Lenovo y580 HDD & SSD Combined? Thoroughly Confused

My y580 includes the 1TB HDD and the 32GB SSD. I recently ordered a 128GB SSD, hoping to slap the OS on there and use the HDD as storage (while hopefully keeping the original software, drivers, and OneKeyRestore functionality). I have read some of the other threads on this forum related to adding SSDs, partitioning, and restoring. However, after looking more closely at the drives and partitions, it seems that things are more complicated than I originally anticipated.

As some others on here have pointed out, the HDD & SSD somehow seem to be joined together as one drive, with 4 separate partitions (2 visible with assigned drive letters, 2 hidden). See attached image: . The strange part is that disk 0 is actually the Samsung SSD, and the un-initialized disk 1 is the 1TB HDD, yet all of the partitions seem to be set up through the SSD. I am now unsure as to which drive actually contains what data. Is the OS on the SSD and the restore partition on the HDD? Is the OS on the HDD with the memory page file on the SSD? Is the data split across both drives in some sort of RAID 0 configuration?

Removing the SSD gives me the usual: "No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key".

I have thought of maybe just burning the restore discs, reformatting the 1TB HDD completely, swapping out the SSD with my new one, and then attempting to restore to that from the discs.

If anyone knows how this is all set up or has had success with restoring the OS to a larger aftermarket SSD I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

Thanks!

 

Well you definitely don't want to reformat that whole 1TB HDD. There is a hidden partition on it that is used by One Key Recovery. And you also don't want to delete the Lenovo partition with all the drivers on it without backing it up first. If you delete that hidden partition, the One Key Recovery will stop working (I think forever).

There is a Tool on the Lenovo partition in the "Intel Rapid Storage\Tools" Folder called Rapidtools.exe.

When you run that, it will separate your SSD from your HDD and they will become two separate drives. Just keep in mind that when you run it, Windows will not boot anymore and you will have to reinstall it. So only do it when you're ready to do a clean install.

Actually I should receive my 256GB SSD today and I'm going to tinker around with it today or tomorrow (probably tomorrow, don't have time today) to do a clean install AND save the One Key Recovery. I think I might know how to do it. If I manage to do it succesfully I'll post a step by step guide.

 

I don't know why anyone would keep the OneKey Recovery partition after doing a clean install + drivers. Just make an image of the clean install using WinBackup and restore using the Windows disc, easy. Start fresh again without the bloatware. Although one other individual mentioned that one can set a custom image for OKR to use. He posted a version of OKR used by lenovo engineers.

 

I don't like buttons that don't work

 

starfly, please do post a step-by-step guide if you manage to get it working with your new SSD. I'm sure that would help others on here with the same issue.

I will have to look into the Intel RapidTools. I don't mind if the OS becomes unbootable, as I've just had my y580 for a week so I basically have nothing of importance on it (As long as I can still restore it. I would rather not have a $1000 paperweight )

So, my preferred setup would be to have my new SSD with my OS & program files on it, and the 1TB split into the two partitions as it appears to be now: One for storage and the hidden one for OKR (I also don't like useless buttons on my computer . If I can get it set up this way with my new SSD, and with OKR still functional for future restores, then I'll be golden.

 

same reason why i kept my okr partition and made my own clean OS image.

sure, windows backup works.

but if you can keep a button function, why not.



OP, check out my OKR thread. There's an OKR setup disc that installs OKR on SSD/HDD configs, cache or no cache.
http://paste2.org/p/2245050


I'm going to receive my 30gb msata ssd next week, and I will be playing around with it too.



here's a guide by lenovo regarding ssd + hdd..

http://support.lenovo.com/en_IL/research/hints-or-tips/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=12870415982811

 

See my step by step guide here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ideapad-essential/690046-lenovo-y580-clean-install-guide.html

good luck!

 

link626, thanks for the helpful links. I am now understanding how this whole RapidDrive thing works

starfly, I will have a look at your guide, thanks!

 

I've tried to access this guide and it doesn't display.
Please double check your link.