In need of simplified install instructions for SSD (please read).

[Anesthetize]

So first of, 'Hi.' I signed up here cause I thought after days of asking around that this might be the place where I may finally get some questions answered properly.

So, simply put, I recently built my first PC which has both an SSD and a HDD, and I need some help correctly installing Windows 7 to the SSD.

Now I understand some options may need to be changed in the bios? if so, can you please be very precise about where I need to go and what I need to click on and change as I'm seriously lacking knowledge when it comes to this stuff. I can't stress that enough, I've had people just throwing sentences at me that have confused me within the first few words, and they never care to elaborate.

Some people said to change *something* to AHCI mode, but there's two places I've noticed in the bios where I can do this, and no one was specific about which one it was I needed to change.

Also, does it matter which SATA port my SSD is connected to? I have the following ports:

SATA3_M1, White
SATA3_M2, White
SATA3_0, White
SATA3_1, White
SATA2_2, Blue
SATA2_3, Blue
SATA2_4, Blue
SATA2_5, Blue

My SSD is connected to M2, White I believe while the HDD is on 0, White. I can change this if need be.

If I can get help with the above questions, I'd REALLY appreciate it! And if anyone has any additional tips, I'd appreciate them too, but please keep the explainations on 'how to' simple, it would save me having to ask even more questions and going in circles.

Thanks for any help!

 

[seavixen32]

This might be a good place to check: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/61365-how-install-win7-new-ssd-drive.html

 

[Anesthetize]

I forgot to mention, I've looked at 'how to' guides, and all the abbreviations and stuff also confuse me. I learn quick, but I need clear explanations.

Already I'm lost reading some of that. I see abbreviations like 'MBR' and terms like 'multi-boot' and I'm clueless.

I just need someone to answer my questions That would help me a lot!

 

[theog]

Leave your BIOS as default, if you can.(check MOBO manual)
OS should be installed to Disk0.
When installing Windows, only have Disk0 plug in.

Take a look at those Tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

 

[essenbe]

In BIOS you have 2 controllers one for the p67 motherboard you have and one for the marvel controller(the ones you listed as M1, M2) I would recommend putting the SSD on sata port 0, white if you are going to install the OS there. I have the same basic setup in bios as you. I have both controllers as AHCI. If you are not using the marvel ports you can set them to disabled-on my board that speeds up boot time. Whichever port you have your SSD on that controller should be set to AHCI. After installing windows, it is a good idea to move your user files to another hard drive. This saves space and protects your personal files in the event of an OS failure. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
User Folders-change location

 

[Anesthetize]

Thanks for the replies guys!

In BIOS you have 2 controllers one for the p67 motherboard you have and one for the marvel controller(the ones you listed as M1, M2) I would recommend putting the SSD on sata port 0, white if you are going to install the OS there. I have the same basic setup in bios as you. I have both controllers as AHCI. If you are not using the marvel ports you can set them to disabled-on my board that speeds up boot time. Whichever port you have your SSD on that controller should be set to AHCI. After installing windows, it is a good idea to move your user files to another hard drive. This saves space and protects your personal files in the event of an OS failure. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
User Folders-change location

So SSD to SATA3_0 right? If I then put my HDD to SATA3_1, where should I put the DVD drive and the SATA cable for external HDD? If I avoid the M1 and M2 as you've pointed out, will speed up my boot time, then should I connect the DVD Drive and External HDD cable on SATA2_2, Blue and SATA2_3, Blue?

As for the AHCI (I don't know what the term 'controllers' means here), I found 2 places where I could set something to AHCI mode. One said 'Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode,' and in there I was able to choose IDE or AHCI. The other said 'SATA Mode,' and in there I was able to choose IDE, AHCI and RAID. Do I set them both to AHCI or not? Or is that even the right place?

Also, I've heard about people deleting something called 'Hibernation Mode' or something, or save space on the SSD, because it's apparently something that isn't used. Is that done via the Win7 install, or after the install? any idea about that?

And the moving of the 'user files,' is that just copying one or more folders from the SSD to the HDD?

Thanks for the help so far, I really appreciate it.

 

[essenbe]

You do not have to avoid the Marvel ports. Normally, the main ports on a P67 or in your case Z67 perform better than the Marvel. I don't use them simply because i don't have that many hard drives. If I need more HDs I will use them. The CD/DVD drive will be better on a sata2 ports. The options in bios are what I mentioned. The controller is what controls the ports. You have the native p67 ports ( all ports except the ones you listed as M1, M2) The M1 and M2 ports are controlled by the option you listed a Marvel sata 3 operation mode. The other option is for the native ports listed above (P67).
to turn off hibernate (you will not be able to use hibernate) will save space on the SSD to do that after the install open an elevated command prompt( push start-in the search box type cmd-right click on cmd and select run as administrator). copy and paste this command into the command prompt window powercfg -h off then type exit and the window will close.

