128GB SSD Clean Win 7 Install from included DVD only 101GB free?

Windows is only seeing 119GB available and only has 101GB free. It looks like the Disk installed 17GB worth of data for a clean Windows 7 install?

ETA I know that you never get the full size of the HDD, but it seems a bit high on usage and usage? I haven't even installed any Alienware software yet.

 

128gb is the base 10 calculation
119gb is the base 2 (binary) calculation

if i want a specific amount i always go the next size up because then i at least have that amount of space. 17gb sounds about right for a clean win 7 install.

 

I guess I'm getting old lol. I remember win 3.1 OS sizes still.

 

i was asking about the win7 size on another forum and they said that 17gb is about right.

 

Now I just need to figure out all of the Alienware software and drivers that are necessary.

Does it matter what order I install stuff in?

I installed an SSD. What SATA driver/software should I download and install? They list 4 of them.



I have an R1.

 

shouldn't matter really what order you install in.

 

You may want to erase any restore points after a clean install of Win 7. My base install of win7 after getting rid of restore points is 14GB before I start installing other stuff. I have an intel g2 80GB. It shows 74.4GB before I install and 59.9GB after my install.

 

For Chipsets should I download and install the Intel driver?

 

the chipset the m11x uses is the QS57: look for that on the intel page.

 

Do I need a SATA driver installed? I only see a Samsung one listed and I have a Kingston installed.

Nvidia HD audio driver or Realtek driver?

It also lists 2 wireless drivers.

 

The SATA Drivers on Dell/Alienware's support page are not for your SSD, only for HDDs included with the laptop.

You probably don't really need any SATA specific drivers, but if you're really looking for some, goto the manufacturer's website and get them there.

 

At least I have that part out of the way now.

Nvidia HD audio driver or Realtek driver?

I am now missing 3 things that have examination marks left. I'm not sure what they are.

 

To save space on a windows install with the SSD delete the restore points, reduce the page file size (its usually equal to your ram size, so if you have 4gb of ram you will have a 4gb page file), and disable hibernate. You can google disabling hibernate in windows 7. Windows uses a gig or two for the hibernate file it seems. Sleep will still work fine.

I've got the M11x with a 128Gb SSD and the Mac Air with the SSD and Ive done that to save some space.

 

How do I ensure hibernation is disabled? I tried following these instructions and it said it should take 30 seconds.

1. Using the start menu search box type “cmd”;
2. Right click the cmd program and select Run as Administrator; and
3. In the command line type “powercfg -h off”.
This will take about 30 seconds it has finished once the command prompt reappears.

Mine just instantly went to the next line. I tried it without and with the ""s.

How do I ensure it is off?

 

Well the quick way would have been to see if you got the HD space back, but if you go to the shutdown command list in the start menu hibernate should not be there. Just sleep, log off, restart, and etc

 

Excellent it looks like it is now disabled