TZ SSD owner -- how to split software

I have a TZ190N -- love the form factor and its quick response -- but the 32G SSD is a bit too small for my needs, especially with all the "extras" Sony likes to include. I've removed the hidden partition and freed up space on the SSD. I also have an 8G ProDuo Memory Stick, an 8G SDHC, and an 8G ExpressCard. I'd like to use these memory cards to handle as much of the software/storage load as I can to keep enough headroom on the SSD so it functions well. But I'm not sure whether this will work, or if so, which software I can put on the memory cards. I know they're all USB-type cards and operate at much lower data rates than the SSD. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to take advantage of the memory cards w/o slowing down the SSD?

Thanks!

 

I will also like to know if someone has any input into this

-bump

 

Well I have the TZ 195 which has 48GB of space. I used the Portable One recovery disc and blew away the recovery partition to maximize available space when I reimaged it. I have a Lexar 16GB express card in addition to this. So what I did was install all the Apps on the c: drive and all my music, photos and videos get put on the Lexar express card. I wouldn't install any of the programs on removable media just because of the read write speed performance issues. I have all my temp and completed bittorrent files pointing to the express card. For the moment that seems to be the fastest and largest capacity available for express cards. 32GB are a bit too $$ right now...

 

you can download a microsoft sysinternals utility called junction.exe which lets you create the equivalent of unix symbolic links in windows. it works very well for moving stuff from one drive to another when the program expects it to be on the first drive.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx

 

Bruce,

Although I am not a Sony guy, I would still recommend looking to do a fresh installation of just the OS if Sony supplies a backup OS Disk as Dell does. Factory systems are slowed significantly by, not only bloatware, but also registry entries which I like to term as 'safe settings', settings made to ensure the system as they have it set works well but not necessarily at top performance.

Depending on the version of Vista or if Sony enables creation of a system backup disk, this is nice to fall back on.

Next, I would consider looking at going 64 Bit and going with 4Gb ram. I have this on my system (as can be seen below with the great sigblock Ark3kt made me) and have been able to shut down pagefile completely. Not only has this given me 3.5Gb back but, my performance has jumped significantly...even though I run a speedy 32Gb SSD as well.

Last but not least, many of the tips and tweaks from my thread below will save you a ton of space as well as increase performance of your system.

Good Luck!!! Welcome to the world of SSD! oh and hey, check out my articles. Benchmarks on your SSD are prob in one of them.

 

A fresh vLite-Vista install can save you many GBs - most people don't need all Windows drivers, sample media, games etc.
Putting apps on external drives is possible, especially if they just use local INI files - but - these are usually small anyway and won't save you GBs.

http://www.vlite.net/ (you'll need a Vista disc or files of course)

 

unfortunately, the VAIO TZ in question here is only expandable to 2gb, as it only has one memory slot.

 

Eeeeeh...sorry. Just looked at the system though. Sweet.

 

Guys, what do I do to bring this other 8GB of recovery into main hard drive?

I am noticing that I am running out of space faster than I think

 

clean install with a vista or xp disc, dump the recovery partition. then turn off system restore...

 

Just to update, I have used the disk manager inside the

right click o my computer and manage, under there I found the clean partition, and repaired it from there

what do I do now to combine these 2 partitions, I have tried Partition majic, but it doesn't work on Vista

 

I've used Acronis Disk Director Suite on Vista. It worked well.

 

off topic but can I ask if you are happy with your ssd performance wise?

 

zkaudio...

If I can jump in on this question as well. I have tons of info in my reviews below and, from a personal standpoint, the answer is an emphatic yes.

From the sheer silence to less heat to lack of fan use to startup speed to the almost instantaneous response when applications are started, there is a very visible and real performance jump.

If you need a performance number to verify this, my overall PCMark05 score is 6224, a number not reached by many systems with higher processors and graphics much less seen in any M1330 that I am aware of.