Installing OCZ Vertex 4 128gb ssd

[cromedome]

Just bought an OCZ Vertex 4 128gb SSD and am awaiting delivery. I just want a guideline of how and what to do once I actually get it. Like changing storage mode from IDE to AHCI in the bios and firmware updates etc.

I will be installing it on an ASUS Maximus III Formula (Yes, I know it is sata ii not iii) for sake of reference. I already have windows installed on an 80gb HDD which will be tossed aside once the ssd is up and running. I will be doing a clean install of windows on the ssd.

thanks in advance

 

[chesteracorgi]

If you are doing a cliean install then all yuou need to do is change the BIOS setting to ACHI just prior to installing the system on the SSD.

Use the HDD as a backup device where you store system images if you crash the system.

 

[cromedome]

If you are doing a cliean install then all yuou need to do is change the BIOS setting to ACHI just prior to installing the system on the SSD.

Use the HDD as a backup device where you store system images if you crash the system.

Thanks. I already have a few terabytes of storage anyways so i could just do that on those. This 80gb is just taking up space at the moment.

 

[jemm]

Hi Cromedome!

Congratulations on your purchase!

When the SSD arrives, just connect its power and SATA cables, then disconnect the HDD cables. Prior to OS installation, while in the Bios set the SSD to AHCI, and as a primary and boot drive.

After the installation reconnect the HDD cables, and use it as a storage device.

I hope it helps!

 

[cromedome]

Hi Cromedome!

Congratulations on your purchase!

When the SSD arrives, just connect its power and SATA cables, then disconnect the HDD cables. Prior to OS installation, while in the Bios set the SSD to AHCI, and as a primary and boot drive.

After the installation reconnect the HDD cables, and use it as a storage device.

I hope it helps!

Thanks a lot but should I not leave my current boot drive in and then load into the OS, update the Vertex 4 firmware to latest and then install windows on it? I also do not have an optical drive so I usually just use the Win 7 ISO to install windows, can I do that with the SSD?

 

[cromedome]

And should I install it on the normal sata ii ports or the Speeding HDD ports on the bottom of the motherboard which use a jmicron controller or something if im not mistaken?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

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

 

[jemm]

SR-71 Blackbird posted a good guide.

As for not having an optical drive, you can use a USB devide.

HowTo: Bootable USB Stick for OS Install http://regularitguy.com/2012/03/29/howto-bootable-usb-stick-for-os-install/

Installing Windows 7 from USB http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/australia/installing-windows-7-from-usb/258

As for which SATA port to use, go with one of the 6 xSATA 3.0 Gb/s ports you mobo offers.

 

[cromedome]

SR-71 Blackbird posted a good guide.

As for not having an optical drive, you can use a USB devide.

HowTo: Bootable USB Stick for OS Install http://regularitguy.com/2012/03/29/howto-bootable-usb-stick-for-os-install/

Installing Windows 7 from USB http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/australia/installing-windows-7-from-usb/258

As for which SATA port to use, go with one of the 6 xSATA 3.0 Gb/s ports you mobo offers.

Yeah I'm just going to use the image file and then run it from inside windows (like I usually do) since I do not even have a big enough flash drive.

And I'm actually going to just run benchmarks to see which SATA port is faster/better as I always wanted to know what the point of the extra controller was.

Thanks guys, keen to put this SSD to the test.

 

[snwkill]

Good luck on your purchase... After my very poor experience with my vertex 3, and multiple issues in the past when OCZ produced RAM. I will never buy again from OCZ.

If you have a decent backup drive I would do your fresh install and then create a clean image with all of your drivers using clonezilla. Use a flash drive as a "bootdisk" and then image to your 2nd harddrive if you have one.

It makes re installing windows so much more painfree.