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Things to do before installing SSD?

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  • SSD
  • Storage
Last response: in Storage
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August 10, 2014 4:50:53 AM

Hello! I'll be getting the Samsung 840 EVO 1TB SSD very soon and I'd like to make sure I install it correctly on my desktop. I'm planning on putting the OS and all my games on it. Now the problem with installing is I'm not really a genius when it comes to things like this. I'm currently using a 1TB HDD and my OS is installed on it. I've read that you can just transfer it or something but that the SSD will not be taken advantage of completely so I've decided to do a clean install. Now how exactly do I go on about doing this though? Can anyone tell me step-by-step what to do? I would really appreciate it!

Motherboard (If neccessary): Asrock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3
OS: Windows 7 (Btw, I have the code for Windows 7, can I use it again upon installing it?)

More about : things installing ssd

a b G Storage
August 10, 2014 12:20:14 PM

If you want to do a clean install, follow this guide. Be sure to click open the links as you go for the situation that covers your installation:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-inst...

If you want to migrate your HDD to the new SSD, I found this guide is spot on and works the best:
http://www.howtogeek.com/97242/how-to-migrate-windows-7...
You will need a disk cloning app. I use the free version of this tool for cloning disks:
http://www.easeus.com/backup-software/
Related resources
a b G Storage
August 11, 2014 2:52:51 PM

JohnMartin7 said:
Thanks for the reply! What do you think about Samsungs own install guide? It's like an online manual. It shows migrating and you can find clean install if you scroll down. Would I be fine if I followed that?

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/mi...


That looks like a good guide. I have not used it, but after browsing thru it, it looks pretty straight forward. Yes, go ahead and follow it.

Cloning:
When the Samsung cloning (data migration) and optimization is finished, you may want to check the points in the how-to guide I linked to, to verify those steps were done. The whole point about "optimizing", is to make some subtle changes in Windows to let the OS know that the boot drive (C:)  is now a SSD instead of a HDD. A few parameters need to be changed to assure that the SSD doesn't write itself to an early death. I assume that is what the Samsung optimization does automatically.

Clean Install:
Windows will take care of most optimization on its own. But check against the above link to be sure.
August 11, 2014 5:52:07 PM

clutchc said:
JohnMartin7 said:
Thanks for the reply! What do you think about Samsungs own install guide? It's like an online manual. It shows migrating and you can find clean install if you scroll down. Would I be fine if I followed that?

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/mi...


That looks like a good guide. I have not used it, but after browsing thru it, it looks pretty straight forward. Yes, go ahead and follow it.

Cloning:
When the Samsung cloning (data migration) and optimization is finished, you may want to check the points in the how-to guide I linked to, to verify those steps were done. The whole point about "optimizing", is to make some subtle changes in Windows to let the OS know that the boot drive (C:)  is now a SSD instead of a HDD. A few parameters need to be changed to assure that the SSD doesn't write itself to an early death. I assume that is what the Samsung optimization does automatically.

Clean Install:
Windows will take care of most optimization on its own. But check against the above link to be sure.


Thank you for your help! :) 

Quick question: The guide didn't mention anything about boot order or doing anything else in the bios except setting the mode to AHCI, do I need to do anything additional or is that really it?

Also: I just booted into my bios right now and saw 2 things. First option was ASMedia Sata 3 mode and second option was Sata 3 Mode. Both had AHCI options, but Sata 3 mode had the raid option aswell. I'm using the ASRock Fatality z68 motherboard. I think I have to just change the part where it says Sata 3 mode (which has the raid option aswell) and leave the other one alone but I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.
a c 313 G Storage
August 11, 2014 7:02:20 PM

While you are in the motherboard's system BIOS be sure to select the ssd as the primary boot drive.

Samsung has tried to make ssd installation as painless as possible. Their SSD magician can make adjustments for you. After installing Microsoft Windows go ahead an install the SSD Magician. The Magician can check and automatically correct BIOS settings. It can also check and optimize Windows. You'll also be able to select several ssd performance modes and do some advanced custom settings if you wish.

You have an older Intel Socket LG155 Z68 Motherboard. You'll want to use the Intel SATA 3 option instead of ASMedia. There should be two SATA3 headers/connectors on the motherboard for Intel. They might be a different color than the other headers/connectors. Check the motherboard manual. You'll also want to download and install the latest Intel Chipset and driver updates. You can find them at either the ASRock or Intel web sites. I prefer to download them from the Intel site.
a b G Storage
August 11, 2014 7:07:07 PM

That board has 10 SATA headers; the black ones are SATA II off the Z68 chip. The 2 red ones closest to the black ones are SATA III and also run off the Z68 chip. Those are the ones you want to connect the SSD to for best performance: SATA3 Connector (SATA3_0_1, Red)
The other 4 red headers are also SATA III but run off the less efficient Asmedia chip.


In BIOS (pg. 76) you will want to make sure those headers (SATA3_0_1, Red) are set ACHI for best performance. The other headers can also be set AHCI (or IDE) according to your preference.
August 11, 2014 7:20:05 PM

Thank you all for your replys, really appreciate the help!
August 12, 2014 6:28:41 PM

Just got my SSD and all hell broke loose upon installation. Long story short, I may have installed windows 7 in IDE mode and now cannot change into AHCI mode. Everytime I do, upon booting I get the BSOD and get stuck in a reboot loop. Any ideas? :/ 

Event:

Booted from windows 7 installation CD and installed windows 7 into SSD.
a b G Storage
August 12, 2014 6:37:22 PM

Just do it over... in ACHI mode.
August 12, 2014 6:42:30 PM

JohnMartin7 said:
Just got my SSD and all hell broke loose upon installation. Long story short, I may have installed windows 7 in IDE mode and now cannot change into AHCI mode. Everytime I do, upon booting I get the BSOD and get stuck in a reboot loop. Any ideas? :/ 

Event:

Booted from windows 7 installation CD and installed windows 7 into SSD.


Change back to IDE mode and boot to desktop. Then follow this guide, no reinstall required:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61869-ahci-enable-...
August 12, 2014 7:06:02 PM

Ah! That worked. Thank god!!!! Been stuck with this all day. Finally I can relax. Ty for the help :D 
August 12, 2014 7:10:32 PM

JohnMartin7 said:
Ah! That worked. Thank god!!!! Been stuck with this all day. Finally I can relax. Ty for the help :D 


Np. :) 
August 12, 2014 7:21:27 PM

I just checked my performance benchmark and here are the results, are they normal? Should I enable Rapid Mode?

Read: 551/540

Write: 515/520

Random Read (IOPS): 58273/98000

Random Write (IOPS): 54656/90000
August 12, 2014 7:48:06 PM

JohnMartin7 said:
I just checked my performance benchmark and here are the results, are they normal? Should I enable Rapid Mode?

Read: 551/540

Write: 515/520

Random Read (IOPS): 58273/98000

Random Write (IOPS): 54656/90000


Google benchmarks for your SSD and compare the averages to yours.
!