New SSD disk - Help installing Win 7

[Ziyi]

Hi everybody!

I just bought a new SSD disk (first time). OCZ Vertex 2 120GB.

I'm currently running Windows 7 Home premium x64, OEM thingy.. on a standard 1TB disk.

Now.. I know I need to enable ACHI at some point.. thats about it..

I'm now going to install Windows 7 on the new SSD disk.
Do I have to prepare the SSD in some special way?
Special drivers etc? Enable achi in bios before installing.. help, I'm quite lost. Tried to read around here... but.. as all dumb people I read a litle, then just ask

 

[Britton30]

Welcome to Seven forums Ziyi.
Check this page, there are several tutorials outlining the steps for using a SSD.
Windows 7 Forums the biggest Windows 7 help and support forum, friendly help and many Windows 7 tutorials that will help you get the most out of Microsofts new Windows 7 Operating System. - Search Results for ssd You may see the one for transferring the OS to a SSD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html#post1286911

 

[essenbe]

You need to enable AHCI in bios before you do the install. But remember that you will not be able to boot into your old OS after you do that. I suggest a clean install. The installation disk will format and align the SSD properly. Or you can follow this tutorial Optimize HD/SSD for reinstall, and you will not get the 100MB partition. In that tutorial you do not need to run the 'clean all' command as you have a new drive. After installation, install your Motherboard and other drivers. Don't tweek the drive as much as others recommend. Make sure thar Defrag is turned off (the installer should do that but just check) after installation and updates open an elevated command prompt (start-type cmd in the search box-right click and select run as administrator) in the command window type powercfg -h off. That will disable Hibernate and will save you 4 GB of space on your SSD. Then you can move your user files to another hard drive to save more space. That is about all that needs to be done. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[Ziyi]

Thanks a lot, just what I needed. Explanation i less than 2 thread pages!

 

[essenbe]

Ziyi, were you going to transfer the OS to the SSD? I suggest a clean install, although it is a pain, it will give you the best install and will enable you to get rid of those programs we all have installed, but don't need. I would suggest keeping it light and install malwarebytes and MSE. If you want to transfer the OS, let us know.

 

[essenbe]

Thanks a lot, just what I needed. Explanation i less than 2 thread pages!

You are welcome. Let us know if you need any further help. Also, run Windows Experience Index soon after you get installed. It helps Windows to recognize the SSD if it hasn't already and make necessary changes.

EDIT: Also, as soon as you get installed and all updates installed, Make an image of the OS and save it somewhere. That will keep you from having to do a clean install again, you can just restore that image.

 

[essenbe]

Sorry, my brain isn't working real fast this morning. When you do the install, make sure the SSD is connected to port 0 and that it is the only hard drive connected during the install. Then you can shut down and reconnect the other hard drives.

 

[Britton30]

You're welcome, Essenbe has some experience at installing SSDs.

 

[Ziyi]

Clean install feels better.

Since I don't have a Win 7 dvd og recovery dvd.. I am now downloading one (universal).. I got the a key. Will it work? Since this comp. came installed with windows. OEM and all that..
I do got a recovery partition..but guess all the useless bloatware or what it's called will be installed at the same time?

 

[essenbe]

Make sure you are downloading a legit windows disk. But, yes, you can use it with your COA key on your computer. Here is a tutorial, but be sure it is not a pirated copy and full of viruses.

 

[whs]

Why would you want to go thru all this trouble of a reinstallation. Transferring your current system is a lot easier - unless you currently have a problem with it. And if you want to go the real easy route, use the Paragon Migration Tool. But if you want to save the $19.95, go by the tutorial that Britton posted.

 

[Ziyi]

Think it's legit. doesn't say anything about cracks, key generator or anything. No reported viruses etc in the comment fields.

Thanks a lot for all your help!

 

[essenbe]

You are welcome. Let us know if you need anything else.

 

[Britton30]

You are welcome. Let us know if you need anything else.

Ziyi, someone is alway about to offer help.

 

[Ziyi]

What kind of SATA cable do I need when connecting the SSD. 150, 300 ?
SSD is OCZ Vertex 2 SATA 2

Got some "old" SATA cables lying around from my old pc. Not sure what kind they are.. one is red hehe
Serial ATA 26AWG E164535 "D" RJ AWM Style 2725 80C 30V VW-1 Haurtian <- if that makes sense..

 

[essenbe]

300 should be good. It will be a sataII cable. I'm not sure about the numbers you gave.

 

[Ziyi]

Thanks essenbe!

You've been really helpfull!!
The SSD arrives tomorrow, If I'm not posting a "whoho, everything went well" msg here tomorrow.. I probably blew up everything..

 

[essenbe]

What kind of SATA cable do I need when connecting the SSD. 150, 300 ?
SSD is OCZ Vertex 2 SATA 2

Got some "old" SATA cables lying around from my old pc. Not sure what kind they are.. one is red hehe
Serial ATA 26AWG E164535 "D" RJ AWM Style 2725 80C 30V VW-1 Haurtian <- if that makes sense..

I'm not sure but that sounds like a SATA II cable.

 

[essenbe]

Thanks essenbe!

You've been really helpfull!!
The SSD arrives tomorrow, If I'm not posting a "whoho, everything went well" msg here tomorrow.. I probably blew up everything..

I really doubt you will blow anything up. Just, if you are going to do a clean install, plug the SSD into port 0 and disconnect the power cables to all other hard drives so that the SSD is the only one plugged in. After you are installed, shut down the computer and plug back in the other hard drives. Start up and you should be OK. you may see a message about installing drivers. That is common, it is installing drivers for the hard drives you just plugged in.

 

[Ziyi]

Things is working perfectly.. Disk got a 7,7 rating.
Defrag is disabled from schedule..

The damn RAM I also ordered was of course wrong.. I bought 4 gb of ram.. CL5 (same type as I got).. but when I read the label on the new ram, it says CL6. So they have sent me the wrong type.

As I understand, CL6 i slower than CL5. Is there any problems having different CL? all the ram will be "as slow" as the slowest? Damn, my shitty english...