SSD / Backup - recovery

[stereo]

I decided to order this
OCZ SSD 2.5 SATA 50G Vertex 2, OCZSSD2-2VTX50G [OCZSSD2-2VTX50G] - $134.00 : Penta Group!
And i hope i won't be dissapointed, comparing my Western Digital 6400 AAKS with this SSD
Please tell me how to proceed whit the the backup - recovery image ?
Should i partition the SSD - 30 GB for OS and the rest of SSD,as "storage" for my backup image ?
You think it's a good idea ?! If i have the backup image on the HDD, it's going to be a bit slower when i do the recovery , comparing the same think, but on SSD ?
Or, should i leave all the 50 GB SSD for Windows, and all the backup images should be on the HDD ?
I use very often Acronis True Image, and i want to have a bit more speed when i make the backup and the recovery.
Please give me some good advices, guys.
Thanks in advance.
PS : the backup image it's about 4 GB - 5 GB, and i always have about 2 images.

 

[theog]

Take a look at this Tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[Seeliewight]

I would suggest you use all 50 GB for the OS, and put all backup images on the HDD. The fun in the SSD is that it will boost your day to day activities significantly. At only 30 GB, you will always be close to full after a few installs, and then you will keep scrounging for space. I also recommend you put the page file on the SSD (since you have only 3 GB of RAM, you could use a page file).

I also use Acronis True Image, and don't really see a huge time to backup or restore since I run on a weekly basis (differential backup mode).

 

[Seeliewight]

Also, please pay attention to Theog's links - old versions of Acronis have problems with alignment and restoration of images. I struggled with the 2009 version - no matter what I did, I could not get it to align correctly (the original image was aligned at 63 sectors, and it insisted on aligning at 63 in the SSD).

The new versions of Acronis claim to fix this. Unfortunately, I only upgraded after I moved to an SSD .

I can probably dig up more information on Acronis and alignment if you want it, tell me your version of Acronis.

 

[stereo]

Hmmmm
I use Acronis True Image Home 2010 build 7,160
And i hope this version it's ok with the SSD.
Without Acronis i'm like a fish with no water

 

[Seeliewight]

From what I read, 2010 might be ok, if you do:

- partition image instead of entire disk image
- create the target partition on the SSD first, instead of letting Acronis do it

See below:
HDD image onto SSD disk | Knowledge Base

 

[stereo]

From what I read, 2010 might be ok, if you do:

- partition image instead of entire disk image
- create the target partition on the SSD first, instead of letting Acronis do it

See below:
HDD image onto SSD disk | Knowledge Base

I didnt understand the second part.
Now i have a backup of my C partition, it's about 5 GB
Can i use that on the SSD ?? It was made on the HDD. Is that okay ?
Thanks a million.

 

[Seeliewight]

So, there are two ways of restoring:

- have a fresh, untouched target disk (the SSD) and restore onto it. Acronis will create the partitions according to the image you are restoring from, and then restore the data itself. The problem here is that Acronis will recreate the original alignment (which is from the HDD and is most probably not correct (63 sectors vs 1024 sectors)). We don't want this.

- create a new blank partition on the target disk first, before invoking Acronis. If you do this from Windows, it will automatically align the new partition at 1024 sector boundary, which is good for the SSD. Now reboot and use the Acronis CD (you created one, right?) to restore the HDD image onto the existing partition. This time Acronis will only put the data back, and you will have an aligned partition with all your data. We want this

Remember: your backup should have been "partition only" not "whole disk". the difference is that the partition table information is added on in the second option, and it will sc*** things up.

Hope this clarifies things!

 

[stereo]

I'm affraid i cannot do this because i installed Windows with IDE in BIOS, and now with the SSD i'll have to change to AHCI.
Whatever i'm doing with the backup image, it won't boot, i guess.

 

[ricno]

I'm affraid i cannot do this because i installed Windows with IDE in BIOS, and now with the SSD i'll have to change to AHCI.

You could always change from IDE to AHCI when still running on the HDD. It involves only a registry change and a couple of reboots.

 

[essenbe]

This tutorial will tell you how to change to ahci mode.
The paragon alignment tool is the only app known to be able to align an SSD with data on it and not destroy the data. Price is reasonable.
Also the Paragon migrate will transfer your OS to the SSD and align it at the same time.

 

[stereo]

This tutorial will tell you how to change to ahci mode.
The paragon alignment tool is the only app known to be able to align an SSD with data on it and not destroy the data. Price is reasonable.
Also the Paragon migrate will transfer your OS to the SSD and align it at the same time.

I tried this tutorial some time ago and didn't work for me.
Anyway, i guess it's better to make a fresh install of Windows.
But, thanks for helping me.

 

[ricno]

I tried this tutorial some time ago and didn't work for me.
Anyway, i guess it's better to make a fresh install of Windows.

What did not work?

I would suggest some more reboots than the guide has:

First reboot to verify that your system is actually working and can start, before changing anything.

Then edit the registry key from the guide, do a reboot and just see that everything still works. This should now load the AHCI driver.

Now reboot again, and go into the BIOS and change from IDE to ACHI. Start up and verify that Windows detects your drives. Reboot once more..

 

[essenbe]

If you are going to transfer your OS to the SSD, you are going to have to do the registry hack either before or after. I would suggest before.

 

[essenbe]

You need to do the registry changes and reboot. When you reboot, windows should show loading drivers. After the drivers are loaded you will be prompted to reboot in order to install them. This time when you begin to startup, go directly to BIOS and change to AHCI mode, save the changes and boot into windows. If your computer boots, you will be in ahci mode.

 

[stereo]

I read something about the "SSD's life" and some people said that the SSD "life" is shorter if is used a lot for "writing"
What is that means, guys ? I hope that 2-3 years i'm okay with the SSD.
I install only the OS and the programs on the SSD, and all the games - on the HDD.
And of course, music / movies / pics / etc, on the HDD, too

 

[essenbe]

This website is doing tests now on SSDs, at last check, they had written 135TB to a 40GB SSD. The media wear out was at 35%. I don't think you kave to worry too much.

 

[stereo]

This website is doing tests now on SSDs, at last check, they had written 135TB to a 40GB SSD. The media wear out was at 35%. I don't think you kave to worry too much.

135 TB ? That means about 100.000 GB , right ?
wow

 

[essenbe]

It's not quite that much as they've been at it for quite awhile. We've been talking about it on the SSD thread. They are not nearly as fragile as most people want you to believe. Trim must work pretty good to write 135TB to a 40GB drive. They've been trying to kill it and haven't done it yet. I have 2, and my 9 year old Grandaughter will probably get to use them when I'm gone.

 

[stereo]

Anyway, essenbe, i hope that 2-3 years i'm fine with this SSD.
You see how fast the technology goes And maybe in 2 years i get another SSD