Preparing new SSD for first time use?

What's the best way to prepare a brand new, never used SSD for first time use? I'm getting ready to install Windows 7 on an SSD, but would like to know what I need to do to prepare it for a new OS installation.

Do I need to format the SSD first? Do I need to DBAN then format? Any advice would be great to help me properly set up and get my new SSD ready for use!

 

1) Install it on a secondary SATA port on a computer already up and running and ensure it has the latest firmware. Follow the manufacturers directions on flashing the firmware properly.

2) Do a clean install of Windows 7.

3) Enjoy!

Good luck.

 

After you install Windows, give this a look: SSD Tweaker | Download SSD Tweaker software for free at SourceForge.net

 

Tip:

After you install Windows 7, just enjoy and use your computer normally and resist the temptation to tweak it. Especially don't tweak it 'for' the SSD. Windows 7 comes already 'tweaked' for you. ;^)

Unless of course, you want to reinstall it again in a day or two...

 

Correct. You should not need to futz with your SSD once you get it up and running on Windows 7.

The only thing that you will want to double-check is that the Disk Defragmenter service under Windows Services is disabled. Trying to defragment an SSD is probably the best way to kill it.

 

So basically, all I need to do is unbox my new SSD, hook it up, and stick in the Windows 7 disc and start the OS install. Is this correct? I thought that there'd be more to this than that.

I'd rather not mess with the firmware right now...

 

Correct. You could apply some tweaks later but they're not necessary.

____________

 

If it was me, I'd rather mess with the firmware before I had the O/S, my apps and my data installed rather than after all that work and hoping/praying the firmware update won't wreak anything.

Also, with the latest firmware (or, at least knowing what the firmware of the SSD is), you should be able to pinpoint and troubleshoot any problems much faster.

Remember that no manufacturer gives out details of all the fixes a newer firmware does - but that does not mean that you will not benefit from all their hard work if/when you do install the latest firmware.

Good luck.

 

Totally agree...not "messing" with firmware out of the box, if you can, is a mistake. We've seen firmware revisions kill performance, so upgrading, downgrading, etc on a live drive isn't my idea of fun

 

Thanks for all the great info! So essentially, I'll need to connect my new SSD to an existing system, such as a desktop, and upgrade its firmware and hope like crazy that it doesn't kill my SSD. Is this correct?

Sooo... now the question remains in how do I upgrade the firmware of my SSD? It's a Corsair F120.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233125

 

They're up to v1.1. What's on the drive?

 

Erm, I'm really sorry, but how do I figure out what version firmware my SSD has?

 

The easiest way is simply downloading the bootable iso and attempting to upgrade the firmware.

If it goes ahead and does the update - then it needed it.

If it indicates that the versions are the same - then you don't need to worry about updating it at this time.

Good luck.

 

Really? I figured there was some sort of a utility you could use to find out the firmware of your SSD with instructions on how to upgrade it.

 

You can also just enjoy it. If it doesn't perform like it should or if it gives you problems you can always update the firmware later.

I've updated the firmware on a couple of drives with data on it, never had a problem.

And it's true that doing it before hand might be wiser. It's not mandatory though.

 

The Intel Matrix will tell you the firmware version.