Correct steps to install new SSD?

3595 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Lysdexik, Dec 4, 2009

jwwpua

Discussion Starter · Dec 4, 2009

I'm currently running 2 HD's in a matrix raid using the ICH8R controller:

200GB - RAID 0 (C: - OS)
640GB - RAID 1 (D: - Storage)

I'm installing an Intel x25-m 80GB ssd. Are these the right steps?

Disconnect existing HDs
Install SSD on ICH8R controller
Confirm detection in BIOS
Set mode to AHCI, reboot
Update SSD firmware
Install Windows 7
Shut down, connect old HD's on same controller
Change mode to RAID in BIOS
Boot order: SSD, RAID0, RAID1
Boot up and have:
- SSD = C:
- RAID0 = D:
- RAID1 = E:
Click to expand...

The SSD should still have TRIM support even though the controller is running in RAID mode, right?

Thanks

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You should connect the SSD to SATA and install the firmware as the first step, I think you will have to install the OS first before you set AHCI mode unless you have the drivers installed already. I'm not 100% though, but I think you'll need to do a registry fix before putting in AHCI mode.

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jwwpua

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lysdexik

I was hoping that the Windows 7 installation would provide the AHCI drivers. Do you have a link for info about the registry fix?

Thanks

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Lysdexik

· #4 · Dec 4, 2009

It just so happens that I do:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

I just installed my X25-M yesterday, I first installed the firmware and then did a fresh install of Windows 7 X64, I tried to boot it in AHCI and got a BSOD. I haven't tried the fix yet but from a guy I was corresponding with about the same issue, the fix works.

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Old Hippie

· #5 · Dec 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwwpua

I was hoping that the Windows 7 installation would provide the AHCI drivers. Do you have a link for info about the registry fix?

Thanks

Here ya go.

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Lysdexik

· #6 · Dec 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Hippie

Here ya go.

You should post the whole address instead of Hyperlinks randomly named so people know what they are actually clicking on. I realize that if you hover, it shows the address, but you really never can be too careful on the Internet today.

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jwwpua

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 4, 2009

Thanks for the link. Do you know if TRIM should work if the controller is using RAID mode? I have to use that in order to maintain my current raid. I read somewhere that RAID mode includes features of AHCI, but I also read that TRIM doesn't work with raids.

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RonindeBeatrice

· #8 · Dec 4, 2009

Weird, I didn't need to install any AHCI drivers for my windows 7.

Regarding the TRIM in RAID issue: It could go either way, however I want to lean toward it not working. The controller is still in RAID mode even though the Intel will be a standalone drive.

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Old Hippie

· #9 · Dec 4, 2009

Quote:

I read somewhere that RAID mode includes features of AHCI, but I also read that TRIM doesn't work with raids.

I was just wondering about this yesterday.....the reason That TRIM doesn't work in a RAID array is because TRIM can't "see" the individual drives BUT if a drive is not in an array I would think it would work.

Hopefully someone knows for sure.

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Lysdexik

· #10 · Dec 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonindeBeatrice

I'm leaning towards this. I wonder if you get like a perc5i card and hook your raid array to it, if the intel can stand alone on the mobo's controller and have TRIM still work. I'm still learning about hard drives and all the technical details so I could be way off base.

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