Solved Advice on new SSD setup with clean install

[Thorsen]

Hello all,

I have found a few tutorials, but nothing that matches my situation.

I just purchased my first SSD and am planning on installing in my laptop (in specs). The lappy has two internal bays so I can put it in there. The new SSD is 60GB so will just be for OS and 1 or 2 programs everything else will be on the 7200rpm 320GB HDD.

SSD: Newegg.com - OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)


I want to do a clean install as that is best, but all I have is the OEM disk from ASUS. So I will be following this first to create the Installation DVD:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

I am going to follow this tutorial to prepare the SSD:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html


I will turn off Hibernate and Page file (I only have 4GB of ram though so not sure about Page File)

Then, I will zero out the old HDD and repartition for data using the same Tut above. ( I will either do the Macrium backup or Restore DVD's not sure yet)

For this, I might also create two partitions, one for data and one that is encrypted, not sure yet on this either, but I know I can do this at a later date.

I can then reinstall all the programs I want to keep on the 320GB HDD.

A few Questions:

Should I turn off page file, or will this still be needed for Programs on the HDD?

Should I enable AHCI, TRIM, or Align SSD? ( or will these be done automatically due to clean install)

Am I missing any steps here? or anything I need to be aware of?

Thanks,

Thorsen

 

[writhziden]

You will need a pagefile, but it does not need to be the full 4 GB. You can probably make do with 500 MB - 1 GB. I would recommend upgrading to 8 GB when you have the ability to do so, though. The system will be more stable with a smaller pagefile if you have more RAM.

 

[gregrocker]

I don't think you need the optimize tutorial necessarily since Win7 intsaller will align the drive. Only if its imaged does it need SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Forums.

 

[Thorsen]

Ok cool. No optimize then. I am guessing since this is a new SSD, I will do the partitioning with the Install Disk and then put the old HDD back in after everything is done.

I was thinking of upgrading ram as well. I looked up specs, and it said 4GB max, but other forums have stated its possible. I might do that next going forward.

Thank you Mike and Greg

 

[gregrocker]

You might want to look at this thread I have going now. It's leaning me toward 64 bit on 4gb: 64- or 32- bit with 4gb RAM on CoreI5? - Windows 7 Forums

 

[Thorsen]

Thanks for the link. I too would recommend 64x for anything 4GB+

 

[Thorsen]

I will revisit this thread once my SSD comes in. Or if I have any other questions while preparing. I'll post some pics too, if I can, of the install and the difference between HDD speeds and WEI Score.

I also did some fun stuff recently like open up the case and clean it and replace the Thermal Paste. It got me thinking about the extra bay and I was suprised to see the prices had dropped. I know this SSD wont be top of the line, but it should provide a vast improvement.

 

[BarryBGB]

I will revisit this thread once my SSD comes in. Or if I have any other questions while preparing. I'll post some pics too, if I can, of the install and the difference between HDD speeds and WEI Score.

I also did some fun stuff recently like open up the case and clean it and replace the Thermal Paste. It got me thinking about the extra bay and I was suprised to see the prices had dropped. I know this SSD wont be top of the line, but it should provide a vast improvement.

You may want to do the alignment, partitioning and formating with dispart. Win7 likes to make a second partition of 100MB which I hate.
Makes imaging and restoring kind of confusing for me. All of my Win7 installations are on 1 partion only.

My WEI scores was the lowest for HDD and now is the highest for SSD, 7.9