My SSD RMA

[Shmee]

Finally got a replacement for the OCZ agility 2 that died. OCZ sent me a replacement agility 2 in retail packaging, so I know its new

Anyways, currently running my system on a spare Adata 64 GB S599. My question is, is there an easy way to migrate my windows install to the new SSD, without reinstalling? Must be a free option. I would like there to be no alignment/performance degradation issues.

Or, would it simply be best to reinstall everything?

 

[Elixer]

OCZ does have a excellent RMA process...too bad I had to use it 2 times already.

Anyway, you can clone it to the new SSD from the old one, or reinstall. Your choice.

 

[groberts101]

I've used Acronis for years and it works well.

Free True Image trials usually let you create a recovery CD which will have the full version(without expiration date) running from ram. At least all the previous versions did anyways. Give it a go.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/#tryorbuy

 

[Motorheader]

As a test I just did something similar recently. I downloaded the most recent Paragon Backup and Recovery 2012 free edition. During the install click regitration and you can get the Key delivered to e-mail address. After installation click advanced button in the lower left and create the Recovery Boot Disk at that time. It worked for me from a 256gb SSD to a 160gb drive no problem - everything was aligned and booted first time.

 

[Shmee]

thanks, I used the aronis trial, and all seemed to go fine. How do I make sure it is properly allinged though?

 

[Blain]

OCZ does have a excellent RMA process...

They've had years to perfect that process.

 

[Motorheader]

Run Diskpar using the -i switch and divide by 4096. About a third of the way down on this page shows a screenshot and instructions. There is a link to diskpar as well if you need that.

http://club.myce.com/f138/ssd-faq-297856/

 

[corkyg]

thanks, I used the aronis trial, and all seemed to go fine. How do I make sure it is properly allinged though?

That's real easy. Just connect it up and boot to it. If it works, it is aligned properly. Acronis TI 2012 clones alignment correctly.

 

[Motorheader]

That's real easy. Just connect it up and boot to it. If it works, it is aligned properly. Acronis TI 2012 clones alignment correctly.

Limited personal experience in live and testing - booting does not always guarantee alignment. Things like the tool(s) used (if it is AFD aware for example) and the original OS.

 

[Gillbot]

That's real easy. Just connect it up and boot to it. If it works, it is aligned properly. Acronis TI 2012 clones alignment correctly.

No

Limited personal experience in live and testing - booting does not always guarantee alignment. Things like the tool(s) used (if it is AFD aware for example) and the original OS.

This ^

On my first SSD clone, my performance was horrendous, like IDE like speeds or less. After some research I found out the SSD wasn't aligned properly after it was cloned. By using the above method and dividing it revealed it wasn't aligned. I used Gparted and fixed the alignment, performance improved tremendously.

 

[corkyg]

OK - I understand and agree. TI 2012 does align correctly, and if it boots AND performs up to standard, it is good to go. GParted is always a good way to fix alignment.

 

[Gillbot]

OK - I understand and agree. TI 2012 does align correctly, and if it boots AND performs up to standard, it is good to go. GParted is always a good way to fix alignment.

I used Acronis and had this same assumption, but for some reason it did not align right. Not sure if it was a bad version of Acronis or what, but I haven't had an issue since that one time so I don't know why or what happened there.

 

[Zap]

I used Acronis and had this same assumption, but for some reason it did not align right. Not sure if it was a bad version of Acronis or what, but I haven't had an issue since that one time so I don't know why or what happened there.

Was it from a HDD to an SSD?

 

[MontyAC]

thanks, I used the aronis trial, and all seemed to go fine. How do I make sure it is properly allinged though?

You can use SSDtool to check.

 

[Gillbot]

Was it from a HDD to an SSD?

Yes, I also tried SSD to SSD. It only did it that one time, and I don't know why. Haven't had an issue since.

 

[wpcoe]

I've used Acronis for years and it works well.

Free True Image trials usually let you create a recovery CD which will have the full version(without expiration date) running from ram. At least all the previous versions did anyways. Give it a go.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/#tryorbuy

FWIW, I just downloaded the free trial for Acronis True Image Home 2012 and created a bootable recovery CD from the program and:

 

[Diogenes2]

If you are running Win 7, you can always use the native image backup/restore ..

No alignment problems..

 

[Shmee]

hmm, update, everything seemed to work fine for a while, and then...CRASH! kept happening off and on after loading windows, and only sometimes would the drive even show up on post. I tried a fresh install, took a while to do it, and didnt fix the issue.

I then tried a secure erase, and now I cant even install windows, keeps giving me errors or saying the windows cant be installed to the drive. Looks like I got another bad one :C

It has the latest firmware, 1.35, btw.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That's real easy. Just connect it up and boot to it. If it works, it is aligned properly. Acronis TI 2012 clones alignment correctly.

Pretty sure un-aligned partitions on SSDs still boot just fine, but when you write to the drive, it's not page-aligned, so it eats up your SSD lifespan pretty quickly.

 

[groberts101]

I then tried a secure erase, and now I cant even install windows, keeps giving me errors or saying the windows cant be installed to the drive. Looks like I got another bad one :C

Sounds like a corrupted CMOS to me and needs to be cleared completely followed by another secure erase through either the toolbox(as spare)/or with the Linux Tool.

They likelyhood of two bad drives in a row on this particular system are usually slim to none which would indicate that there is some other incompatability/power transition/signaling issues occuring there.

Should there be issues you need to work around to find stability?.. no. Can they possibly be circumvented until any player involved would fix it from the proper angle?.. you betcha!

I can help you straighten it out over at the mfgrs forum but I wouldn't be too interested in doing it here. Too many running "brand interference" around here.. although I will say it has improved somewhat as the dominant Sandforce issues have slowly been worked out.

Just sayin'.. if you want to actually do some extra work to make it stable nd keep from throwing in the towel?.. it's completely doable with the right guys advising you.

Otherwise, it may be best to move away from Sandforce controllers altogether on that particular rig/config. Another trick that many have used to prove that the drive itself isn't DOA is to reset it back to factory fresh by secure erasing.. force flashing to the very same firmware once more.. and reinstalling it in another completely different system. People are surprised to see a fully functional drive and even setting to IDE mode can do away with many of the power mgmt issues associated with the AHCI drivers additional power mgmt functions.

 

[Shmee]

hey, thanks for the heads up, if I can get it working I would like to. But what to do next? I already did a secure erase and it didnt help. I used the gparted link on OCZ site.

 

[groberts101]

go to the mfgrs forum to get help from those that have worked through many of these same issues.

For something that should just be plug and play?.. it'll probably take longer than you'd like.. but it can be done.