Need help with SSD

Hello. My m11x R2 just arrived.

I have a OCZ Vertex 2 60GB I want to put in it.

Whats the best way to do this ?

I mean, what mode, (ide, ahci, etc) should I be using.

Is there a specific method to do a clean SSD install ?

What about the "aligning" that I've heard of with SSD's?

I want to get maximum read/write performance out of the drive. Any specific way ?

 

if you want to you could clone your old hard drive over to the new one using the acronis 2010 trial software. you would need the proper equipment such as an external usb case for the ssd.

 

I'm a proponent of fresh install of the OS.

 

check this out win 7 install @ 5gb on a SSD

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/516410-windows-7-optimized-ssd-install-5-5gb.html

also do a clean install or your drive will not be aligned especially if you use an imaging software.Might as well stick with a regular drive if you plan to use the old image and ruin drive alignment and reduce performance.

 

i cloned it with acronis.. but you might aswel install from scratch. just as fast

 

I just used the windows 7 disk that came with it and did a clean install. Flashed SSD with latest firmware, installed all drivers, it seems good.

Windows / command center / drivers are using like 17gb though..

 

What's the problem? Is there something wrong with the link? It cannot be opened.

 

Hey, I have the same drive due to go into my M17x as a system drive, after I got a 120GB version of it for my M11x... DO LOOK at the main Alienware drive for the SSD thread.... there is a LOT of things you can do to help your performance, and some things you should NOT do. I can tell you for a fact your performance will be fairly off until you implement some of these, particularly the JBB tweak.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/474521-installing-ssd-tips-tricks-benchmarks.html

 

Unscrew the bottom panel of the laptop. Unscrew the holder for the current laptop hard drive, and replace it with the SSD. It is very straightforward, once you get the bottom panel of the laptop off and take a look at it.

AHCI mode. It is better than IDE because it supports TRIM and NCQ... both of which improve performance. And is IDE mode even supported on the M11x?

If you have not already done a clean format, then now is a good time to do it. Here is a guide on how to install Windows 7 from a USB key:
How To: Install Windows 7 from a USB Key! - Page 2 | Maximum PC

You can skip step 1 on page 1 of that guide. All you need is an empty USB key formatted for NTFS.

Don't worry about it. It's unnecessary.

Don't worry about it. An SSD in Windows 7 doesn't need care-and-feeding. You can take an SSD with Windows 7, and compare it to an SSD with Windows 7 plus a bunch of tweaks. And you would not be able to tell the difference.