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i have a Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB coming soon and need advice on installing it. I have no idea how to install it, any advice (in basic terms please)

W7

The SSD you have is the top of the range SATA 6gbps version

See here for SATA 6gbps:
What is SATA 6Gb/s?

See here for SATA 3gbps
What is SATA 3Gb/s SATA II does not mean 3Gb/s Serial ATA 3Gb/s-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com



So Check your motherboard for a SATA 6gbps connection and use that if you have one (not all motherboards have this connection).

If not use a SATA 3gbps connection (default all Mobo's).

If you have the Motherboard Mannual this will tell you the connection, if you have not got it - Google for the Manual.

Connect SSD as per a normal HDD, SATA Cable Power connection etc.

Format current HDD, reboot and ensure you select the SSD to install the OS on. (If not using as the Boot Drive - which as its an SSD I am sure you will be, then skip this part)

Reinstall Software



Thats it really mate, same process as a HDD Swap out

See here for a Tutorial if required:
Solid State Drive or SSD Upgrade installation


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Make sure your BIOS is in AHCI mode for the SATA port if the drive supports it. DO NOT FORMAT A SSD!!!!! Before installing windows. If your drive supports AHCI your drive will run alot better and live for longer due to better data handling.

Make sure all other HDD are unplugged and install windows on the SSD before plugging in any secondary HDD`s. Some thing to do with how windows handles install files if other drives with windows on are plugged into the mobo.

With windows 7 all you need to do is click install OS no need to format (do not do this at all on a SSD) Windows will know its installing onto a SSD and set up the drive for you. In the link below take note of the TRIM section.


Solid State Drives (SSD's) explained - Overclockers UK Forums Quality guide to SSD`s. Also a very good forum for computer users.

If your using it as a none OS drive (duh) just plug it in and windows will do the rest again DO NOT FORMAT A NEW SSD.

Ok sweet stuff, i will have my SSD with windows on it. But then what do i do with my old HDD (which i still wanna use probably) ? how do i get windows off it?

Format?

yeh format the old one once you got the New SSD running with windows. Plug it in and just right clcik format once you have moved any files you want off it onto your new drive.

gazzthompson wrote:Ok sweet stuff, i will have my SSD with windows on it. But then what do i do with my old HDD (which i still wanna use probably) ? how do i get windows off it?

Like I said Gaz, format the HDD what your running windows on now and use it as secondary.

Cheers guys! cant wait.

Hey Gazz heres my Intel 80g after 7 months still very fast.

Also Gaz take a look at this review - ArmA2 Specific:

Performance - SSD and Arma 2



ArmA2 - HDD:




ArmA2 - SSD:

Good read, Think Gazz will be having improper dreams about ArmA2 and SSD`s.

gazzthompson wrote:how do i get windows off it?

If it's already SATA, it's hotpluggable. You can unplug, install as per the comments mentioned, then boot. Plug the old drive in again while the system's running and you can access whatever you want short term. It's our main facility for grabbing files from screwed machines in work. However, long term, you want to use this ability to back up to an external, then scrub the drive and copy the files you WANT back over.

Until you do this, your old drive will retain an MBR, registry etc. You can delete these manually by using a force deleter and save this hassle, but not recommended unless you know what you're doing. I won't g into that in case someone decides to blame me for lost data

Yep next purchase for me is a Network drive plugged into my router. So many kids with laptops and my PC we can each have a back up folder on the drive.

a NAS sounds good, my computer is used as the file share for installers/other stuff but it of course has to be on for this. a NAS would be good at some point..

My friend said i should install fimware before installing the SSD. Im not sure what this means, i assume i have to have the SSD plugged in when i do it? this is before i install windows on it? what burning software shall i use for the firmware ISO? just windows?

Crucial.com Product Downloads - Firmware Updates