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New SSD setup

O

omghaxcode

Senior member
I just got my first SSD and I have a few concerns. I'd like to use my 160 Intel 320 series SSD as my main drive for programs and OS and my 2 traditional WD Velociraptors as bulk storage. I read that it is important to set the SATA controller in BIOS to AHCI mode instead of the IDE mode.

Does that mean that I can't use my traditional HDDs? Will AHCI prevent my HDDs to work properly?

Thanks
 
Well I changed it to AHCI mode from IDE then booted to my main disk drive (vratpor) and I got a bsod instantly. I changed it back to IDE and it worked fine. I haven't installed anything on the SSD yet.
 
AHCI mode typically needs the right drivers to work well, or at all.

Based on the assumption that you are running Windows 7, both the SSD and your regular hard drives should work better (Faster/ more efficiently) than regular IDE if you do a fresh install of windows

(Also assuming that you install Win with only the SSD attached, then attach and format your regular HDD's, note that your choice of SSD is TRIM aware and runs on SATA2)
 
Thanks, are there any tips I should be aware of? I remember there was something about disabling a windows feature to extend the lifetime of the drive.
 
I'm having an issue... I can't install windows. I removed the HDDs and booted to my install disk. When I get to the stage of having it actually install I get the following message:
2011-12-29_15-50-21_882.jpg
 
Delete the existing partition, create a new one and install to that new partition.

If that doesn't work, put the SATA drivers for your board on a USB drive, load the Windows installer with the USB drive plugged in, and then where it says "Load Driver", select your SATA driver, then do the partition/install stuff.
 
I tried deleting the partition and loading the driver. Neither worked. I'm getting the same errors. I can't install windows 7 on my new SSD
 
Check your Mobo manual to make sure you're connected to the correct SATA ports and that you have your BIOS set up correctly.
 
Is the drive partitioned using GPT or MBR? If your BIOS doesn't support GPT mode boot, you will get this type of error.

As for the secure erase, a lot of motherboards automatically block it during drive detection at POST. To get around this, disconnect the SATA cable from the drive (leave power connected) boot up the PC into your OS (e.g. linux live CD) then, once the OS is up and running, connect the SATA cable. Then try a secure erase.
 
Darnit - I was going to buy that board at one time but held off because of an SSD issue I had found. Now I can't find the link - my favorites are a mess and my google-fu isn't turning up anything.

Have you tried both the Intel and the Jmicron controller?
 
Last edited:
I had the same message and moved the sata connection to a different spot and everything worked fine 🙂
 
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