Adding a SSD, need to confirm somethings and ask some questions.

I'm adding a 256 840 pro into M17x R4 (I could put this in the with the other 17 threads, but only one question relates to it), and I have never managed two partitions, let alone two separate drives and since many of you guys have done this multiple times this is probable a good to place ask.

I understand there are going to be a few thread already relating to some of my points, just be easier to have it in one thread.

I'll start with the easy stuff and work my down.

1) I'm still running BIOS A04, (Using since July 2012). I haven't keep up with the release notes, but is there any major advantage, guess I would flash it right away. Other than then that, I wouldn't see much of advantage unless there is a problem. (Has been working fine so far)

2) So when going to pop the SSD in, does it matter which bay it is put it too. Some people say it does, others say it doesn't. I don't see a problem if you don't swap them as long you change the boot order through the BIOS.

3) Some other simple things, switch to AHCI before you load install windows on it, and once that is done, it is partition off 30% of the free space into unformatted space, correct?

4) Consensus is a fresh install of windows correct? That being asked, I'm going to assume that this is still reliable: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html
-Should I have all the drives download before install windows? I guess I could have them sit on the HDD.

Now I feel like this is the part I would stop and say "How do I approach this now?"

5) So now that the SSD is set up to factory like state, how do you go from moving previous files and programs from the HDD to the SSD + HDD? I do have an external drive to old all of my HDD files. When I moved from my old desktop to this, I just use Windows 7 easy transfer, and it worked fairly well, but this situation is a bit different. How did you guys do it? I guess this kinda goes along with move files and programs between SSD + HDD (How much of problem is window's addressing when programs, steam games and files move.) I'll assume somewhere along the line, a formatting of the HDD came along. ( Was browsing around, and found a few threads on Seven about keeping the user files on the HDD, didn't read to deep though)

6) Obviously the HDD will be reformatted, no need for two copies of windows, right? That being asked, is there any reason on keep a image or clone of the original HDD once every thing is going smooth? (Having some current driver issues right now?)


7) Keep this general as I'm starting to get burnt out thinking about this, Alien Respawn. Assuming you guys have it installed. Any thing I need to now before hand? I made a basic one of my HDD when i first got it, that is about it.

Anything else, please add. I appreciate the help.


Also, anyone have a good 1103 driver?

 

can't really comment on this as I don't have an r4 and haven't been keeping up with their bios's. Hopefully someone else can chime in here.

It really shouldn't matter on the r4 as both slots will run at SATA III just fine. One of the ports on the r3 was iffy and that was probably where you heard that one of the ports was better than the other.

You can run in either AHCI or RAID it really doesn't matter in the long run. I personally never did the whole formatting thing. I just try to manually try to keep my unallocated space where it should be.

I'd personally do a clean install and just follow the guide to install drivers. It's a lot quicker if you have all the drivers downloaded like you said. Saves a lot of time!!!

I personally have most of my games, documents, music. and my other stuff all backed up to one of my external hard drives so I can always recover and reinstall or recover my data if I ever need to. There is a lot of different opinions on this topic so each to their own.

If wouldn't hurt to have a backup of your old hard drive just in case, but if you already have an install disc and all your data backed up, its kinda redundant.

I accidentally deleted it and have never really used it. I much prefer to reinstall windows than try to use an image. Its to easy for stuff to go wrong.

My r3 has been rock solid on the latest driver from the killer website on windows 8.1. Other people around here have had mixed results though.

I've been up for almost 18 hours straight not so I hope most of this is useful and makes sense. and congrats on the new SSD.

 

Thanks for the help as always bigtonyman Awesome reply!

 

no prob man its what I'm here for

 

I agree with everything that bigtonyman has said but would like to add a couple of comments.

Regarding the copy of Windows on your HDD, it only takes up a paltry 1.5 GB and if you don't really need that extra space why delete it. It provides you an alternate method of starting your computer in case you have a problem with either the SSD or the Windows installed on the SSD. All you need to do is change the boot order in BIOS and your computer is running again. That is not a suggestion but just a thought.

If I am not going to be using RAID then I always set my BIOS to AHCI. The difference is probably not measurable but in my opinion RAID is for RAID and if there is no difference between AHCI and RAID then why do they always include the option to change it?

And finally you can't have too many backups of EVERYTHING! I would make a copy of everything before you start and then make another backup of your C Drive once you have it all set up and working well.

 

Thanks for the additional input man. +rep