New install with SSD as primary and HDD as Secondary.

[fastpat27]

Hi All
I'm expecting my new Optimus V tomorrow sometime but it will need a complete installation on software as I have my own Windows 7. PCS should have installed the SSD and primary and a Seagate Hybrid as secondary. I am looking some direction in what's the best way to go about the installation of software to get started. My intentions are most Applications/Programs on SSD, with Files/Storage on HDD.

I have heard/read about setting this up initially with the HDD removed to begin with, for the Windows setup, but it got complicated. They also talked about things like "Enable AHCI SATA mode in the UEFI/BIOS", "TRIM", "Master Boot Record", "GUID Partition Table" and things.

I have searched for guides on doing this but still haven't found a straight forward, easy to understand one. Any help would be appreciated.

If it makes any difference, my main use of the computer is Graphic Design and photo editing, with the usual office stuff and browsing.

Many Thanks
FP

 

[vanthus]

You should be fine doing a clean install to the SSD,it should already be set to AHCI,but check in bios anyway.
No need to remove second hard drive if nothing on it.
Also,if PCS have installed the version of Windows you have,you should only need to activate it with your product key.
And yes,OS and main programs on SSD.

 

[fastpat27]

You should be fine doing a clean install to the SSD,it should already be set to AHCI,but check in bios anyway.
No need to remove second hard drive if nothing on it.
Also,if PCS have installed the version of Windows you have,you should only need to activate it with your product key.
And yes,OS and main programs on SSD.

Thanks Vanthus
Is ACHI the correct setting that I need? Wasn't sure even if what I had read was what I needed!!
Glad to hear I don't have to remove the HDD!
As far as I can mind I only told PCS Windows 7 and not the specific version so I was thinking nothing will be installed at all??
Is there away to default Users and My Documents onto the second drive as it normally puts all on the C: drive?

 

[vanthus]

Thanks Vanthus
Is ACHI the correct setting that I need? Wasn't sure even if what I had read was what I needed!!
Glad to hear I don't have to remove the HDD!
As far as I can mind I only told PCS Windows 7 and not the specific version so I was thinking nothing will be installed at all??
Is there away to default Users and My Documents onto the second drive as it normally puts all on the C: drive?

AHCI is what you want for an SSD,and an OS will be installed when you receive the computer.
Ive seen tutorials on how to default the user/my documents to another drive,but haven't actually tried it myself,so don't really know how well this would work.

 

[fastpat27]

I have came across this link that might also hopefully help. It's still quite technical but not as bad as some. Hope it helps someone else too.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

 

[dogbot]

To move one of the User folders, My Documents for example.
Create a My Documents folder on the secondary (data) drive.
Go to 'Start' and click on your user name at top right of the start panel. An explorer panel should be showing all your user folders.
Right click on 'My Documents' and select 'properties'. Click the 'Location' tab. Click on 'Move'.
In the 'Select a destination panel', navigate to the My Documents folder created on the secondary drive. Select it and then click 'Select Folder'.
When asked if you want to combine the content of the 2 folders, say Yes.
One more thing, some programs insist on using a location for My Documents on the C drive. To cater for this another 'Documents' folder is created in the place of 'My Documents' which does not have a location tab in properties.

ADDED

You might like to both locations in the Libraries documents folder.

 

[ubuysa]

I did exactly the same as you when my Optimus IV arrived. I have an SSD as primary (with Windows and programs) and an HDD as secondary with all my data on it. You've already had excellent advice so I'll add no more except to say that if you want any help fell free to PM me and I'll be happy to assist.

Or of course you could ask on here too.

 

[fastpat27]

Great stuff guys, this is one of the things I was wondering! Thanks so much. No doubt I will be asking more later!

One more thing, some programs insist on using a location for My Documents on the C drive. To cater for this another 'Documents' folder is created in the place of 'My Documents' which does not have a location tab in properties.

Does this mean I have no choice on where to point these types of programs, they must go to the c:/, or is it a matter of manually pointing them each time?

You might like to both locations in the Libraries documents folder.

Not sure what you mean with the libraries?

 

[ubuysa]

Great stuff guys, this is one of the things I was wondering! Thanks so much. No doubt I will be asking more later!



Does this mean I have no choice on where to point these types of programs, they must go to the c:/, or is it a matter of manually pointing them each time?



Not sure what you mean with the libraries?

Everything under the C:/USers/your-name/ folder (ie. your user data) can be moved anywhere you like. I actually have my SSD partitioned, one partition contains Windows and programs and the other contains my highly active data. All other data (and a daily backed-up copy of the highly active data) ives on the D:/ drive.

To move any folder under C:/Users/your-data/ simply create the appropriate folder structure on your D: drive, then right-click on each folder under C:/Users/your-name/ (one at a time of course) and select Properties. Under the Properties windows click the Location tab. From there you can select the new location for that folder. Windows will copy the contents of the C:/ folder to the specified D:/ folder and remember that then new D: folder is the default location for that type of data.

