Migrating to an SSD

[Yousuf Khan]

Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy
system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However,
I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are
some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster
sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7
needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right
away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else?

Yousuf Khan

 

[Allen Drake]

Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy
system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However,
I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are
some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster
sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7
needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right
away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else?

Yousuf Khan

You can simply clone your system drive as I did at first when I
upgraded all my systems but that is not always the best option. You
need to know about SSD partition alignment
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

Al.

 

[charlie]

Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy
system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However,
I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are
some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster
sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7
needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right
away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else?

Yousuf Khan

Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important
consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good
for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on
that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD.
The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes.

(I have two SSDs (120G each) in systems that I'm going to "reorganize",
as soon as I figure out a reasonable way to accomplish the task.

There seem to be significant differences in setup between various mfrs
ssd drives. I'm still researching this one!

I've run across two different recommended cluster sizes, 1K and 4K.
(rounded size, not actual)

A comment I ran across was that AMDs controller does not pass the Trim
command.

 

[nothing but net]

Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important
consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good
for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on
that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD.
The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes.

(I have two SSDs (120G each) in systems that I'm going to "reorganize",
as soon as I figure out a reasonable way to accomplish the task.

There seem to be significant differences in setup between various mfrs
ssd drives. I'm still researching this one!

I've run across two different recommended cluster sizes, 1K and 4K.
(rounded size, not actual)

A comment I ran across was that AMDs controller does not pass the Trim
command.

That post is pretty much proof that comments one runs across should be
taken with a grain of salt.

The OP didn't say which SSD he has, so for example...
with an Intel SSD one would transfer the OS to the SSD with Intel's
utility to do that (an older version of Acronis True Image, or use a
newer version if on hand) - which will take care of partition
alignment. The Intel SSD Toolbox will take care of ensuring that
everything (Windows) is configured correctly for optimal operation.

I have two SSD and a HDD - on the HDD I put Temp, Temporary Internet
Files, backup files and some other odds and ends. (before someone has
a stroke, backups are also kept off-computer)

But even without moving some stuff to a HDD, I would fully expect the
SSD's to last longer than the life of the computer.

 

[Dave-UK]

The OP didn't say which SSD he has, so for example...
with an Intel SSD one would transfer the OS to the SSD with Intel's
utility to do that (an older version of Acronis True Image, or use a
newer version if on hand) - which will take care of partition
alignment. The Intel SSD Toolbox will take care of ensuring that
everything (Windows) is configured correctly for optimal operation.

I've found that the Intel toolbox does not modify the Windows 7 defrag schedule.
I've had to manually turn off defragging via the disk properties tools tab.

 

[dweebken]

Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy
system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However,
I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are
some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster
sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7
needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right
away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else?

Yousuf Khan

On a new SSD, first I had to create a partition and format the drive. I
then used Acronis trueimage Home 2012 to clone my laptop's HD to the
SSD. Then swapped the drives and the SSD booted up just fine. Then
Windows recognised a new drive in the system and loaded the drivers for
the SSD quite happily. then rebooted and just enjoyed the incredible
speed. It was as simple as that. Windows 7 has TRIM support built in.

My SSD is a Corsair Performance3 256 GB device, on a Toshiba Portege
R830 Laptop using Intel Core i5, and Win 7 Professional 64 Bit. Also
have 8GB RAM.

Also, once I had it working, I installed SSD tweaker from
http://elpamsoft.com/Downloads.aspx?Name=SSD Tweaker
and ran that.

Oh, you might want to also run ATTO Disk Benchmark before and after too,
to see the speed increas for yourself. It's free.

My laptop used to take 10 min and more to boot up from cold to useable.
Now it does a full reboot in under a minute.


hth

 

[Bob I]

You will see a LOT of opinions, some good, some not so. For my
installation, I decided on the drive, and then followed the
manufacturers recommendations for installation, setup and configuration.
For me that meant a clean install and load. So before creating your own
install procedure, read up.

 

[Drew]

Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy
system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However,
I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are
some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster
sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7
needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right
away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else?

Yousuf Khan

Recently did the same with a drive that had become too small to hold my
windows7.I installed a new Intel 120 gig ssd into my "box' and then
using the included Intel migration software it took approx 15 minutes or
less to migrate my boot drive to the new ssd. I then rebooted and
changed the boot order.At that point it changed my new drive to c: and
changed the old drive to L:. Worked perfectly and after 1 month I
formatted the old drive and it is now storage. Intel Migration Software
is just a free somewhat limited version of Acronis I believe and it is
updated frequently.I was leery about doing it but I found it was
amazingly easy and required very little on my part to perform this.
What brand of ssd did you purchase Yousuf?

 

[Yousuf Khan]

You can simply clone your system drive as I did at first when I
upgraded all my systems but that is not always the best option. You
need to know about SSD partition alignment
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

Good info, I'll read through these.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important
consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good
for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on
that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD.
The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes.

That's actually something I was thinking about. Should I move things
like the swapfile, Thunderbird data, and just "User" folder in general,
off to regular storage?

Yousuf Khan

 

[BillW50]

In

That post is pretty much proof that comments one runs across should be
taken with a grain of salt.

