Time for a SSD (Toshiba Tecra R840 laptop)...

[ignatzatsonic]

I haven't heard anything about Samsung not being quick, but the fact is they are all quick.

If you didn't know which you owned, you would not likely be able to tell the difference.

My concerns would be reliability, price, and support---probably in that order.

I bought an Intel with no regrets. If buying today, I'd probably get a Samsung. I have not yet heard anything bad about Samsung---they make both the controller and the chips on their drives--unlike competitors.

 

[kbrady1979]

While building my new rig this summer, I ordered the Intel 520 SSD. I did this because I already had an Intel X-25 M that was rock solid and was hoping the new 520 series would be just as good. I don't know if I have the worst luck known to man, or what, but the Intel 520 SSD was bad when I got it.....RMA'd to Newegg, and they sent me a brand new one, which was also bad. That's two Intel 520 series SSD's in a row that were garbage. I then did what I should have in the first place and ordered the Samsung 830 SSD and have had NO problems since.

Some points of interest: They are probably the most reliable SSD out there today, the proof of that is all over the place. Not having a Sandforce controller means they have the same speed on compressible and incompressible data. They aren't the fastest drive ever made, but if you look at testing done by reputable reviewers, you will see that they are very close to the top in almost all the tests. Price.......less than $100 dollars for the 128GB model, and the 256GB model is $179-200 depending on the current sale. I'm sure Samsung's support is top notch....truth is, they make everything in this SSD and if a problem comes up, they can't hide behind it being the problem of a third-party company. But I have yet to hear of anybody who has had to use Samsung support for their SSD's!

I can talk about the advantages of a Samsung 830 all day long because I actually have one in my system. That being said, there are a few more that I do not have experience with, but would feel safe using. The Crucial M4 is suppose to be really solid, and plenty of people on here can give you the scoop on them. The Plextor M3 Pro, or the new M5 Pro would probably be a safe bet as well. Lastly, one of THE fastest SSD's on the planet, the OCZ Vertex 4. All of those drives can be had between $100-150 (sometimes even less than a 100 dollar bill) and will more than likely provide you with years of stability and reliability and a huge increase in "felt" performance.

As far as OS installation goes, a CLEAN install of Windows 7 is the best way to go. After you install drivers it is advisable to install the software of whatever SSD you get to keep it optimized and maintained. Some SSD software will actually "tune" your system to optimize it for use with the SSD. After that, just set up Win 7 like normal!

 

[paulobao]

Thanks for the tips

About win7 clean install (and since I'n not an expert):

I do not have Win7 dvd because my laptop came not with it! Instead, there is a "factory" partitition in the HDD with the OS and all drivers and needed! And it was that partition that I would like to use for OS and drivers installation!
How can I do this? If I go with Samsung I want to stay far from Ghost (I hade bad experience with it...I have already bougth Ghost15.0).
My idea was to image/clone my actual system (which have only the OS istalled now) to the SSD, then put the ssd inside the laptop and after seeing that the ssd is working ok, press F8, "repair computer" and go to "toshiba restore" which will erase everything and make a CLEAN install of the OS and drivers to the ssd!!!
Is this possible?

paulo

 

[whs]

This tutorial may be helpful for what you plan to do: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

 

[DavidE]

I may be wrong, but i think you are planning to:
1) Copy (Image/Clone) your current HD OS partition to the new SSD
2) Then restore the PC to the initial manufacturer state, replacing the image you just copied.

I'm not sure this approach is needed, or the best approach.
Is there anything wrong with your current HD OS system, and that is why you don't want to use it going forward on the new SSD?

FYI:
- You can download and use the Windows install (DVD) image for the version you are licensed for.
- This would allow a CLEAN Windows install and not have any manufacturer bloatware.
- If you do restore the factory image, it will include all factory bloatware.
- If you do "copy" from the HD to the SSD, the "f8" factory restore may not work from the SSD recovery partition.
- Make sure you have created the manufacturer restore disc's on DVD/CD !

There are tutorials to help with this, but i don't want to throw too much at you and confuse the issue...

I recently moved an OS from a HD to a new SSD.
I followed the tutorial whs gave you (and authored by whs).
I used the Geeky approach, and it worked very well for me. Thank-You whs !

You should post a maximized screen print of your current PC Windows Disk Management.
I think that would help the experts here give you the best advice to migrate to an SSD.

I'm one of those that prefer to not re-install an OS and all programs unless absolutely needed.
Many others prefer and recommend to re-install the OS and programs periodically.
I keep enough system backup images so i can do a restore to recover from a problem without doing to a re-install.

 

[paulobao]

Ok, now I read that not all SSD are compatible with all laptops..:-(
One more problem to solve!

 

[whs]

Ok, now I read that not all SSD are compatible with all laptops..:-(
One more problem to solve!

Where did you read that. I have never heard of such a thing. The only incompatibility I can think of is the form factor - 2.5", 3.5", 1.8". You have to take a 2.5".

 

[boogieboy]

Get Corsair Force GT

 

[paulobao]

Hi,

I saw somewhere in the www that someone bought a SSD and than that was incompatible with his computer!
But it is great to know that there is no such thing
My laptop start to make me crazy!!! Now I have boot times from 80-140 sec!!! And there is nothing installed except Win7 Pro 64bit and the toshiba stuff!

paulo

 

[FernandoNunes]

Tecra R840-10T issue with OCZ Agility 3 240GB

Hey o/

I have been "flirtying" SSDs for a couple of years but now I decided it was time for kick-ass speeds at decent prices.

For my Toshiba Tecra 840-10T I bought an OCZ Agility 3 240GB and I ran into issues.
Even updating the BIOS and Firmware of the SSD (already latest from store) didn't put it to work.
The HDD is detected by BIOS and starts to install Windows 8 but then copying the files... the HDD Light gets stuck bright green for 10s... disks resumes operation then... 20s halts again... and just keeps increasing.

Traded for a Corsair Force 3 240GB and all is fine
3mins to install Windows 8 Enterprise 64bit
1min from first boot with device discovery to initial user setup screen

startup and shutdown are just toooo fast.... and yes I have my laptop loaded, it is my work laptop

DEFINITLY, Corsair Force 3 240GB is worth every penny.

Hope my experience enlightens future buyes of SSDs and in particular owners of a Tecra R840.

Best Regards,
Fernando

 

[whs]

Thanks for the report. You are not the first user reporting problems with the OCZ Agility. That particular OCZ model seems to have problems.

I own 3 OCZ Vertex that work fine. But there are also a couple of Vertex models that are probematic. Always helps to read the users feedback - e.g. on the Newegg site.