 

[dogbot]

Most programs will have default user file locations although you can define where the files are to go. The 'My Documents' that was moved to the secondary drive is now the default location for any user documents.
Not much will use the C drive location but it does happen. For instance the other day I was using BCDedit to change the OS names and order in the boot menu. The resulting backup file went to C:\Documents but it is not a file I particularly want to see floating around in my user files anyway.

There are many ways to access files in Win7 and even more can be created. However, most of us are creatures of habit and it was instilled in us from XP days that you always drilled down through a disc file structure to find the file you wanted. But it does not have to be that way. THe Windows Library gives an alternative where similar files can be found no matter on which drive or location they exist provided you have selected those locations to appear in the library. As well as the default user libraries, other libraries can be created to suit a particular purpose.

For this example we will use Public Pictures and 2 other photos locations or folders. If you do not have these then create, say, 'Photos fim' and 'Photos digital' on the data drive. Put something in them if you like.
Right click on 'Pictures' in the library and select 'Properties' then 'Include a folder'. Navigate to Public pictures and click 'Include folder'. Do the same for Photos fim and Photos digital. The order they appear can be changed and the default folder set. In use all 3 locations appear on one page thus giving easy access to a file. Each location can be opened or closed so that you only need to see the most used. Note that with only 2 locations the files tend to be merged.

ADDED

I see ubuysa got in first. Unfortunately I was interupted by visitors

 

[fastpat27]

Thanks for more advice guys, this is a great help. I think I understand it, but a little playing about when I get started will maybe show things in better light too. I appreciate it!!

OK, installation of Windows should be straight forward, just make sure it chooses the SSD for the install. I'll then just change the location for the default folders. If I get stuck I'll give you all a shout!

Thanks again

 

[ubuysa]

When you install Windows choose a Custom install. That way you will get to choose where Windows is installed. If your Optimus comes with an OS already installed (and it probably will) you'll need to choose custom install and delete the existing partitions on your SSD containing the test Windows system PCS will probably have put on there.

And yes, after installation you can change the location of the default folders.

 

[fastpat27]

When you install Windows choose a Custom install. That way you will get to choose where Windows is installed. If your Optimus comes with an OS already installed (and it probably will) you'll need to choose custom install and delete the existing partitions on your SSD containing the test Windows system PCS will probably have put on there.

Thanks ubuysa, This is what I done although once I had re-installed my own windows there were no drivers available for the hardware! And guess what...... the utilities disc they sent is apparently for Windows 8!! Now have to wait until they send a disc.

Something I was thinking though, I upgraded to a Killer 1202 wifi card, should there not be a disc for it too? Surely it would have it's own driver/software disc... no? This also means I have no wifi to download my own basic drivers!

 

[keynes]

Something I was thinking though, I upgraded to a Killer 1202 wifi card, should there not be a disc for it too? Surely it would have it's own driver/software disc... no? This also means I have no wifi to download my own basic drivers!

Can you not download the latest driver to a USB stick before doing the clean installation?

 

[fastpat27]

Can you not download the latest driver to a USB stick before doing the clean installation?

Hi Keynes
I can now when I'm at the office, but couldn't yesterday when at home, although that's not really what you expect to have to do. I haven't searched yet but is there a quick link to the Killer Driver? I'm sure it will not be hard to find.

Thanks

 

[keynes]

although that's not really what you expect to have to do

If you are doing a clean installation I would expect you to do it
I haven't checked my drivers but I would assume there are placed there however I didnt use it just sent to their website to download the latest drivers. It was pretty quick to find.

 

[fastpat27]

Hi guys, a little more help needed if possible please.

I just got my drivers disk in the post, inserted and hit autorun. I have a list of options saying install drivers, option drivers or browse dvd. If I click install drivers I then get a list of the driver options, chipset, nvidia etc.. Do I just go through each one and install them all one at a time? Do I need them all or would this be a generic disk with drivers that I don't need?

Thanks in advance
FP

 

[ubuysa]

It's probably a generic disk for all versions of that model. You should install all the drivers in the "install drivers" section, one at a time and in the order they are listed. You will have to reboot after installing most of them, don't skip this step, I know it's a pain but rebooting after each driver (if asked to) is important. Then you can move to the optional drivers, you only need to install the ones you need from this list. You should be able to tell which ones you need but if in doubt open up Device Manager and see whether any devices are shown with a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark (unknown device). If so you need to figure out which driver is for that device.

 

[fastpat27]

Hi Ubuysa
Just off the phone to support and he explained which ones to install including the optional ones. Thanks for the reply. Hope my WEI goes up a bit from 1 once I get this sorted! lol

FP

 

[fastpat27]

Hi Ubuysa,
All installed except Intel WiDi AP, not sure if I needed it?? I did a WEI test and only got 6.6, was expecting more but maybe I'm not configured correct. Any ideas on why only 6.6 on such a high spec machine?

Also Nvidia Experience shows the resolution is only 1536 x 864, but the screen is set as 1920x1080??

Optimus V, i7 4700MQ, 24GB Samsung Ram, 256GB Samsung SSD Pro, Nvidia 2GB GeForce™ GTX 765M, Killer 1202.

Regards
FP