using ssd for windows and hard drive for everything else

baarod said:

jimkid said:

baarod said:

Oops. You'll get more performance using the SSD as a boot and system drive.

You'll only get optimum performance from a clean install. I know it sounds terrible but there are really good reasons for it that I'd be happy to elucidate if you want.

that is just what i want to do if you can help me to set up the ssd and tell me what to do with the hd that would be great

Sorry for the slow response. Since you weren't suffering from a crippling problem I put your request in my queue.

Here's the scoop:

1) You've already got all your files and settings on the spinner (slang now for a mechanical hard drive) so no need to backup as long as you've already done a recent one on the spinner
2) Windows 7 is the only Windows to date with support for the ATAPI TRIM command that boosts SSD performance. It's installer is also SSD aware. Downside is that the OS does not dynamically adapt to being moved to a SSD from a spinner so a clean install is needed -- bad news
3) Good news -- install to an Intel, Indilinx or SandForce SSD can complete faster than you've ever imagined. What SSD did you buy? OCZ agility 60 gig It might be a great opportunity before installing 7 to upgrade the BIOS for best performance. Also upgrading your motherboard BIOS is a good idea now too! You'll need to set your BIOS to boot from the SSD Booting from SSD and maybe set it to SATA ACHI mode in your BIOS if supported by BIOS and SSD. Wont run with both drives when achi mode
4) Once all that's done just do a plain old "boot from DVD" install of Windows 7. When prompted for the install partition make sure it's showing partitions from the SSD and NOT THE SPINNER. If it is STOP and write back. Something is wrong you need to fix. Windows 7 pro 64 on ssd
5) If there are partitions on the SSD showing up you need to click advanced and delete them all. You want to install 7 on FREE SPACE not a partition. That will allow 7 to create it's partitions correctly with the CRUCIAL advantage of creating it's partitions aligned on the SSDs virtualized geometry boundaries. If this is not done, your performance can suffer as much as 80% -- i.e. your SSD could end up almost as slow as a spinner at some things. OS installed on empty hard disc
6) Install 7. Should be quick. By quick I mean the fastest install of 7 you've ever seen.
7) Once it's installed turn off the page file on the SSD. It will wear it out. If you don't know how I'll show you. Not sure how to do this
8) Create a user folder for yourself on the SSD. I put mine at the root like d:\mike. added to c:\ jimmy C: is the ssd
9) Open c:\users\mike and MOVE all the non-hidden folders to the folder your created on the SSD. Use Explorer not command prompt for this. It automatically sets up all the special folders and libraries automatically that way. I tyied this and none of the programs worked
10) There are a whole bunch of tweak some folks use over and above that. They've never made any difference to me in my tests with my Vertex 30GB firmware 1.5 but I want you to research those and decide. Ask folks here about them as there are lots of varied opinions -- that's what make this place the best Windows help on the entire 'net.
11) Install "normal" programs -- those with smallish disk footprints to the SSD. This will improve their performance too.
12) Install games to the SSD. I use mostly Steam games so I install Steam to d:\steam. All Steam games go to the spinner since it's hard to move them later without a re-download.

Hope this helps!

The comp is running fine but I dont know how to make the programs store on D: (spinner). I have backed up all the stuff that I want off the old spinner so if needed I can just format both drives and start fresh.
thanks again for you help and patience

go into disk management, you must initialize the non-boot drives for windows to recognize them.