes:
- Sandforce II BSOD fix.
- Intel 8MB shrink fix.
- Crucial m4 firmware 09 (10-20% speed gain).

Check version of firmware on SSD first, pretty sure it has the Intel fix on it. My Crucial m4 bought 2 weeks after firmware 09 release day already had the newest firmware. Firmware updates should be done if needed, not for sh*ts and giggles like tweakboy pretends.

My Vertex 2 is on stock firmware (1.27 if I recall right), 320 also (never put machine to sleep so Intel fix is irrelevant for me), m4 (I would have flashed it if it were not 09 already) as well and my 311s as well.

Aren't there some issues with the Agility 3 SSD? I have one I'll be installing next week and was wondering about that...

 

[Denithor]

The only thing spindle drives are really acceptable for is backup/archiving and read only media streaming where random isn't a factor and the paltry sequential can actually keep up because it isn't real time.

Yeah, well, some of us can only afford 120GB SSDs...not exactly enough room for everything on a drive this size.

Anyway, yeah, the 320 series drives were the ones with the 8MB issue so I'll probably run the firmware updater before I do anything else, that way if it bricks I know up front instead of after loading/activating Windows and everything.

Thanks for all the comments, guys, it's appreciated!

Now if only Newegg had shipped my stuff on Monday (when ordered) or even Tuesday I'd be much happier...hopefully everything will come in before this weekend!

 

[ccbadd]

Aren't there some issues with the Agility 3 SSD? I have one I'll be installing next week and was wondering about that...

I installed one at home the day after the 2.15 fw update was released and have had no issues. Running Win 7 x64. I think the bulk of the Sandforce issues were solved then as pretty much every other manufacturer that used the 2281 controller also updated their fw's around the same time and rumbling seems to have died out.

 

[exdeath]

Yeah, well, some of us can only afford 120GB SSDs...not exactly enough room for everything on a drive this size.

Not directed at anyone in particular, just my observation and opinion and rant on SSDs and "zomg too small":

Personally I don't see why space is ever a factor unless people are just naturally hoarders IRL and it extends to digital hoarding. eg: have to save a permanent copy of everything they've ever seen on the internet, have "hey sup dude" email dating back to 1994 because they don't know where the delete key is, or have to have every game since 1980 installed at the same time when some of them haven't ever been launched since being beaten once. Just in case you know. And there are the people that have "copy of copy of copy of copy of unused desktop stuff" because they have so much shit they can't sort through it in one life time so they are too paranoid to delete anything even though they have no idea what's in there... some people it's like they are affraid of deleting their life if they use the delete key once in a while.

Even at the peak of my PC gaming days with WoW:WotLK and several other 5 to 10 GB games, I've barely crept over 100 GB. I've gone between Cheetahs and Raptors since their first generations long before SSDs were viable, so it's natural for me to optimize having 10% of the storage space as everyone else, but then again I'm not concerned with having the biggest file share or MP3 collection at every LAN party either. I just want my shit FAST, to be able to respond in real time as fast as I can enter commands.

I am a anti clutter clean freak though IRL, and like my house with it's bare painted walls and lack of shelves filled with useless figurines and crap, I throw away, donate, or delete things that aren't immediately vital to me. I have an SSD array only for speed, and while I have almost 1 TB of space, I'm not even sitting at 100 GB used.

Then there are people I know with shelves full of 1+ TB externals with god knows what on them... stuff that you could probably just download again in 30 minutes if you really needed it, who scoff at 240 GB SSDs being too small and torture themselves with needing 30 minutes to watch progress bars to install a simple bloated application on their 1950s magnetic data storage device.

Media server or NAS backup I can understand large capacity and less concern for speed, or things like VM farms or DBs in an enterprise. But seriously what are people needing 1+TB C: drives for other than pirating movies 24/7? My 500 GB backup/archive external is barely half full. I'd just rather spend $16 on a Blu Ray at WalMart than limit myself to archaic storage devices because I need a minimum of 10343434 PB of space.

 

[Denithor]

Nice rant!

I'm planning to keep all programs (games included) on my SSD, only mp3/DVD/etc will go on 'archaic' storage as you so aptly called it. I just don't see the point to keeping My Documents & etc on the SSD, all the junk that gets downloaded and used once or twice should go in cold storage not take up valuable speedy space. Thus the original question.

 

[ed29a]

full of 1+ TB externals with god knows what on them...

That's easy: porn!

 

[Denithor]

Woohoo!

Up and running and let me tell you, now I know what all the fuss around SSDs is about!! This thing flies! So much faster than my 1.5TB Hitachi. I cold boot in about 20-25 seconds now versus well over a minute on the HDD.

Also, some updates, if anyone is interested:

I was able to keep XP intact on the old HDD without doing anything. Just physically installed SSD, set SATA to AHCI in the BIOS, booted with Win7 disc in drive and like 20 minutes later Win7 up and running. To switch back to an XP boot, go into BIOS, switch SATA back to SATA mode, select HDD as first boot drive and XP comes back up with no issues.

Also successfully remapped My Documents/My Music/etc to the old folders on the HDD, everything connected perfectly and all links now go to HDD (and new downloaded stuff shows up there). And when I boot up into XP (which I honestly probably won't do much of, but anyway...) everything new I've done/downloaded will be available there in the standard folders. Good stuff!!

