Migrating to an SSD
Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Yousuf Khan |
Migrating to an SSD
On Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:20:48 -0400, Yousuf Khan
wrote: Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Yousuf Khan You can simply clone your system drive as I did at first when I upgraded all my systems but that is not always the best option. You need to know about SSD partition alignment http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...alignment.html http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ndows-7-a.html Al. |
Migrating to an SSD
On 3/23/2012 10:20 PM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Yousuf Khan Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD. The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes. (I have two SSDs (120G each) in systems that I'm going to "reorganize", as soon as I figure out a reasonable way to accomplish the task. There seem to be significant differences in setup between various mfrs ssd drives. I'm still researching this one! I've run across two different recommended cluster sizes, 1K and 4K. (rounded size, not actual) A comment I ran across was that AMDs controller does not pass the Trim command. |
Migrating to an SSD
"nothing but net" wrote in message hx... The OP didn't say which SSD he has, so for example... with an Intel SSD one would transfer the OS to the SSD with Intel's utility to do that (an older version of Acronis True Image, or use a newer version if on hand) - which will take care of partition alignment. The Intel SSD Toolbox will take care of ensuring that everything (Windows) is configured correctly for optimal operation. I've found that the Intel toolbox does not modify the Windows 7 defrag schedule. I've had to manually turn off defragging via the disk properties tools tab. |
Migrating to an SSD
On 24/03/2012 1:20 PM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Yousuf Khan On a new SSD, first I had to create a partition and format the drive. I then used Acronis trueimage Home 2012 to clone my laptop's HD to the SSD. Then swapped the drives and the SSD booted up just fine. Then Windows recognised a new drive in the system and loaded the drivers for the SSD quite happily. then rebooted and just enjoyed the incredible speed. It was as simple as that. Windows 7 has TRIM support built in. My SSD is a Corsair Performance3 256 GB device, on a Toshiba Portege R830 Laptop using Intel Core i5, and Win 7 Professional 64 Bit. Also have 8GB RAM. Also, once I had it working, I installed SSD tweaker from http://elpamsoft.com/Downloads.aspx?Name=SSD%20Tweaker and ran that. Oh, you might want to also run ATTO Disk Benchmark before and after too, to see the speed increas for yourself. It's free. My laptop used to take 10 min and more to boot up from cold to useable. Now it does a full reboot in under a minute. hth |
Migrating to an SSD
You will see a LOT of opinions, some good, some not so. For my
installation, I decided on the drive, and then followed the manufacturers recommendations for installation, setup and configuration. For me that meant a clean install and load. So before creating your own install procedure, read up. On 3/23/2012 9:20 PM, Yousuf Khan wrote: Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Yousuf Khan |
Migrating to an SSD
On 3/23/2012 7:20 PM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Yousuf Khan Recently did the same with a drive that had become too small to hold my windows7.I installed a new Intel 120 gig ssd into my "box' and then using the included Intel migration software it took approx 15 minutes or less to migrate my boot drive to the new ssd. I then rebooted and changed the boot order.At that point it changed my new drive to c: and changed the old drive to L:. Worked perfectly and after 1 month I formatted the old drive and it is now storage. Intel Migration Software is just a free somewhat limited version of Acronis I believe and it is updated frequently.I was leery about doing it but I found it was amazingly easy and required very little on my part to perform this. What brand of ssd did you purchase Yousuf? |
Migrating to an SSD
On 24/03/2012 3:16 AM, Allen Drake wrote:
You can simply clone your system drive as I did at first when I upgraded all my systems but that is not always the best option. You need to know about SSD partition alignment http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...alignment.html http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ndows-7-a.html Good info, I'll read through these. Yousuf Khan |
Migrating to an SSD
On 24/03/2012 3:27 AM, charlie wrote:
Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD. The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes. That's actually something I was thinking about. Should I move things like the swapfile, Thunderbird data, and just "User" folder in general, off to regular storage? Yousuf Khan |
Migrating to an SSD
In hx,
nothing but net wrote: That post is pretty much proof that comments one runs across should be taken with a grain of salt. The OP didn't say which SSD he has, so for example... with an Intel SSD one would transfer the OS to the SSD with Intel's utility to do that (an older version of Acronis True Image, or use a newer version if on hand) - which will take care of partition alignment... I never found any older version of Acronis Tue Image get the partition alignment right on an SSD. And the latest one I have is 2011. I am not sure of 2012 gets it right or not. -- Bill Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2 Centrino Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz - 2GB - Windows XP SP3 |
Migrating to an SSD
On Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:20:48 -0400, Yousuf Khan
wrote: Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However, I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7 needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else? Windows 7 supports trim, no problem. The issue that matters is that a simple copy onto the drive will produce a misaligned layout that will be bad for performance. There are programs out there that will take a drive and correctly align the data, I have never looked into them. |
Migrating to an SSD
On Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:27:30 -0400, charlie wrote:
Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD. The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes. (I have two SSDs (120G each) in systems that I'm going to "reorganize", as soon as I figure out a reasonable way to accomplish the task. That's the theory at least but even though I didn't do anything to keep the dynamic stuff off the SSDs I'm happy with how they are performing. I have a 256gb that hosts my Win7 system and a 128gb that hosts two virtual machines. They've been in use for a year now and I've managed to write so much to the 128gb one that it's life is down to 99%. The 256gb is still at 100%. |
Migrating to an SSD
In ,
Loren Pechtel wrote: They've been in use for a year now and I've managed to write so much to the 128gb one that it's life is down to 99%. The 256gb is still at 100%. What are you using that tells you what the wear level is? -- Bill Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2 Centrino Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz - 2GB - Windows XP SP3 |
Migrating to an SSD
On Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:16:44 -0400, Yousuf Khan
wrote: On 24/03/2012 3:16 AM, Allen Drake wrote: You can simply clone your system drive as I did at first when I upgraded all my systems but that is not always the best option. You need to know about SSD partition alignment http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...alignment.html http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ndows-7-a.html Good info, I'll read through these. Yousuf Khan Did you mention which SSD you have? I just received number 10 a few days ago. I have mostly Crucial and have had to update firmware twice so far. Not a problem though. |
Migrating to an SSD
On Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:25:32 -0400, Yousuf Khan
wrote: On 24/03/2012 3:27 AM, charlie wrote: Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD. The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes. That's actually something I was thinking about. Should I move things like the swapfile, Thunderbird data, and just "User" folder in general, off to regular storage? Yousuf Khan I would think it would depend on the capacity of the SSD. I use 256GB SSDs and so far I have only used 60 GB. I do have backup HDDs installed along with USB3 external for large video and music, etc. I kept all the system files and document and download folders intact. |
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