First Time installing SSD

I know.. noobish title from a noob hehe. Im finally getting my R3 in about 2 days and i've been doing A LOT of research on the net and this forums about the SDD. Just ordered a Crucial 128GB M4 SSD which will come the same day my R3 comes... just little nervous and seeking some advice as this will be my first time opening up a laptop (more nervous since its an ALIENWARE)...

I intend to use the SSD as primary boot/os and for games. HDD for movies/pics/songs

Enough rambling and please correct me if im wrong.
Steps:

1. Open laptop, take the Original 320GB SSD out of Port 1 and install the SSD to Port 1. (i heard port 0 is not SATA 6GB..)
2. Install the orignal HDD to Port 0
3. F2 to Bios and set as: RAID
4. Power off
5. Reboot with Windows 7 install disc

I have the links on this forums about the disk installing step and several optimizing know hows for the SSD so i dont need to worry about that, but i was just wondering if the steps were correct?

Or do i need to reformat the orignal HDD before replacing it THEN install the ssd?

Sorry guys any help would be MUCH appreciated!

 

I have almost the exact same setup as you,what i do is,I install the SSD in slot 1 without replacing the original HDD.Using win7 install disc,i went into setup & reformat both HDD & SSD(perform alien respawn first!!),then proceed with installing OS in the SSD,while keeping the HDD as data disc for games,movies,etc...
As for RAID or AHCI setting,i am using AHCI.Most people have no issues using either setting,so its up to own preference.
Regarding the steps for optimizing your SSD,there so many conflicting methods so its up to yourself to believe if they are working or not,either by practical use or intensive testing.
Oh BTW,your steps are correct.

 

Both ports are SATA 6GB, but for some reason, many people have trouble with SSD connected to port0, including myself.

 

First make sure the SSD firmware is 0002 and follow steps below.

Just put it in port 1. Set mode to AHCI. Reboot with Windows Disk. Format both. Install windows. Disable pagefile and hibernation. Install drivers except the video and cc driver, not all drivers are on the resource disk. Update windows with everything it can find. Install video an cc drivers. DONE. It will take a couple of hours so take your time.

Did the same thing with the same SSD.

 

srry but again im very new to this... how can i make sure the firewamre is 0002? do i install the the firmware and update it after i install the ssd? sorry :S

 

There is a sticker on the SSD telling the firmware version. Either 0001 or 0002.

If its 0001 then download the firmware burn it to a cd, install SSD and boot of optical drive, follow instructions and done. Make sure you are not in raid mode.

 

If you use 2 hard drives, then you will need to put your SSD in Port 1 after installing windows and put your other hard drive in Port 0.

With updating firmware, I recommend updating it right after installing Windows. Go the crucial site and download the 0002 firmware for the 128GB M4 drive. Burn it to a CD, restart, boot from CD and install. Then go into Windows and install your drivers. Make sure you follow the guide on this site for the driver installation order and follow the SSD review guide for optimization.

 

Thanks for all your advice guys really appreciated. Im so excited as my ssd AND the R3 is landing tomorrow. Still kind of nervous and there is literally no good installation video in youtube i mean i know it's just a ssd install and not rocket science and ive built desktop comps for years haha...HDD and it's setting has always been my weakest area and completely new to SSD world...

Couple more questions... LOL

1. For clarfication sakes, SSD = PORT 1 and HDD = PORT 0 correct? ive heard one or the other so many diff times... (to make sure its fully taking advantage of SATA3 6)

2. Ghosting will save me a lot of time and work but i also heard that ghosting a ssd is generally not recommended...so would a fresh clean install be more advisable?

3. Lastly do i change bios setting to RAID or AHCI (also been told many different ways)

Thanks guys!

 

1. SATA6gbs is in both slots, doesn't matter which slot you put it in as long as it works for you.

2. Fresh installs are always better if you do them correctly.

3. Whichever works. RAID works for me on the SSD, AHCI doesn't.

 

1. Yes, SSD will be using port 1 after installing in port 0 (what I did and it worked after everything else failed)

2. Ghosting is not recommend because it does not align the partition properly when formatting. I am not 100% sure about this but I think the new acronis program can do it. I am also sure there is another way to do realign the partition so you can safely restore a disk image.

3. Keep BIOS settings set to RAID always

 

Thanks so much guys. After what it seemed like a million years of waiting finally got my R3 today! Very satisified so far - was hoping my M4 was comming today too but i guess it's comming tomorrow... so excited!

One last question, promise this is last haha..

I noticed a pretty nifty thing called Alienrespawn and was wondering if that would be a good way to "clone" the SSD? Would that cause alignment issue too? If not - im guessing i need to format the original 320GB HDD before applying the respawn?

Thanks so much guys!

 

Just a note about if you're installing Windows 7 Ultimate. Only have the SSD that you intend to install windows to connected. Ultimate creates a repair partition of around 100mb on disk 0 by default.

So by only having one drive connected it will force windows to create the repair partition on your OS SSD.

edit: AlienRespawn is basically the same thing as cloning/ghosting. If I remember correctly, its really a derivative of Acronis rebranded by Alienware. If you would like to restore your hdd to factory state you can use respawn. You don't have to format it before you do, the software does all this for you. Actually before you do anything I would create your backup discs through respawn so you have the option to restore factory state if ever you wish to.