Run Utility or Not?

[halw]

Just finished a new build. It currently has a 128GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD and a WD Black 1TB hd.

Since the system seems to be running fine, my question is, do I bother running the utility that came with the Samsung?

While I still have your attention, what would be the best way to format the hd? Use a linux live cd or do the Win7 thing. My plan for this drive is to partition approximately half to use for data storage for window and leave the remainder unformatted for future use. Maybe installing linux or something of the same ilk.

 

[Elixer]

No real reason to install the samsung util, it does check for firmware updates, but other than that, it really isn't needed.

As for the HD, doesn't make a difference, just format it in windows is fine, partition it any way you want.
If you want to dual boot, then all you really have to do is, when you install linux, you tell it to use the HD for the boot loader, and not the SSD. Then, when you want to boot into linux, you just change the boot order in your BIOS to point to the HD first, instead of the SSD. Some BIOS versions also allow you to hit a hotkey to show a boot menu to allow you to pick a drive to boot from.
While this isn't required, it does save some headaches over trying to have the boot loaders play nice with each other if located on the same device.
You can absolutely not bother with the BIOS boot order changes as I described, it is mainly a preference thing.

 

[halw]

Elixer, thank you for the reply.

Went ahead and partitioned the HD leaving half unformatted. As for the Samsung util, I did originally install it but, subsequently had to reinstall Win7 and didn't reload after I saw what it was all about.