AHCI and Installing SSD on Mirror RAID 1 Set Up

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  1. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    AHCI and Installing SSD on Mirror RAID 1 Set Up


    Hello
    Motherboard: Asus P7P55D-E Pro
    Windows 7 64bit
    4 Hard Drives, 1 is boot drive (C), 1 is non-RAID and 2 set up as RAID 1

    I am about to replace my Boot drive with a Crucial M550 SSD, by cloning the current drive to the SSD. This appeared a fairly straight forward procedure until reading of the problems associated with running in AHCI mode. I've seen the tutorial and the need to modify the registry to allow installation of AHCI drivers.

    Because I have RAID 1, the Intel P55 chipset SATA is set to RAID in the BIOS. I'm presuming that if I were to change to AHCI the RAID would be lost and the PC would likely not boot at all.

    If possible could you tell me the best procedure to follow to set up my SSD with my current set up. I'd prefer to avoid fresh re-install and clone if possible.

    Thanks for any help.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,872
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 8.1 Pro x64, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1,
       #2

    If you have RAID set up with the same controller that the SSD will use, the RAID drivers have the same functions as the AHCI drivers. You do not need to change to ACHI.

    Cloning or using an image of the operating system to the SSD should work just fine.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you pbcopter. That's what I was hoping to hear!

    Yes, there are 6 SATA III connectors on the Intel chip and the current HDD boot drive, the 2 RAID drives, and 2 optical drives occupy 5 of them. I will attach the SSD to the remaining connector, clone the boot drive to it, Then (?) connect the SSD (now with the OS on it) to the same comnnector the old boot drive was using...yeah?

    While I'm changing the boot drive to the new SSD is it wise to disconnect all other drives and reconnect when completed or is it OK to leave everything as it is?

    So setting the SATA to RAID in the BIOS provides the ideal settings for the SSD, including TRIM?
    If this is so (and I'm pleased it is) why would you need the IDE option in the BIOS, as you can set it as RAID without actually having a RAID array.

    Thanks again for your help. i really appreciate it!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Could I ask another question please?

    I understand that data on an SSD should only occupy a max of around 80% of available space to allow it to function more efficiently.

    Does this mean the partition created should be about 80% of available capacity, or should the partition fill the SSD, but only fill with data to 80% of it?

    Thanks
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,992
    10 Pro x64
       #5

    Magnet said:
    Could I ask another question please?

    I understand that data on an SSD should only occupy a max of around 80% of available space to allow it to function more efficiently.

    Does this mean the partition created should be about 80% of available capacity, or should the partition fill the SSD, but only fill with data to 80% of it?

    Thanks
    Fill SSD, keep data below 80%. If your cloning it it should show up in the end as your current with less free space if its' smaller than your spinner.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks a lot.....so fill SSD with partition, but only use 80% of it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,992
    10 Pro x64
       #7

    Magnet said:
    Thanks a lot.....so fill SSD with partition, but only use 80% of it.
    Just make it as big as it will go and try to keep 20% free space on it while in windows. What program are you cloning it with, it should end up like how my disk 0 is with full space after the boot partition used for the OS (it shows that one as 64% free atm).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails AHCI and Installing SSD on Mirror RAID 1 Set Up-disks.png  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I plan to clone with EaseUS. The SSD will have just one partition for Win 6 64bit and progs, but I'll set a partition size to take size of clone plus a bit, then expand to fill drive later.

    Should I be doing something to enable Trim?

    Also have seen info on Alignment and using a prog called Aomei Partition Assistant Home Edition to do this.

    Is this the right way to go?

    Thanks a lot
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,992
    10 Pro x64
       #9

    what your doing is fine the extending should be fine, TRIM should be automatic especially since your in RAID mode. Just use something like crystal disk info to see if it shows TRIM on it after all is said and done, you can also check with command prompt as well to have double assurance. TRIM Support for SSD - Check and Enable or Disable
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails AHCI and Installing SSD on Mirror RAID 1 Set Up-trim.png  
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    That's great. Thanks again...so helpful! Just realised that a prog I already have installed, Mini Tool Partition Wizard has an Partition Alignment option, so I'll use that. Sorry to be stupid, but I do all this following partition creation, but before any data is cloned to it?

    Final questions if I may? When I've cloned the SSD will it automatically become the C drive when I set as boot drive in BIOS. Should I disconnect the old C drive before booting with the SSD?

    Is it OK to leave other drives including RAID physically connected while I do this? All my data files have been backed up remotely.

    Thanks again for the help!
      My Computer


 
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