Laptop with SSD

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Jaseow

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Hi so I recently thought of purchasing an SSD to add-on to my laptop (which already has a normal 750gb HDD). However when I opened the back I realised it already has a 64gb SSD on it.






What I want to know is how do I install certain programs on the SSD portion of my drive so that those programs load faster? Is there a way to control what programs installs on the HDD / SSD and runs from there?

I can see it in the Intel Rapid Storage technology Program:

zWX3JXIl.jpg


E.g I want to load my games on the SSD so it loads faster but keep other stuff like videos / pictures on the normal HDD
 
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I
I think what Rapid Drive did was to just use the 64 GB SSD as a cache, which means it's only there for temporary files to speed up the overall feeling for common applications.
If you try to separate them according to their instructions, you will be splitting the two drives so that one act as a normal HDD and the other act as a normal SSD.
That was my elaborated explanation on your second option.

1. In your case, right now you're also considering replacing the HDD with the new SSD, so here is the situation. If you do replace the HDD and make it external, your new SSD will be the main drive for all the programs and games, which 120 GB (I'm assuming that's how much you got) will be enough for a good amount of software. In addition to...
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IDontUnderstand

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The pre-installed SSD is a mSATA SSD, as you can tell it doesn't use normal SATA port. Are you able to see that SSD in My Computer? Do you see your Windows file being stored on your HDD? (like the Users, Windows, etc.)

You may still install that SSD that you've just purchased, and purchase an external enclosure such as this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145752 and then use the original 750 GB HDD as external HDD if you wish.
 
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Jaseow

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Hey there, thanks for your reply.

No I do not see the SSD as a seperate drive under My Computer. I think the manufacturers of the laptop included the mSata sdd as part of the normal HDD



when I go into disk management this is what shows up:

 
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Jaseow

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OK if I do that, is there a way to check if the mSata SSD will affect anything as I think its currently linked to the main 750gb HDD. I dont want to disconnect the 750GB HDD and end up having a system failure cos some data is loaded on the SSD which is a part of the HDD.

I dont mind installing an SSD and using the HDD as a backup drive or if possible even have it internally by removing the optical drive.

Need some advice please
 
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IDontUnderstand

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It looks to me that the mSATA SSD is being used for the OEM partition.
If I were you I would just
1. Back up all the important files onto an external device or cloud service
2. Do a Windows reset, which re-installs Windows
3. See if that mSATA drive appear as one of the drive
4. If so, format both drives and select the mSATA drive as primary drive
5. Install Windows
6. Turn off PC
7. Unplug the HDD
8. Put the new SSD inside, HDD into the enclosure
9. Go to Disk Management and format the SSD
10. Update Windows and get your programs/driver (depending on your laptop model, it might get a little confusing, I'll be glad to help if you need)

I hope I'm not missing any steps, and the above procedures should not affect the system at all, besides new storage option.

Optical to HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1PU0MP2269
(Never tried it, but it seems to work. However keep in mind that it only goes into 'standard' drive cage)
 
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Jaseow

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I found an old thread about my laptop and the SSD / HDD system.

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/IdeaPad-Y-U-V-Z-and-P-series/Ideapad-y570-RapidDrive-SSD-amp-HDD-Questions/td-p/577821

hopefully this will give you a better idea. All the links in that thread are now dead though so Im not exactly sure how to continue and there wasnt any conclusive evidence of anyone successfully seperating the SSD / HDD into 2 different drives.

Apparently disabling the rapid storage technology program might help? I dont want to jump into anything unless Im 100% sure its gonna work. I dont want to risk screwing up my system so im a bit apprehensive.
 
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Jaseow

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Yes I do. I have been installing all my programs into Program Files(x86) since I got the laptop and all of my applications are there. In fact the Program Files folder is only 4gb+ compared to the Program Files (x86) folder which is 85gb+
 
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Jaseow

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Ok so I tried removing the SSD and windows was not able to boot up. So I assume the OS is installed onto the SSD.

However because I cant see it as a physical drive in "My Computer" im assuming I wont be able to select what programs to put on the SSD so that it can load faster
 
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Jaseow

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That is indeed a very informative thread. So from what I understand, I have 2 choices now:

Leave it as it is where the SSD is kinda making the HDD run faster.

Or

Do what they suggest with the rapiddrive tool and seperate the SSD / HDD and do a clean install of the OS to the SSD, where ill have blazing fast boot times but the HDD will now run a lot slower.

Am I correct with what Im reading from that thread?
 
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IDontUnderstand

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I think what Rapid Drive did was to just use the 64 GB SSD as a cache, which means it's only there for temporary files to speed up the overall feeling for common applications.
If you try to separate them according to their instructions, you will be splitting the two drives so that one act as a normal HDD and the other act as a normal SSD.
That was my elaborated explanation on your second option.

1. In your case, right now you're also considering replacing the HDD with the new SSD, so here is the situation. If you do replace the HDD and make it external, your new SSD will be the main drive for all the programs and games, which 120 GB (I'm assuming that's how much you got) will be enough for a good amount of software. In addition to that, you will have your external HDD to hold on to your photos, videos, and other none everyday things. If that sounds like the ideal situation to you, then I think it'll be time for you to dive into the Rapid Drive Tool thing and figure out exactly how to 'unlock' the mSATA SSD.

2. If you decide to not install the new SSD, the mSATA drive will still be able to handle all your OS, most software, and maybe 1 game. However, that's if you want to go through the Rapid Drive Tool thing.

3. If you decide to not touch it at all, then it will be just like what you stated in your latest post, that everything will stay the same.

 
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Solution
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Jaseow

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Ok Ive managed to seperate the SSD and HDD after a while of playing around with rapid drive. My 64gb SSD now shows up as drive c:// and the HDD as drive d:/:

I have managed to reinstall windows 7 onto the SSD. However I do not notice any difference in boot / load times.

I reckon lenovo already did a very good job with their rapid drive technology.

End of the day after all the trouble and spending the whole afternoon re-installing drivers / applications etc. I feel that I should have just left it running as default.

Oh well at least I learnt something new about how disk management works.

Thanks to everyone who replied with helpful advice! It is greatly appreciated
 
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