A few questions for setting up my new SSD

Ok, I am going to re-install just to do it, so what should I adjust in bios for the AHCI?

Should I format first or just let the windows installer format as it re-installs?

It's not the .ISO that denotes an upgrade, it is the product key.

Here's a good number for Microsoft 800-426-9400

JohnnyScience said:

I downloaded the Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-59186.iso

I am going to start over & use my original Windows 7 64 Professional disc I received with the key code that I have & know is right.

That Digital River download (Pro x64 SP1 U) should certainly work with a valid Product Key for your original disc. The SP1 just has Service Pack 1 integrated. It's the most recent downloadable version, but accepts valid keys from earlier versions.

derekimo said:

It's not the .ISO that denotes an upgrade, it is the product key.

Here's a good number for Microsoft 800-426-9400

Cool thanks. Are they open on sundays?

I'm going to try the reinstall with my original cd now for the heck of it.

Installed fine and activated properly just like normal.

Must have been the wrong download. Should have just went with my original disc to start. Figured I'd get the most updated version by downloading a new copy.

I hope I didn't screw anything up on this SSD already.

Ok so now that I'm activated & starting to download updates, what next?

I'm going to install Magician & set it up for best performance.

What about this ACHI?

Were you offered a choice of AHCI during installation?

If not, wade through this tutorial:

AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista

Hmm, re-running Magician already shows that .04 bytes have been written to the disk, when I first installed it only showed .01 - not a huge difference but clearly this SSD is already a big screwy from this mess-up isn't it?

ignatzatsonic said:

Were you offered a choice of AHCI during installation?

If not, wade through this tutorial:

AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista

No I didn't see anything about AHCI mentioned, I don't even know what the heck it is lol

I'll do that walk-thru now. Adjusting these settings will just help the SSD run at maximum performance?

JohnnyScience said:

clearly this SSD is already a big screwy from this mess-up isn't it?

Not that I know of.

But if you are highly concerned, start over, use Diskpart, and wipe the SSD clean before you install Windows.

Hmm. I don't know what I want to do. I want it to be perfect. Can't believe it got messed up on the install. GRRR

I would run diskpart first inside of windows to format it & then restart with the win7 disc in the tray and do it all over again?

Is it bad to keep re-installing on an SSD like this one after another?