 

[Anesthetize]

You do not have to avoid the Marvel ports. Normally, the main ports on a P67 or in your case Z67 perform better than the Marvel. I don't use them simply because i don't have that many hard drives. If I need more HDs I will use them. The CD/DVD drive will be better on a sata2 ports. The options in bios are what I mentioned. The controller is what controls the ports. You have the native p67 ports ( all ports except the ones you listed as M1, M2) The M1 and M2 ports are controlled by the option you listed a Marvel sata 3 operation mode. The other option is for the native ports listed above (P67).
to turn off hibernate (you will not be able to use hibernate) will save space on the SSD to do that after the install open an elevated command prompt( push start-in the search box type cmd-right click on cmd and select run as administrator). copy and paste this command into the command prompt window powercfg -h off then type exit and the window will close.

Okay, so I got the SSD on SATA3_0 White, the HDD on SATA3_1 White, the DVD drive on SATA2_2 Blue and the External HDD SATA on SATA2_3 Blue. That should be fine right?

So it's the other option (not the Marvel Sata 3 Operation option) that I need to switch to AHCI yes? and the Marvel one I can now disable as it's not being used right?

With that in place (assuming that's all right), I can just put the disc in an install now? and all other things (moving user files etc.) all the speed-up techniques, ways to keep the SSD running in prime condition etc. are all done after the installation?

And that command prompt for hibernation will delete everything to do with hibernation, or just block it from being used, or...? Because ideally, I'd want to delete anything to do with it to create more space on the SSD right?

Thanks again for your help mate, I really appreciate this

 

[essenbe]

As far as the hibernation, after that command hibernation will not show up in shutdown options. It disables it.
After installation run WEI soon, windows should do most everythin for you. I always check that defrag is turned off, verify alignment and trim and that's about all. How to do those things will be in the links that theog gave you. You will see and hear many people talk about dozens of tweeks to do. You can tweek the SSD to death and sometimes hurt performance. I've told you what I usually do and nothing more. I believe you have everything else correct. Windows should do proper alignment for you.

 

[Anesthetize]

As far as the hibernation, after that command hibernation will not show up in shutdown options. It disables it.
After installation run WEI soon, windows should do most everythin for you. I always check that defrag is turned off, verify alignment and trim and that's about all. How to do those things will be in the links that theog gave you. You will see and hear many people talk about dozens of tweeks to do. You can tweek the SSD to death and sometimes hurt performance. I've told you what I usually do and nothing more. I believe you have everything else correct. Windows should do proper alignment for you.

Is there no way to delete the files that make hibernation work? or will disabling it do that?

Also, you got me a bit confused. I had to google 'WEI' to see what it was (Windows Experience Index?), think I seen it on my old computer, it gives you a number based on performance of you're systems specifications right? Does it have any other use?

Also, what does 'alignment' do in terms of the Windows OS?

I'll check the links for everything else. Thanks for all the help

 

[Anesthetize]

Leave your BIOS as default, if you can.(check MOBO manual)
OS should be installed to Disk0.
When installing Windows, only have Disk0 plug in.

Take a look at those Tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

Default? not even change the SSD thingy to AHCI? Or the 'First Boot Device' to CD ROM?

Also, is 'Disk0' whatever is connected to SATA3 port 0? or does this not even have anything to do with what's connected to what SATA port etc.?

And disconnect my HDD so only the SSD is installed right?

Thanks for the reply

 

[theog]

1) Leave your BIOS as default, if you can.(check MOBO manual)

2)Your first CD/dvd drive, will be CD-rom 0.
Your first Hd, will be Disk 0. Connected to the first Sata port.

3) Yes.

 

[essenbe]

The command will disable the hibernation files.
Yes WEI is windows experience Index. It is my understanding that running wei is what makes windows turn off defrag and other features needed by the SSD. You can type wei into the search box and click on check the windows experience index, then run it.
Alignment is necessary for the ssd to perform properly. Windows will align the SSD during installation. I am not a trusting soul, so I want to see. You can align it yourself before installation if you want. Here is a good tutorial on doing that, just do not run the 'clean all' command. Be sure to disconnect all other hard drives before you install windows, after the installation and you are booting properly, turn off the computer and connect the other hard drives.