The OP didn't say which SSD he has, so for example...
with an Intel SSD one would transfer the OS to the SSD with Intel's
utility to do that (an older version of Acronis True Image, or use a
newer version if on hand) - which will take care of partition
alignment...

I never found any older version of Acronis Tue Image get the partition
alignment right on an SSD. And the latest one I have is 2011. I am not
sure of 2012 gets it right or not.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Besides all of the above, there is another, perhaps quite important
consideration. SSDs are a good host for "static" files, and not so good
for dynamic ones. It would seem that windows should be reorganized on
that basis, with static directories and files on the SSD.
The registry will likely need manual editing to accommodate the changes.

(I have two SSDs (120G each) in systems that I'm going to "reorganize",
as soon as I figure out a reasonable way to accomplish the task.

That's the theory at least but even though I didn't do anything to
keep the dynamic stuff off the SSDs I'm happy with how they are
performing.

I have a 256gb that hosts my Win7 system and a 128gb that hosts two
virtual machines. They've been in use for a year now and I've managed
to write so much to the 128gb one that it's life is down to 99%. The
256gb is still at 100%.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Okay, got myself an SSD now. So I want to migrate my Windows boot drive
to it. I have access to a couple of cloning utils that can properly copy
system disks and make them bootable, so that's not a problem. However,
I'm wondering if it's really that simple? I understand that there are
some tuning that needs to be done to SSD's, such as setting its cluster
sizes, etc. Also there is something called TRIM support that Windows 7
needs to implement. Is this something that's built into Windows 7 right
away, or is it something that needs to be installed? Anything else?

Windows 7 supports trim, no problem.

The issue that matters is that a simple copy onto the drive will
produce a misaligned layout that will be bad for performance. There
are programs out there that will take a drive and correctly align the
data, I have never looked into them.

 

[BillW50]

In

They've been in use for a year now and I've managed to write so much
to the 128gb one that it's life is down to 99%. The 256gb is still at
100%.

What are you using that tells you what the wear level is?

 

[Allen Drake]

Good info, I'll read through these.

Yousuf Khan

Did you mention which SSD you have? I just received number 10 a few
days ago. I have mostly Crucial and have had to update firmware twice
so far. Not a problem though.

 

[Allen Drake]

That's actually something I was thinking about. Should I move things
like the swapfile, Thunderbird data, and just "User" folder in general,
off to regular storage?

Yousuf Khan

I would think it would depend on the capacity of the SSD. I use 256GB
SSDs and so far I have only used 60 GB. I do have backup HDDs
installed along with USB3 external for large video and music, etc.

I kept all the system files and document and download folders intact.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

That's actually something I was thinking about. Should I move things
like the swapfile, Thunderbird data, and just "User" folder in general,
off to regular storage?

Yousuf Khan

When it is said that they "are a good host" or "not so good", is that in
terms of performance, or longevity? I'd have thought that in terms of
performance, even if non-optimal, having almost any file on an SSD would
be better; but I could also believe that certain much-written files
would significantly shorted the life of the SSD, especially if not
optimised (is that what this "Trim" thing is about?).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

He spoke in sentences that made up paragraphs, with immaculate grammar and
punctuation. - Barry Cryer on Clement Freud 1924-2009, in Radio Times, 25 April
- 1 May 2009.

 

[Drew]

Windows 7 supports trim, no problem.

The issue that matters is that a simple copy onto the drive will
produce a misaligned layout that will be bad for performance. There
are programs out there that will take a drive and correctly align the
data, I have never looked into them.

Not trying to be argumentative but wondering where you got that info. My
ssd scores a 7.2 (older motherboard does not support higher speeds) on
the WEI and I would think that is pretty good for a 6 year old system. I
am running a Intel 320 series 120gig drive and my old Intel x25 40 gig
had the same score. Running any programs or even everything open and
doing any work is like changing channels on a tv, it is instantaneous.

 

[Allen Drake]

When it is said that they "are a good host" or "not so good", is that in
terms of performance, or longevity? I'd have thought that in terms of
performance, even if non-optimal, having almost any file on an SSD would
be better; but I could also believe that certain much-written files
would significantly shorted the life of the SSD, especially if not
optimised (is that what this "Trim" thing is about?).

Follow The Below Steps To Increase The Life of Your SSD Drives On
Windows 7

http://www.computerforums.org/forum...-life-your-ssd-drives-windows-7-a-208106.html


This guide is a year old so I would suggest reading as much as
possible from different authors.

 

[Allen Drake]

In

What are you using that tells you what the wear level is?

CrystalDiskInfo 4.3.0 will tell you Power On Hours. The FW update for
the Crucial SSD says it will assure there will be no more problems
when they reach 5000 hrs.

It seems many SSD manufacturers seem to quote 10,000 operating hours
for their warranties.

http://superuser.com/questions/325807/what-is-the-average-life-of-an-ssd


" Now assuming that this is lower than what the drives are actually
capable of that would still mean over a year of 24/7 running with
constant drive reading/writing. Now I don't have any stats as too
normal operating times but I doubt you'd be doing more than two hours
of constant reading/writing a day which would put the lives of the
drive at around 10 years of everyday use."

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/The-lifespan-of-an-ssd/td-p/32064

Intel's claim is actually "at least" 5 years at 20GBytes of writes per
day.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/260718-32-what-operational-lifespan