Installing "boot" files to an SSD

[TheAtomicGoose]

I have read in the past somewhere (I have no idea where) that there is a way to install certain files which are part of the startup sequence to an SSD and installing the rest of the files to an HDD. If that is true, what is the process for doing it? I currently have a 32GB SSD and a 500GB HDD in RAID 0 (I think it's 0, not 100% sure.) I'm planning on doing a clean install of Windows 7 and getting rid of RAID, but I'd like to be able to speed my boot process by the placement of the "boot" files to the SSD? Thanks!

 

[LMiller7]

The files you are speaking of actually consume very little time during the boot process. What really takes the time is accessing the hundreds of other files. To improve boot time you really need to have the entire OS on the SSD.

 

[AddRAM]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

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

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

Well currently my laptop boots extremely quickly (<15 seconds), and I thought that it had something to do with the SSD. However, I definitely have more than 32GB of stuff on my laptop, so how is that so fast?

 

[AddRAM]

Is windows on the ssd now ? (All of Windows)

Post a shot of disk management if you please.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

All of windows is NOT on the SSD. I will post a screenshot of disk management once I'm back in Windows...I'm currently in Linux.

 

[AddRAM]

As suggested, you should have all of windows, and your programs on the ssd, and use the hard drive for storage, games etc.

32 GB is awfully small, but it will work.

You could put the page file on the hard drive, that will give you some space back. With 8 GBs of memory you could probably just turn it off. (You could test it and see how it works out)

You could put the hibernation file on the hard drive, if you even use it.

You could turn off system restore, not really recommended, at least not until you create a disk image.

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

Wait, so by all of windows you don't mean also stored files, you just mean the essential windows files?

 

[whs]

I suggest you install the full OS and all the programs on the SSD and move the user files to the HDD. Then you can get the effect that you are looking for. The OS and a reasonable selection of programs will easily fit on a 32GB SSD - provided it is set up properly. If you need detailed guidance, post back.

PS: Is this a 17" laptop with 2 disk bays ??

 

[AddRAM]

Wait, so by all of windows you don't mean also stored files, you just mean the essential windows files?

I mean bare bones windows, it`s what we call a clean install. It only takes up about 16 to 20 GBs.

Stored Files ???

Please explain :huh:

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

@whs: no, it's a 14.5" laptop with 2 disk bays. Is there any way that I can install the programs onto the HDD as well as the user files? The reason I'm reinstalling is a) I've messed with my computer a lot so there's a few strange things that happen that I think clean installing will fix, and b) I'm switching to only using Windows for gaming and dual booting Arch Linux to use for everything else.

@AddRAM: User files, sorry; wrong name Also it would be nice if I could also put program files on the HDD.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, you can put the programs on the HD, just change the drive letter during the install.

Start saving for a larger ssd, they are getting cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/SSDs/Category/ID-119?Tid=11689

 

[gregrocker]

Such a small SSD is actually a chip on the HD or mobo for paging file, and requires special installation steps in Install Windows on System with MSATA and ISRT - Windows 7 Help Forums

or for Lenovo models in your series: The Guide on How To Reformat, Repartition AND Get RapidStart & RapidStorage Working.

Study each tutorial closely to see which applies, and you can ask the tutorial author in the comments section for further help.

 

[whs]

Hmm, a 14" laptop with 2 disk bays was news to me. Out of curiosity, can you tell us what make/model that is.

And yes, you can install programs on the HDD. That is done during the installation. Just be aware that not all programs allow that.

Once you have your OS installed, post back. Then we'll tell you how to reduce the OS space requirements on the SSD.

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

@gregrocker: ok, thanks. I'll look through those.

@whs: it's probably not a second bay according to what gregrocker said, but it's a Lenovo U410 Ultrabook.

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

@AddRAM: Here's the Disk Management screenshot.

 

[TheAtomicGoose]

Also, sorry if I didn't mention this before: I learned recently that I don't have physical RAID (e.g. two separate disks), I actually have "fake" RAID, where RAID is created with multiple partitions on the same drive. Just to clarify, I DON'T want to keep my RAID setup. I want to nuke it.

 

[AddRAM]

What was originally on the 8GB on Disk 0 ????

Where did you get the idea you have a 32 GB ssd ??

 

[whs]

Since this is an Ultrabook, I think the SSD is only used as a caching device for the HDD. That's what this funny Raid setup is for. I don't think you can use it as a distinct, seperate disk to install the OS. We tried that once for another member but after about 100 postings back and forth we gave up.

I recommend you leave it as is and don't try to change anything. With a boot time of under 15 seconds there is not much you can improve anyhow.

 

[whs]

I am confused - is his SSD space 8GB or 32GB.