If you need any further help just post back here. someone is always around.

 

[Anesthetize]

1) Leave your BIOS as default, if you can.(check MOBO manual)

2)Your first CD/dvd drive, will be CD-rom 0.
Your first Hd, will be Disk 0. Connected to the first Sata port.

3) Yes.

I can't seem to find anything in the manual about it.

I had to set the CD Drive to be the 'first boot device' myself. That's done now.

And my SSD is connected to my first sata port, the HDD is unplugged. Almost ready to go. Thanks

 

[Anesthetize]

The command will disable the hibernation files.
Yes WEI is windows experience Index. It is my understanding that running wei is what makes windows turn off defrag and other features needed by the SSD. You can type wei into the search box and click on check the windows experience index, then run it.
Alignment is necessary for the ssd to perform properly. Windows will align the SSD during installation. I am not a trusting soul, so I want to see. You can align it yourself before installation if you want. Here is a good tutorial on doing that, just do not run the 'clean all' command. Be sure to disconnect all other hard drives before you install windows, after the installation and you are booting properly, turn off the computer and connect the other hard drives.

If you need any further help just post back here. someone is always around.

Is there usually many problems with Windows doing the aligning itself? I looked at the tutorial, and while it seems easy enough to follow (even for someone like me), but if Windows usually does this right itself, that I think would be easier for me.

Also, if what this is doing is creating a partition on the SSD to install Windows on, if I do it manually, how much space do I need to make? (60GB SSD). And looking at one of the paragraphs from the tutorial here:

"Still in the same command window, to create a partition of the entire HDD / SSD, it is suggested if you are using one of the larger, 1 - 2TB HDDs that you use the outline in #2 below to create a single 100GB partition to do the installation to or #3 below if you would like to include the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition, as we're now seeing serious issues with some trying to install to such large partitions.

As the SSD is only 60GB, and not 100/200GB, should Ii still include '#3'?

Thanks again

 

[essenbe]

There are usually no problems with windows doing it. I would use the whole drive and not partition other than the 100MB which windows will automatically create if you let windows do it. That tutorial is for SSD and regular HDDs. Don't worry about the part about 2TB drives. The 100MB is your choice, it has some advantages. Some people want it and some don't, that's why the tutorial was written that way- to give you a choice.

You can just let windows do it during the install if you want. It may be easier for you that way. Windows will align it properly.

 

[seavixen32]

I forgot to mention, I've looked at 'how to' guides, and all the abbreviations and stuff also confuse me. I learn quick, but I need clear explanations.

Already I'm lost reading some of that. I see abbreviations like 'MBR' and terms like 'multi-boot' and I'm clueless.

I just need someone to answer my questions That would help me a lot!

Without wishing to patronise you in any way, this link may help you to understand some of the acronyms we glibly scatter throughout our posts:

alphaDictionary * Free Computing Dictionary - Free Computing Glossary

 

[Anesthetize]

There are usually no problems with windows doing it. I would use the whole drive and not partition other than the 100MB which windows will automatically create if you let windows do it. That tutorial is for SSD and regular HDDs. Don't worry about the part about 2TB drives. The 100MB is your choice, it has some advantages. Some people want it and some don't, that's why the tutorial was written that way- to give you a choice.

You can just let windows do it during the install if you want. It may be easier for you that way. Windows will align it properly.

Got it!

I forgot to mention, I've looked at 'how to' guides, and all the abbreviations and stuff also confuse me. I learn quick, but I need clear explanations.

Already I'm lost reading some of that. I see abbreviations like 'MBR' and terms like 'multi-boot' and I'm clueless.

I just need someone to answer my questions That would help me a lot!

Without wishing to patronise you in any way, this link may help you to understand some of the acronyms we glibly scatter throughout our posts:

alphaDictionary * Free Computing Dictionary - Free Computing Glossary

That may actually help. Cheers.

-----------

Okay, so I'm all installed. Thanks for the help. But one more thing right now. Would it be better to install the anti-virus/internet security I'm intending on using onto the SSD, or the HDD? Does Windows continue to take space on the SSD with updates etc?

Thanks again!

 

[essenbe]

Yes, Install it to the SSD. And yes it will, but shouldn't cause problems.

 

[Anesthetize]

Yes, Install it to the SSD. And yes it will, but shouldn't cause problems.

One more thing. I plugged the HDD back in after, and it's not recognizing it's connected. Any ideas?

EDIT: Also, the system rating rated the GPU at 1.0. Am I right in assuming this is because I havn't installed any graphics drivers yet?

Thanks again!