Setting up SSD + HDD question

[beaver316]

So I'll be building my first computer in the coming weeks as I'm expecting parts to be arriving after the christmas period. I've read a lot and pretty much know and understand everything that I'll need to do when building it.

However while reading the manual of the motherboard I got. There's a section on setting up RAID. There are a ton of settings in the BIOS for RAID configuration. Is this something I'll need to do?

I bought an MX100 SSD and a Western Digital HDD. From what I've read on these forums, all I need to do is just plug in the SSD, install Windows, and afterwards plug the HDD. Will I need to do anything extra for Windows to detect it, and for both storage devices to work together? Anything in the bios?

I bought a Gigabyte GA-Z97-D3H motherboard btw if that's important.

 

[Joe Milton]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMo8krAJd5Q

This video might solve your question.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

since you will not be using RAID do not enable it in BIOS

(read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID
for info on raid types)

Default for most modern motherboards is boot device is hard disk or ssd connected to lowest numbered sata port
SATA setting should be AHCI mode by default

(only change to ATA compatible if you want to install XP which may not support modern SATA hard disk controllers in native AHCI mode)

if you have sata III & II ports connect SSD to SATA III port
you could connect both SSD & Hard disk then DVD drive
You must go into UEFI BIOS and ensure boot device is SSD not hard disk

read motherboard user guide see if there is a option to set one time boot device to USB or DVD drive often F8, F11 or F12 for use when starting up off a Windows DVD or USB disk
if this is not an option set DVD as the boot device ahead of SSD

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[beaver316]

Thank you for the help! So I don't need to touch RAID settings then, it's simply a matter of plugging them both to the SATA III ports and choosing the right boot priority.

Is it recommended to only have the SSD connected while installing Windows, and only plugging in the HDD afterwards.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Not necessarily to do this on a new install with unused SSD and hard drive

If you do first put SSD in by itself ssd
drive will be c: DVD will be d: and when hard disk added it will be e:

Regards
Mike barnes