First SSD - what to look out for?

[IgoByte]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone here can offer some advice. I'm getting my first-ever SSD and installing it in a Thinkpad T60. What should I be aware of before I start installing the OS? Also, which OS - XP or 7?

Thanks a lot!

 

[razel]

Just be sure ACHI is on and then install Win 7. Since you're on a laptop, your BIOS options are limited, but I have encountered a few laptops that allow switching between ACHI and IDE. After Win7 is installed and updated, run the Windows Experience Index. Do this so that Win7 will tweak itself to your SSD. Since you're on a laptop and more likely will not have any rotating HDD permanently attached feel free to go to the services and set the startup for 'Disk Defragment' to manual.

Then enjoy! As a fellow laptop user, an SSD is a must!

One more thing, I suggest throwing your old HDD onto a 2.5" enclosure for more storage.

 

[mnewsham]

Just be sure ACHI is on and then install Win 7. Since you're on a laptop, your BIOS options are limited, but I have encountered a few laptops that allow switching between ACHI and IDE. After Win7 is installed and updated, run the Windows Experience Index. Do this so that Win7 will tweak itself to your SSD. Since you're on a laptop and more likely will not have any rotating HDD permanently attached feel free to go to the services and set the startup for 'Disk Defragment' to manual.

Then enjoy! As a fellow laptop user, an SSD is a must!

One more thing, I suggest throwing your old HDD onto a 2.5" enclosure for more storage.

I just checked and on my laptop windows 7 actually wont LET me defragment my C:\ drive, it isn't even an option.

 

[razel]

I just checked and on my laptop windows 7 actually wont LET me defragment my C:\ drive, it isn't even an option.

Which is the reason to set the service to 'manual'

 

[Drsignguy]

Zaps thread, http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2069761 will give you plenty of information about the SSD's. Follow what razel had said FIRST as this is what you need to do right from the start anyway. after that just remember not to run over and over and over again those crazy bench tests. Your bench test Will be as soon as you boot into windows. Yes, you too will be amazed on the difference it has made for your lappy!

 

[JBDan]

I used Zap's sticky guide and I couldn't be happier. I got a corsair force 60 and I dig it a lot!

 

[IgoByte]

Thank you very much, guys. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Emulex]

should be very uneventful unless you have a trim drive with a pata bridge on a fresh win7 install. then it could get tricky