Solved Entering the world of the SSD

[Nitro58]

Hey All,
I'm getting my first SSD, a Crucial m4 128GB. I will be installing it in a system I built about 5 mounts ago. I wish I would have included it from the get go, but my budget and lack of patience didn't allow for that. I have read thorough the tutorial on moving my OS to the SSD a couple of times, but I'm leaning on just doing a clean install. I don't really have any data on my current HDD that I need to save, and I don't mind reinstalling the apps. I have on it. I will be making a image of my system and backing it up before I start in case some type of problem should arise. I do have a couple of questions.

1. Will the repair disk I made work, or will I need to make a new one once the SSD is up and running?
2. At what point should I change my controller to AHIC?
3. Should I go ahead and wipe the spinner clean after I make the image and back-up, or wait till I have the SSD set-up.
4. Is just reformatting an acceptable way of wiping the spinner clean, or is there a better way?

OK, I know that was more than two questions, and I may end up having a couple more.

Thanks for any and all input!

(current system spec. in my profile)

 

[pbcopter]

1) Was the repair disk created from a Windows 7 SP1 install?

2) Change to AHCI before you install the operating system on the SSD.

3) Disconnect the original hard drive until you have completed the operating system installation and then you can decide what to do with it.

4) In my opinion formating is adequate unless you were going to dispose of the drive.

 

[Nitro58]

1) Was the repair disk created from a Windows 7 SP1 install?

2) Change to AHCI before you install the operating system on the SSD.

3) Disconnect the original hard drive until you have completed the operating system installation and then you can decide what to do with it.

4) In my opinion formating is adequate unless you were going to dispose of the drive.

1. Yes, I made it from the current system.
2. OK, sounds good.
3. OK, I'll be using it for storage on this system.
4. OK, I'll be keeping it.

 

[pbcopter]

Repair disk should work okay then.
Good luck, I really like the SSD 's that I have. Did you get the M4 from a Newegg deal?

 

[Nitro58]

Repair disk should work okay then.
Good luck, I really like the SSD 's that I have. Did you get the M4 from a Newegg deal?

I got it from Tigerdirect, I tend to use them more than Newegg. Just a personal preference.