Install Windows on MSATA (SSD) Drive

How to Clean Install Windows on a MSATA (SSD) Drive​

   Information

This tutorial would be applicable for any system shipped with a MSATA drive as a cache device using Intel Smart Response Technology (ISRT).

This tutorial will show you how to install Windows 7 or Windows 8 on the MSATA drive instead.

   Warning

Re-installation of Windows would delete everything stored on the system so make sure that you have backup of all your important data stored externally.

Here's how you can start:

First you need to prepare your BIOS for installing windows on the MSATA drive. We need to disable the Intel Smart Response Technology.

Tap F2 at the startup to enter BIOS. Under SATA OPERATION change to AHCI from ISRT.

   Note

For some systems it would be different combination to enter BIOS like pressing DEL key. Check your system manual for knowing how to enter BIOS.

Once it is done we need to clean both the drives. Boot from your Windows 7 or Windows 8 installation DVD/USB.



Open a command prompt at boot in Windows 7 or Windows 8.





Once you are in the Command Prompt perform the steps below to clean both the drives.

Type DISKPART and hit enter

Type LIST DISK and hit enter.



Type SELECT DISK 0 and hit enter.

Type CLEAN and hit enter

Type LIST DISK and hit enter

Type SELECT DISK 1 and hit enter.

Type CLEAN and hit enter



Type EXIT and hit enter to exit from Diskpart.

Type EXIT and hit enter to exit from Command Prompt.



This would clean both the disks and would delete all the data stored on both the drives. Press Restart button on the below window.



Boot from the OS disc or USB key and then you can install windows on either SATA or MSATA drive.

To clean install Windows 7 see this tutorial:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

To clean install Windows 8 see this tutorial:

Clean Install - Windows 8

I hope this tutorial helps answers the question of many users about installing Windows on the MSATA drive.

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask it here or send me a PM.

Related Tutorials

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• How to Clean Install Windows on System with MSATA and ISRT

 

[Bongo]

Very nice tutorial

 

[theog]

Nice one.

 

[indianacarnie]

Good job!

 

[Anak]

Great work!

I would have rep'd, but I must spread it around some more.

 

[SandeepP]

Thanks all really appreciate it

 

[Solarstarshines]

Nicely done and you put Instructions down step by step makes it very easy

 

[shaylourie]

f.y.i

if you are installing from flash drive make shure to connect it to usb2 inted of 3

 

[LCopJunior1973]

Hello, I'm trying to do a clean install of my Windows 8 Pro onto an SSD but when I do the clean install for some reason it keeps my wallpaper and certain functions from an older install. I was just reinstalling my Windows Pro because I was experiencing some issues with my Steam games. What can I do to fix this. I also have a "slave" drive which is for just backups and directing my install of programs to it.

Thank you.

 

[Anak]

Hi LCopJunior1973, welcome to 7F!

Hello, I'm trying to do a clean install of my Windows 8 Pro onto an SSD but when I do the clean install for some reason it keeps my wallpaper and certain functions from an older install.

Don't quote me on this, but I believe your clean install really isn't clean and your previous user account is being carried over. And, then there is the prospect of "how many drives do you have?" and where is the active, healthy boot drive, and are you trying to dual boot different OS's from the same drive?

We will need at the least a: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

I was just reinstalling my Windows Pro because I was experiencing some issues with my Steam games. What can I do to fix this.

Not sure about the issuses, but until this gets straightened out you should get back to a bare-bones OS, 7 or 8.

I also have a "slave" drive which is for just backups and directing my install of programs to it.

Thank you.

Your welcome,

The slave drive may be part of this depending on how its set-up, but at first glance it does not look like it.

You may find better help if you want to stay with Windows 8 here: Installation & Setup - Windows 8 Forums

In either case you should have better System Specs, did you fill in yours from memory? These two will help immensely and do it for you automatically.

How to fill in your System Specs Tutorial for SevenForums. and EightForums.

 

[LCopJunior1973]

I think I've solved the issue. I just had to follow the steps somewhere within this website. I had to boot from the DVD then use the Repair Windows option. Once there, go to the Command Prompt and use DiskPart then list disk to clean the partition. That worked the best for me. Now, all of my settings that were stuck and reinstalling seemed to have gone away which is great. Also, the annoying thing is I'm in the build 9600 for some reason and had to call Microsoft twice, once for Win 8 and again for Win 8.1 just to verify my store bought Windows 8 Pro. Thank you for the help all. Later.

