Will I need to do an SSD firmware update?

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Solution
Darkbreeze
This is how I would recommend doing it.

1. While in Windows, insert the installation disk and then immediately shut down, ignoring anything that pops up from having inserted the disk.

2. Disconnect the current OS drive.

3. Attach the SSD to the SATA 0 header on the motherboard using the cable that comes with the drive. Your older drive may have a SATA II cable rather than SATA III, which could limit the drives performance.

4. Connect power to your new drive.

5. Turn the system on and press whatever keys are necessary on your system to enter the bios.

6. Once in the bios, designate the CD/DVD optical drive as the primary boot device if it is not already.

7. Save settings and exit the bios. System should boot to the windows...
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I never heard of SSD firmware updates, js. Must of the SSD come just ready out of the box. I mean, if you want to get the optimal settings... i dont know... I got multiple Samsung SSD 850 EVO (500gb version) and I never heard about such update and they work as fast as expected.

Something not related to the issue, when you get your SSD, be gentle with the power connector in those SSD. I had problem with those SSD in particular and broke one for too much pressure will connecting to the power connector. I didn't even press it too hard, but those are pretty weak. Just a friendly reminder. I don't want you to go through the same as I did, lol
 
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Then you aren't very familiar with Samsung SSDs which have had multiple instances of needing firmware updates to correct performance issues. Compatibility and performance related issues are both reasons to update. They don't release firmware for no reason, so if there is an update it probably addresses something. As I said, it's built into the Samsung magician utility as well, so it's a simple process and can be performed from within Magician with a simple click.

I have two 850 EVOs and have installed about thirty of them, and haven't noticed that the power or data connections are any weaker or different than on any other SSD on the market I've worked with, which is many of them. I think you may have just been in Hulk mode.
 
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Okay thanks guys. So should I update the firmware before or after I install windows on it? And what's the best way to do a fresh install? Plug the install disk in, format all the partitions and then delete them or unplug my HDD, install on SSD then format the other drive?


I'm using my 1TB as mass storage. I'm really new to this stuff, sorry.

- Sam
 
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You can't upgrade the firmware until and unless there is already an OS installed. If you have an OS on another drive, you can attach the EVO to the system, install Magician, upgrade the firmware, then shut down and install the OS on the target SSD (BTW, just as a note of precaution, make sure you have ALL other drives disconnected from the system when you install to the SSD so there is no chance of having a problem with old boot partition conflicts after installation.). Or you can just install the OS on the SSD (Still disconnect other drives until after the OS installation to avoid boot partition issues.) and upgrade the firmware afterwards. It really doesn't affect anything in that regard.

What version of Windows will you be installing and what kind of installation media do you have?
 
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I will be using Windows 8.1 (OEM) and I have a "Recovery Disk" Which lets me reinstall windows with some of my settings

So when I go to put the install disk in, before I will disconnect my HDD, When I'm in windows, Turn it off, and install the second drive, then transfer any documents from my old Windows drive then format. Is this correct?


- Sam
 
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This is how I would recommend doing it.

1. While in Windows, insert the installation disk and then immediately shut down, ignoring anything that pops up from having inserted the disk.

2. Disconnect the current OS drive.

3. Attach the SSD to the SATA 0 header on the motherboard using the cable that comes with the drive. Your older drive may have a SATA II cable rather than SATA III, which could limit the drives performance.

4. Connect power to your new drive.

5. Turn the system on and press whatever keys are necessary on your system to enter the bios.

6. Once in the bios, designate the CD/DVD optical drive as the primary boot device if it is not already.

7. Save settings and exit the bios. System should boot to the windows installation disk.

8. Perform a clean install, as follows:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

9. After installation is complete, restart and enter the bios again. Change the primary boot device to the Windows drive. Save settings and exit.

10. Boot windows and install any necessary drivers (Might be a good idea to download any network adapter drivers before doing any of this, and saving it to a USB or optical disk in case you need it. Other drivers too if you wish. Windows doesn't always have the necessary drivers natively.)

11. Download or install Magician and update firmware. Install any desired applications. Done.
 
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Solution


Not strictly true! That is assuming you CAN use magician to update.

I have a 840 Pro and for some reason, I cannot seem to update through magician. As a workaround, Samsung suggest i download the firmware, along with a utility, and update it in a pre-boot environment.

This means, that if you have internet access SammyJo - you could in theory, build the firmware update disk, and apply the update before installing Windows, if it makes you feel more comfortable.
 
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First of all, download/create a windows 8.1 installation medium. Don't think the recovery will let you fresh install windows.

Be sure ahci sata mode is enabled and not ide mode. Plug in the ssd to a sata3 port. If you are not sure how to do all that, read the manual of your motherboard.


Unplug the hdd, insert the installation medium, install windows on the ssd
After rebooting, install Samsung magician and update the firmware with it, if not already up to date.

Plug in the hdd again, set the boot order in bios to your ssd, or it could be, that the PC will boot the old windows. Be sure you have backuped all your important data. Format the hdd
 
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Thanks for the replies guys. The recovery drive installs a fresh install of windows and makes sure it's all licenced. I then can login to my Microsoft account and then I can start fresh. Also, one last question, once i'm into windows on my SSD can I just simply move my documents, music Etc to my SSD from the HDD even though it has Windows on it? Will I just need to go in the users folders and stuff like that?

- Sam
 
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We are not talking about the 840 Pro. That's got an entirely different controller and architecture. If you're going to nix somebody's advice, at least have a relevant and accurate alternative direction in mind.
 
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Unless his system is VERY old, it won't have IDE headers in any case. I haven't seen an IDE header on a motherboard in years, and the majority of systems have SATA/Compatibility modes enabled by default. It is a good idea to check this though, I'll agree with that. Also, if your BIOS has an OS setting, as in, "other OS", "Windows 8/10" and "Windows 8/10 UEFI", it's a good idea to set it to the appropriate setting.
 
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As for the installation itself, I probably have to agree that using the recovery media is a bad idea. It will restore all the bloatware and other junk that came with the previous installation, as well as any drivers that were in use on that system at the time the media was created. I would go into your current installation and record the product key, or get it off the sticker on your tower. If you can't find one, you can use magic jellybean to extract the product key.

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/


And then create fresh installation media using the media creation tool here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media


Then install as outlined above in the clean install guidelines using the product key you extracted. If the motherboard is the same as the one that was in use when you first had the OS installed, it may not even be necessary to use a product key as the motherboard bios id string may already have a digital entitlement on record with the MS activation servers. Most OEM and retail Windows 8.1 and 10 installations do but it's a good idea to know the product key just in case.
 
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My point still stands.
He CAN if he wants, update his SSD firmware before he installs his operating system, using the ISO.
The architecture is irrelevant. 850, 840 .. doesn't matter.. if there is a newer firmware available, and he wants to apply it before installing an OS he can, using bootable media.
I think you'll find that, that is both relevant and accurate!
 
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I suppose you could, but it seems pointless and I've not seen anybody have the issue with updating the firmware on the 840 or 850 EVO models like some have had with the Pro models, so it may be a moot point as well. But if it won't work in Windows then I guess it's a least an option.
 
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