Fresh SSD

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I recently fell for the 128Gb 840 Pro. Haven't installed it yet. Does it have to be formatted before installing the OS? I usually hook it up to a port, computer management, format drive, etc.

Thanks

 

[tracerbullet]

I stuck Win 7 on mine today. Didn't do anything other than plug in the drive (also 128GB 840 Pro), boot from the Win 7 CD, and follow the on screen prompts for a fresh install. It did the rest on its own.

 

[KingFatty]

As a fun variation, try installing from a USB stick. I really like that method, but I was lucky to have a Win 7 installation that is easy to install from USB stick. Anyway, if you plan to re-install at all in the future, I'd say it's worth making a USB installation.

 

[dum_71]

This is what I used last week after following a link posted here.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

 

[kleinkinstein]

ODG, please don't do any Win7 installation without slipstreaming with WUD.

 

[MrX8503]

No do not format the drive. SSDs are not like HDDs.

 

[Zap]

You don't have to format an SSD or HDD to install Windows on it. Windows installer will format it properly for you.

 

[Old Hippie]

You do the same thing as with a mechanical drive.

 

[Coup27]

No do not format the drive. SSDs are not like HDDs.

So if you were to use the SSD as a storage drive, how you save anything to it without formatting it?

 

[Old Hippie]

All drives need formatted to the correct file system before use.

Usually Windows will do it for you.

No do not format the drive. SSDs are not like HDDs.

How about a link for that?

 

[ryderOCZ]

Formatting an SSD is fine, but always use "quick format". You never need/want to "full format" an SSD.

 

[bigi]

I recently fell for the 128Gb 840 Pro. Haven't installed it yet. Does it have to be formatted before installing the OS? I usually hook it up to a port, computer management, format drive, etc.

Thanks

What OS?

Win 7 - No format, just straight install.

Other OSes - depends .

 

[MrX8503]

All drives need formatted to the correct file system before use.

Usually Windows will do it for you.


How about a link for that?

http://www.overclock.net/t/1179518/seans-ssd-buyers-guide-information-thread#user_TheDosandtheDonts

Quick is ok, full isn't.

The OP should just proceed as normal and the install will do the format.

 

[Coup27]

http://www.overclock.net/t/1179518/seans-ssd-buyers-guide-information-thread#user_TheDosandtheDonts

Quick is ok, full isn't.

That's not what you said though. An SSD is useless unless it has been formatted and has a file system on it.

 

[MrX8503]

That's not what you said though. An SSD is useless unless it has been formatted and has a file system on it.

Windows 7 install will take care of the formatting for him.

 

[Coup27]

Windows 7 install will take care of the formatting for him.

Yes it will, but it would also do the same for a HDD. You said that "an SSD is not like a HDD" but in fact they are exactly the same. They both require formatting before anything can be saved to them which is contrary to what you originally said.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I just wanted to know if I was going to needlessly wear the drive. I always do a full format before any OS instillation (HDD & SSD,) I haven't done anything yet and was just curious.

 

[Coup27]

Do not do a full format on an SSD. It is pointless in every respect. Quick formats are fine and if you wanted to use your SSD as a storage device then it is essential as formatting puts a file system on the SSD to allow you to store stuff on it.

When you are in the Windows 7 installer if the SSD is empty (unallocated), pressing install will automatically create the default 100MB system partition and then a second partition with the rest of the remaining space. Both partitions will get automatically quick formatted with NTFS and both will be aligned optimally to an SSD.

If you wanted more than the traditional single user accessible partition, you can use the partition editor during the installer to make as many partitions as you want. These partitions will need formatting in the editor before you can use them. Using the format option within the editor performs a quick format on the partition with the NTFS file system.

 

[MrX8503]

Yes it will, but it would also do the same for a HDD. You said that "an SSD is not like a HDD" but in fact they are exactly the same. They both require formatting before anything can be saved to them which is contrary to what you originally said.

Not the same referencing that you shouldn't do the same things to an SSD as you would/could with an HDD.

I assumed the OP meant full format (which he did), which would needlessly wear out his SSD.

 

[Old Hippie]

I assumed the OP meant full format (which he did), which would needlessly wear out his SSD.

LOL!

Where do you guys get this MISinformation?

A full format when needed is not going to hurt anything.