Sorry it's another noob drive question. I currently have an F3 that has 2 partitions. I intend to keep those, with the current C: being kept for programs and the D: as my media/documents drive. I just wanted to see what best aproach for adding a new SSD (60Gb) and how to keep the relatively small drive clutter free. My intention was to disconect the F3, connect the SSD and do a clean install onto it. I was hoping to rename it during the set up to B: I'd then connect the F3 and format the C:, having backed up anything important onto the D: The only things that will be going on the SSD are, OS and 1 MMO everything else will be loaded onto my C: By default I always save docs and stuff to my D: hence there is usually very little in the default 'My Document' folders, so I probably won't reassign those. Is there any other way to reduce the amount of clutter on my SSD? Can I not install elements of Win 7, in particular IE? (I hate it and never use it). Do I change the page file to the SSD? Can I change FF internet cache files to go on my C:? Once my OS and game are set up should I make an image of the drive for back up purposes? Is there anything else I should know, do to keep my new SSD in tip top shape? Any help/ advice appreciated.
B: is reserved for floppies and C: is generally reserved for your boot drive. Letters can be reassigned on the fly so your Samsung could be D:&E: or any other two letters. I use P->T for my partitions. Yes, you should be able to change your cache etc for FF to your SSD. I don't know if anyone's found a way to slipstream Win7 yet. You can uninstall loads of features once it's on, but as for making it any lighter in the first place (to save some more space on your SSD) I don't think so. Once you've finished I'd strongly recommend imaging and then regularly backing up (with the Win7 backup tool) your SSD, although if it has TRIM enabled then you shouldn't need to re-image that often.
Be careful of programs that will use your c drive to store files by default. The main culprit I have seen is iTunes - by default it will hold all of your podcasts, videos, etc within the iTunes folder in your documents folder. It is a pain to move. I keep any programs that I use all the time, plus any needed at startup on the SSD. Firefox is on the SSD, as is my antivirus, cloud backup service, etc. The rest you can install to your mechanical drive.
Thanks for the tip though I think I am going to have to be even more miserly when it comes to waht goes on the boot drive as mine is not as big as yours
Sorry to bump my own thread but I have another question. AHCI setup, do I do it in the bios prior to installing the SSD? I know you can do it afterwards via regedit but is it easier to do it when you are installing win 7? Edit: Now I am begining to flap, what with what to keep on and what to turn off ie. superfetch, indexing etc. Is there a decent guide anywhere as to what should and shouldn't be done.
Yes Windows 7 should have the relevant drivers to setup your drive in AHCI mode from the beginning. As for superfetch, pagefile etc, its difficult as there are many different opinions as to what makes a difference and what doesnt. Do some research and come to your own conclusions, but basically windows will run fine (and fast!) with the default settings. Check if your SSD has a firmware update aswell. If you are worried about space on the drive, then consider following this guide http://www.w7forums.com/change-location-my-documents-folder-t338.html to change your default My Documents folder location over to your hard drive. And yes definitely do regular backups once you have it all setup the way you want it! Hope that helps
Indeed it does thanks. I am going to switch over to AHCI prior to installing the OS on the SSD. I will probably leave the My Docs where it is for simplicity as both myself and the misses always save our docs, media ect. to the D: a seperate partion on my F3. The only thing that gets put in the MY Docs on the C: are my Game setup files which take very little space. Thanks for the advice.
