128Gb SSD Query

I've just recently purchased a new Samsung Series 9 [900X3A to be exact]. It comes with a SSD that was something I wasn't intending on buying, but as it was relatively cheap instore [last one in stock] I took a gamble.

My intention has always been to put all my music onto my computer instead of having it on a seperate external HDD that I needed on my old laptop [it only had a 40Gb hard drive...]. I don't play games or any of that, just music, web, movies [on the external HDD] and a couple other engineering related things.

While I was looking on 'My Computer' I notice that the C drive said '12.3 GB free of 96.5 GB'.

I was wondering if this is correct? I know the exact size isn't whats stipulated in the advertisement, but to loose 32GB of a 128GB drive is a shambles, my external 1TB HDD has 931GB of space, so thats 93% of it's quoted size, so assuming that with the SSD it would be closer to 115GB... that extra couple dozen GB's are quite substantial.

Also I have 46.4 GB of music on the laptop, with 12.3GB free, so from this 95.6GB with basic [as new instalation] programs and files, 36.9GB is taken up, and I'm not sure is that much?

Sorry I am not very good at all this stuff, but any information would be of use... I've trawled the internet and haven't found anything...

Cheers

Ed

 

Check your system restore allocation, you need only 2-3GB. Normally windows allocates 10% of your drive.

 

go into the start menu, type 'create and', you should see 'create and format hard disk partitions' or something similiar. open that up and show us a screenshot of it.

 

You both were right, from the screenshot I do indeed have a large partition...

Next point is how do I reduce it?

Sorry for being simple haha!

 

I was talking about system restore allocation, here's what to do:
Control panel-> All control panel items-> Recovery-> Advanced Recovery Tools, then click configure system restore and you can reduce the amount allocated for system restore, you may gain some hard drive space but will reduce the number of days you can go back for system restore.

 

I seem to have less options than yourself... I'm running Windows Home Premium if that makes any difference?

 

OK, my fault, go to Control panel-> System and security-> System
In that window click system protection in the left side panel, highlight your system partition( C), then click configure. Hope this should be right.

 

I've done that, it was only set at 5GB so reduced it to 2GB, but my main porblem is the picture I first posted with the drive partitioning.

I've had a look online on how to reduce the drive partition, and from that knowledge I go into disk management, right click on the recovery partition, but the drop down has nothing except 'help' no other options such as 'shrink volume'

:-s

 

Recovery partition may be included over provisioning for ssd, this reduces the usable space of the ssd, that may be the reason other options are not available( like shrink). I would leave that recovery partition alone and find alternative way to use external spinner disk for your storage.

 

very sure that recovery partition != over-provisioning.

are you running an administrator account? I honestly can't think of why you wouldn't be able to shrink the volume. can you expand the OS partition?

 

Grab yourself a Linux live cd image, for example ubuntu.
Burn it to a disk or put it onto an usb stick. (google unetbootin)
Boot your PC from it. make sure you have a network connection.
Install gparted, either trough a package manager or via console
(ubuntu example: "sudo apt-get install gparted")
start gparted and edit your disks. Think twice before you apply anything!
Reboot and be happy.

 

You can also install a program and find out which programs taking up the space: TreeSize Free - CNET Download.com

 

But back to the original point, the size of the recovery partition is in part for over provisioning, which TRIM uses to keep the SSD fast and clean. I assume you have the Samsung mSata SSD in it ( I have seen some models that use the Sandisk SSD)? It is a fast mSata ( in fact, the fastest so far), and unfortunately, it is not available as a retail item. Keep it as it is, and it will run fast and have a long life. If you do make it smaller, just be aware you need to keep some empty space in order for it to stay fast. Trim needs some space in order to do its job. My guess is it is the size it is because that is the size determined to be needed for optimal performance.

If you need to gain back some space, depending on how much RAM you have, you could decrease your page file, and if you don't use hibernate, you can gain back some GB's, also, if you have system restore on, you can manipulate how much space and how many restore points it uses, but other than that, you will have to be very careful on what you put on your lappy.

 

One last item, if it came preloaded with OS and programs, there is some bloatware on there. Perhaps try a clean install and only add the programs and such that you want on there. On my Tabby, it is about 8 and a half GB's.

 

....what?

this must be one VERY funny SSD if its showing its overprovisioned area to the OS. which is odd because over-provisioning means space hidden from the OS.

also, if the recovery partition is over-partitioning space. where the hell is the actual recovery data then?

 

Which brand of computer do you own? The recovery partition is most commonly used by the manufacturer to store an image of the operating system and any preinstalled software and drivers. They do this instead of sending you a set of recovery CDs/DVDs. The partition is used most commonly to restore the OS installation to its factory state and for the purpose of other recovery operations. Most computer manufacturers will also give you the option of creating a full set of recovery DVDs. Look for information on how to do this in the user guide/manual for the computer or by contacting the manufacturer's support dept. If you have a DVD burner then I would recommend that you burn a set of recovery disks and store them in a safe place. Then you can use the Win 7 disk management tools to reclaim the recovery partition space.

 

Yeah looks like I'm going to reinstall it to get rid of some of the unnessasary things, cheers!
As for the type of SSD, i have no idea, being a 'flagship' model I guess they have their own one in?

It's a Samsung, it doesn't come with a dvd drive, so will have to go and purchase one anyway, and if the recovery can go onto disc then i'd probably do that then!

 

You should be able to burn recovery disk to an external DVD. Have you looked at the Samsung support site for documentation of backing up recovery partition to free up space?

 

If it is an mSATA wich is most likely is you have another option.

We have a 256GB model out now. Search MyDigitalSSD 256GB mSATA.

MtDigitalSSD