 

[GoStumpy]

Good to hear! I absolutely LOVE my SSD!

One thing I'm wondering, what are the optimizations that 'should' be done after installing SSD? I'm thinking sleep mode, hibernation, things like that... I've heard there are optimal settings to prolong life? (Not that I'm one to think it'll die in 3 years, but everything helps)

 

[Termie]

Woohoo!

Up and running and let me tell you, now I know what all the fuss around SSDs is about!! This thing flies! So much faster than my 1.5TB Hitachi. I cold boot in about 20-25 seconds now versus well over a minute on the HDD.

Also, some updates, if anyone is interested:

I was able to keep XP intact on the old HDD without doing anything. Just physically installed SSD, set SATA to AHCI in the BIOS, booted with Win7 disc in drive and like 20 minutes later Win7 up and running. To switch back to an XP boot, go into BIOS, switch SATA back to IDE mode, select HDD as first boot drive and XP comes back up with no issues.

Also successfully remapped My Documents/My Music/etc to the old folders on the HDD, everything connected perfectly and all links now go to HDD (and new downloaded stuff shows up there). And when I boot up into XP (which I honestly probably won't do much of, but anyway...) everything new I've done/downloaded will be available there in the standard folders. Good stuff!!

Congrats! See, once you go SSD, you will never go back!

In terms of your dual boot setup, one thing you did was different from what I did. I had my old spinner on AHCI, which perhaps meant that the OS on it could be seen by the bootloader, whereas you have your two boot drives on different protocols.

Also, I've bolded one correction to what you wrote above - the two protocols AHCI and IDE.

Good to hear! I absolutely LOVE my SSD!

One thing I'm wondering, what are the optimizations that 'should' be done after installing SSD? I'm thinking sleep mode, hibernation, things like that... I've heard there are optimal settings to prolong life? (Not that I'm one to think it'll die in 3 years, but everything helps)

Here's what I did:

(1) turn off defragmentation
(2) shutoff hibernation and remove hibernation partition. This saves a ton of space, and since cold boot is about as fast a wake from hibernation, you really don't need the latter.
(3) consider shrinking the page file. By default, W7 will create a page file that is at least as large as your ram size. That could be a ton of space. Also, some believe that constant writes to the pagefile will decrease the lifespan of an SSD. I initially had it shut off (0MB), but I was running into out of memory errors in several programs (BF3 and photo editing software), so now I run with a 512MB file.

Everything you need to know is contained in this article, including instructions on disabling the features above: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-performance-tweak,2911.html. Note that Intel's SSD Toolbox will actually make some of these changes for you, so if you don't already have it, you should download it.

 

[Denithor]

Actually in my BIOS is says 'SATA Mode' not 'IDE Mode' but who's counting?

And happy to report, after grabbing the Intel SSD Toolbox my drive came with the most recent firmware available - the one that fixed the 8MB drive capacity issue.

Disabled hibernate & set sleep to never. I usually just turn off my pc when not using it, for sure now because of how freaking fast it boots up now, no reason to leave it on!

Haven't messed with the page file yet, might do that if I run into space concerns but as of right now I still have nearly 94GB free space after installing OS and most of the programs I use.

Did I mention how fast this thing is?!? Wow!!!

 

[sequoia464]

Disabled hibernate & set sleep to never.

I'm wondering if this is necessary.

When I was using Sandforce drives I did this - right now I'm using three sets of raid0 drives - M4's, X25's and Kingston V100+'s. No problems with sleep or hibernation.

Can someone comment on this

 

[Migelo]

This is to save space.

When you put your PC to hibernation, it stores your current session to the disk (hiberfil.sys in your C: drive, you must disable "Hide protected OS files" in Folder options under View). The files is in size of your RAM and is there unless you disable hibernate.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[Termie]

Actually in my BIOS is says 'SATA Mode' not 'IDE Mode' but who's counting?

And happy to report, after grabbing the Intel SSD Toolbox my drive came with the most recent firmware available - the one that fixed the 8MB drive capacity issue.

Disabled hibernate & set sleep to never. I usually just turn off my pc when not using it, for sure now because of how freaking fast it boots up now, no reason to leave it on!

Haven't messed with the page file yet, might do that if I run into space concerns but as of right now I still have nearly 94GB free space after installing OS and most of the programs I use.

Did I mention how fast this thing is?!? Wow!!!

I'm wondering if this is necessary.

When I was using Sandforce drives I did this - right now I'm using three sets of raid0 drives - M4's, X25's and Kingston V100+'s. No problems with sleep or hibernation.

Can someone comment on this

Yeah, I don't think you need to disable sleep. I have that running on my Intel drive. That doesn't actually use the SSD in any significant way. Hibernate is completely different.

Also, there were problems with sleep on the Sandforce Gen 1 drives. I have it shut off on my Agility 2, although I didn't personally have problems with it.

 

[sequoia464]

This is to save space.

When you put your PC to hibernation, it stores your current session to the disk (hiberfil.sys in your C: drive, you must disable "Hide protected OS files" in Folder options under View). The files is in size of your RAM and is there unless you disable hibernate.

Hope that answers your question.

Thanks Migelo and Termie - I will make those changes - thought it was just a sandforce issue.