 

[LCopJunior1973]

SandeepP, those steps worked big time!!! Thank you. Perfectly clean install. Just had to troubleshoot to get it validated via calling Microsoft which was a pain but worked. I appreciated it alot!!

 

[Anak]

I think I've solved the issue. I just had to follow the steps somewhere within this website. I had to boot from the DVD then use the Repair Windows option. Once there, go to the Command Prompt and use DiskPart then list disk to clean the partition. That worked the best for me. Now, all of my settings that were stuck and reinstalling seemed to have gone away which is great.

That's great that you were able to sort out your problem!

There is an extensive Tutorial section here at 7F: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/257-windows-7-tutorial-index.html, and at 8F: Windows 8 - Tutorial Index

You may be referring to:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html This one is the same for Windows 7 or Windows 8

Also, the annoying thing is I'm in the build 9600 for some reason and had to call Microsoft twice, once for Win 8 and again for Win 8.1 just to verify my store bought Windows 8 Pro. Thank you for the help all. Later.

Your welcome.

Both 8 and the 8.1 Pro that you have now are referred to as 9600 builds. (6.3.9600) Did you use just phone/computer activation? Next time try getting a hold of a live service rep.
How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center

If you want to remove the watermark: Windows 8 Edition and Build Version Watermark on Desktop, and if you're in Test Mode: “Test Mode Windows 8.1 Build 9600" Watermark - Remove

If you're having problems with Secure Boot isn't configured correctly:
Secure Boot isn't configured correctly: troubleshooting

http://www.eightforums.com/Secure Boot - Confirm Enabled or Disabled in Windows 8
http://www.eightforums.com/How to Enable or Disable Secure Boot in UEFI
Both of these links use an AsRock MB as an example, you may find it similar to your MSI MB. Look for the secure boot option in the UEFI section of your BIOS.

If you would have had your Specs filled out with the model of your MB I could have helped more, the best I can do for now is guide you here, if you don't have your MB manual: MSI Global - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Motherboard, Graphics and more

SandeepP, those steps worked big time!!! Thank you. Perfectly clean install. Just had to troubleshoot to get it validated via calling Microsoft which was a pain but worked. I appreciated it alot!!

SandeepP has had a job change earlier this year and hasn't been in-forum since the end of May, but he hasn't cut ties with 7F as far as I know, so his email notifications should still be working. Windows 7 Help Forums - View Profile: SandeepP

Knowing him, I know he appreciates your thanks!

 

[RogerAttila]

Sandeep
First you need to prepare your BIOS for installing windows on the MSATA drive. We need to disable the Intel Smart Response Technology.

Tap F2 at the startup to enter BIOS. Under SATA OPERATION change to AHCI from ISRT.

I am a new user to the Forum and started a thread that someone shifted to another thread and I am not sure to which one I reply to. I saw thread number 382240 in the URL so that is where i think I was transferred to. It was how to do a clean install of Win 7. Could you refer to this thread to get a background of my situation?
My C: HDD is flaky, getting intermittent errors running the Seagate SeaTools Disk diagnostics. System also started running very slow. No system crashes, no blue screen of death, no OS errors that I can see.
I want to replace my old HDD with a new 250 GB Samsung SSD and get rid of the old HDD. This is what I was told, in the thread I started, from one of the experts on this forum.

• Step 1: Use WET to transfer your settings and data to an external hard disk or USB drive. I Did That to a USB HDD. No Problems.
• Step 2: Clean install Windows 7 on your new SSD I did this, following thread 1649 that was referred to in the reply I got. How to do a clean install with Win 7. I used the DVD I purchased when I had to do a clean install a year ago when I went from Win XP to Win 7. I did nothing to my new SSD prior to starting and completing the clean custom install process. No errors or messages. When I tried to do a Windows Update the system went into a loop. I killed that with task mgr. Then I tried to reinstall my antivirus pgm, VIPRE, and the system went into a loop downloading files or something.
• I am stuck and reading your thread it appears I was supposed to do something to my new SSD, but I did nothing prior to starting the clean install from DVD. Am I doing the correct thing by posting to this thread as it seems like the new SSD is my problem. Thank you.
• Step 3: Use WET to restore your settings and data