need basic SSD install help

[robble]

Just installed a 120gb Gskill ssd in my system. It does not show up in windows explorer although the device manager sees it under disk drives.

I read somewhere that I need to be in ahci mode but my sata is in ide mode.

Device manager does not show ahci under the ida ata/atapi controllers section.

I already have two hard drives installed. If I go into bios and switch sata from ide to ahci windows won't boot from my regular HD (which i left hooked up)



I was hoping to just throw the drive in, find some way to clone my c: drive to it and be on my merry way. It is obviously not that simple.

I do not want to have to reinstall windows and everything else on my ssd.

So what is the basic procedure to get windows to see it in windows explorer and what program should I use to basically copy everything form my c: drive to it and have the ssd be my boot drive?

Thanks!

win7 x64

 

[TehQuick]

1) did you create a volume in the manager? All new drives have to be initialized/formatted through the storage manager before they show up in the file explorer. AHCI of IDE doesn't matter at this point
2) If you really want to switch to AHCI, you will need to change some values in the registry (google ahci and instructions are easy to find), also might want to update drivers.
3) use something like Acronis True Image - you can use a trial, works for 30 days - to duplicate your system drive to your SSD. Make sure though that whatever software you use to clone your original system drive that it sets up the offset sector correctly - again, you need to look up whatever it is for your drive (someone might know it here or call the manufacturer support)

 

[robble]

could you give instructions for creating the volume and initializing/formatting the ssd? I've never had problems installing dozens of HDs in the past but I don't see where I can format/partition the ssd.

 

[serpretetsky]

could you give instructions for creating the volume and initializing/formatting the ssd? I've never had problems installing dozens of HDs in the past but I don't see where I can format/partition the ssd.

1) did you create a volume in the manager? All new drives have to be initialized/formatted through the storage manager before they show up in the file explorer. AHCI of IDE doesn't matter at this point
2) If you really want to switch to AHCI, you will need to change some values in the registry (google ahci and instructions are easy to find), also might want to update drivers.
3) use something like Acronis True Image - you can use a trial, works for 30 days - to duplicate your system drive to your SSD. Make sure though that whatever software you use to clone your original system drive that it sets up the offset sector correctly - again, you need to look up whatever it is for your drive (someone might know it here or call the manufacturer support

If you're going to do step3 (which it sounds like is what you're trying to do), then step1 is irrelevant just so you know. If you want to konw any way, right click on "my computer" and goto manage. select disk management. It will show you your drives, right click the drive and either select "new volume" or "format" or something along those lines. You can get to the same windows through control panel but it takes longer.

If you're installing windows 7 most people seem to recommend installing a fresh copy on your ssd so that windows can auto adjust for it. Although, honestly, for me win7 didn't properly adjust to my intel 80gb anyways, and i had to go in and disable a few things.

 

[robble]

I wound up jus tdisconnecting my hard drives and installing windows onto the ssd from USB. took all of 7 minutes.

I'm still going to duplicate my original c onto the ssd. downloading acronis now.

 

[robble]

question: what is the one feature of acronis that is not available with the free trial?

answer: clone disk.


any other program suggestions?

 

[Damar]

question: what is the one feature of acronis that is not available with the free trial?

answer: clone disk.


any other program suggestions?

I don't know of any personally, but keep in mind whatever you use needs to properly align the SSD or you're possibly going to end up with a lot less performance than you paid for. Most people (myself included) recommend a clean install to ensure things are set correctly.

You're also going to need to dig into Windows and set several things that would be automatically set by the OS on a clean install (assuming you're using Win7). SSD's are treated differently by the OS and on a clean install it sets up several things differently than if it were installed to a normal HD.

Might want to read this article for some info.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx

I recommend a clean install. It's not like it will take that long on an SSD and it ensures you don't end up wasting more time down the road trying to fix what the cloning could screw up.

 

[McClintoc]

I'm curious about SSD's as well as I am upgrading my rig and am going to to put in an SSD. First question is, do they play well with HDD's? I want to use the SSD for Windows 7 install and a few games. I already have a 750GB WD Caviar HDD that will be used for file storage. Should I build my new rig with just the SSD and get Windows up and running then go back in and install my HDD or will it be ok to put both in? They are both SATA, if that matters.

 

[[LYL]Homer]

I recommend a clean install. It's not like it will take that long on an SSD and it ensures you don't end up wasting more time down the road trying to fix what the cloning could screw up.

This, just do it. Don't forget to set your system to AHCI.

 

[Damar]

This, just do it. Don't forget to set your system to AHCI.

Ah yes, forgot the AHCI setting, also something to be aware of! Thanks!

I'm curious about SSD's as well as I am upgrading my rig and am going to to put in an SSD. First question is, do they play well with HDD's? I want to use the SSD for Windows 7 install and a few games. I already have a 750GB WD Caviar HDD that will be used for file storage. Should I build my new rig with just the SSD and get Windows up and running then go back in and install my HDD or will it be ok to put both in? They are both SATA, if that matters.

I usually just put the OS drive (SSD) into a new build, install the OS, drivers, and get it running smoothly, then plug in my 3-4 other drives and let the OS find them. Should also work fine if you decide to just plug both all in and install. I just like to minimize things in case I run into issues during the OS install. If those extra drives aren't connected it's one less thing I have to check if I hit a problem.