How to configure SSD and HDD ?

shurzota · 23 Jun 2011

Hi everyone,

How should I configure my Intel SSD and Western Digital HDD for better protection and performance?

I have the Intel SSD as a primary, system drive that has Windows 7 Pro and all my applications.

All my data are stored on the WD hard drive.

I made the partition image of the SSD by the Acronis True Image Home, so I can restore my OS and applications in any time. I turned off System Restore function for SSD.

My data are stored on the WD HDD. How to configure it for better protection and performance?

How to turn on Scheduled defragmentation for the WD HDD and turned off defragmentation for the SSD at the same time?

If I disable defragmentation from ‘Services’ > ‘Disk Defragmenter’ defragmentation will be turned off for both drives. But if I enable defragmentation from ‘Services’ > ‘Disk Defragmenter’ I cannot turn on Scheduled defragmentation only for the WD HDD.

Are these setups good enough for the HDD:

1. 1. System Restore: (D:) On; (E:) On – Only restore previous versions of files ? or

Restore system settings and previous versions of files?
2. 2. Write cashing: Enabled - ?
3. 3. Drive Indexing: Enabled - ?
4. 4. Superfetch: Enabled - ?
5. 5. Prefetch: Enabled -?
6. 6. Defragmentation: Enabled-?
7. 7. What else?
If I create 2 partitions ( for example D: and E: ) can I set up defragmentation for this drive?

Thank you.

Total · 23 Jun 2011

Go here and get the intel ssd tolbox - it adjust all the settings for you . :)

shurzota · 23 Jun 2011

Total said:

Go here and get the intel ssd tolbox - it adjust all the settings for you . :)

If you used an Intel SSD Toolbox you should know that it enables monitoring and managing of Intel SSD ONLY.

I'm asking about HDD setup with the setup for the SDD already complete.

I turned Off defragmentation for SSD but I cannot turn On defragmentetion for HDD to keep it in healthy condition.

Please, read my question.

BugMeister · 23 Jun 2011

Windows 7 automatically detects the SSD
- and doesn't apply the "usual" defrag procedures on it..

- it treats the HDD differently..

- as a general rule, I would consider moving certain library files off the SSD, and onto the HDD
- the MyMusic, Mydocs folders are good examples, as they tend to grow like crazy..
- you won't lose any performance and you'll save precious space on your SSD

PS: could you fill in some more detail on your system specs please, shurzota..
- it helps others to be more specific in offering appropriate advice,
- vis a vis, based on your system's hardware/software setup, etc..

ignatzatsonic · 24 Jun 2011

Why turn off system restore for the SSD? Set it to restore system settings and previous versions of files for the SSD only.

Defrag should be turned off automatically for the SSD during the install, but you can check it and set the defrag schedule for D and E by right clicking the drives in Explorer and going to the tools menu. Don't turn off defrag services.

Write caching should be enabled

Indexing probably should be left on for drives IF you use the Windows search tool

Most people have superfetch turned off. I think that is done automatically during the OS install ot the SSD?

There is not much to do for the HDD. Make sure it is backed up and that you have a good antivirus program. Let the Windows defrag automatically run once a week---that is the default.

shurzota · 24 Jun 2011

ignatzatsonic said:

Why turn off system restore for the SSD? Set it to restore system settings and previous versions of files for the SSD only.

Defrag should be turned off automatically for the SSD during the install, but you can check it and set the defrag schedule for D and E by right clicking the drives in Explorer and going to the tools menu. Don't turn off defrag services.

Write caching should be enabled

Indexing probably should be left on for drives IF you use the Windows search tool

Most people have superfetch turned off. I think that is done automatically during the OS install ot the SSD?

There is not much to do for the HDD. Make sure it is backed up and that you have a good antivirus program. Let the Windows defrag automatically run once a week---that is the default.

Hi ignatzatsonic,

I turned off system restore for the SSD because every six months I reinstall my system totally with Acronis True Image Home 2010. During this period of time any OS becomes “dirty” (registry, bat files and so on…). It takes less than an hour to get absolutely fresh system that you cannot get with the Restore points. I made a clean installation of all my programs after assembling the PC.

Let’s go to my problem.
I. Option. Startup type: Manual
a. Start>Computer>Manage>Computer Management>Services and Applications>Services>Disk Defragmenter>Properties>General tab>Startup type: Manual
b. Local Disk C: [SSD]>Properties>Tools tab>Defragment now…>Schedule: Scheduled defragmentation is turned off
c. New Volume D: [HDD]>Properties>Tools tab>Defragment now…>Turn on schedule…>Run on a schedule-check>Schedule: Scheduled defragmentation is turned on.
Let’s check setups for C:.
If I go back in Local Disk C: [SSD]>…> …defragmentation is turned ON ??? – I didn’t change it to ON.
Changing the defragmentation for D: changes the defragmentation for C: [SSD]

My question is how to make:
“Local Disk C: [SSD]>…> …defragmentation is turned OFF” and
“New Volume D: [HDD]>…> …defragmentation is turned ON ?

II. Option. Startup type: Disabled {If you used Intel SSD Toolbox or during the clean install of SSD}
Local Disk C: [SSD]>Properties>Tools tab>”Defragment now…” – button became inactive.
New Volume D: [HDD]>Properties>Tools tab>”Defragment now…” – button became inactive.
With “Startup type: Disabled” I don’t have permission to change the Defrag setup for any drive on the PC.

Thank you for the reply.

shurzota · 24 Jun 2011

BugMeister said:

Windows 7 automatically detects the SSD
- and doesn't apply the "usual" defrag procedures on it..

- it treats the HDD differently..

- as a general rule, I would consider moving certain library files off the SSD, and onto the HDD
- the MyMusic, Mydocs folders are good examples, as they tend to grow like crazy..
- you won't lose any performance and you'll save precious space on your SSD

PS: could you fill in some more detail on your system specs please, shurzota..
- it helps others to be more specific in offering appropriate advice,
- vis a vis, based on your system's hardware/software setup, etc..

Hi BugMeister,

I will move My Docs., Music,... folders. I found very useful tutorials regarding this matter on this forum.

my PC:

OS: Windows 7 Pro x64
Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium
CPU: i7-990X
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14
RAM: Corsair Dominator 12Gb
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 480
Storage, HDD: WD Caviar Black SATA 3Gb/s, 1 TB, 32MB cash,7200 RPM, (WD1001FALS)
Storage, SSD: Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC (34nm)

PSU: Corsair 1000HX

BIOS: SATA -> AHCI, SATA port1 -> Intel SSD [boot]
SATA port2 -> WD HDD

Thank you for the advice.

ignatzatsonic · 24 Jun 2011

What makes you think defragmentation is turned on for C when defragmentation service starts manually?

If you drill down into defrag schedule settings, do you see the C drive named specifically???? If I go to the modify schedule screen for defragmenation, I don't even have a choice for the C drive.

shurzota · 24 Jun 2011

ignatzatsonic said:

What makes you think defragmentation is turned on for C when defragmentation service starts manually?

If you drill down into defrag schedule settings, do you see the C drive named specifically???? If I go to the modify schedule screen for defragmenation, I don't even have a choice for the C drive.

I'm sorry ignatzatsonic,

My wife asked me to pick up my daughter.

I'll be back tomorrow.

whs · 24 Jun 2011

This is very strange. I have turned defrag on for several HDDs without effecting my SSD where it is off. Maybe you should make the settings the way MS recommends rather than thru Properties. Improve performance by defragmenting your hard disk