Intel Solid-State Drive FAQ: Read This First!

[idata]

Intel Solid-State Drive FAQ Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• SSD Optimizations
• SSD Communities FAQs
• How-To Videos
• Resources

Basic Information

What do the digits in each SSD product code designate?

(Click on image to enlarge)

The last two digits labeled "Ordering Information" refer to what comes in the box you've purchased and how many SSDs were shipped in the same box ie

C# drive shipped in a brown box

R# drive shipped in a retail box without a desktop cloning kit

K# drive shipped in a retail box with a desktop cloning kit

The "# " simply states how many SSDs were shipped out together

SSD Optimizations

If you're using Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, please utilize these system settings to ensure compatibility, endurance, and performance. If you're using Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, please disregard the Superfetch setting.

Make Sure Your SSD Isn't Scheduled for Disk Defragmentation

•If you're using an SSD with Microsoft's Windows 7, the operating system will automatically disable scheduled defragmentation.

•If you're running Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, navigate to "My Computer".

•Right click on your SSD and choose properties from the drop-down menu.

•Navigate to the "Tools" tab and click "Defragment Now" in the "Defragmentation" menu.

•Near the top, there is a "Schedule" menu. Click "Configure Schedule" and ensure that there is no check next to the "Run on a schedule" option.

•If you're running Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, you must run disk defragmentation automatically. Simply make sure not to run the utility.

•Due to the design of SSDs, disk defragmentation is unnecessary and can even have a negative effect on the endurance of the drive.

Disable Superfetch (For Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7)

•On your "Start" search menu, type "services.msc". Scroll down and find the "Superfetch" line, and double click it to open up its properties.

•Change the "Startup Type" to "disabled".

•Superfetch is designed to open your frequently used programs more quickly. However, this technique doesn't speed up an Intel SSD's performance significantly and can ultimately have a negative effect on the performance of the drive. Superfetch is not a feature on Microsoft Windows XP.

Ensure You Have the Proper Drivers Installed

Intel recommends using the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology v.9.6 driver available here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/detail_desc.aspx?agr=&ProductID=&DwnldID=18859&strOss=&OSFullName=&l... http://downloadcenter.intel.com/detail_desc.aspx?agr=&ProductID=&DwnldID=18859&strOss=&OSFullName=&l...

This driver enables your Intel SSD to receive the TRIM command natively and automatically. Additionally, it is optimized for performance and endurance.

Intel® SSD Communities Frequently Asked questions General SSD FAQs

Visit this link for a more broad SSD FAQ:

http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-029623.htm http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-029623.htm

Are there any known issues with regards to compatibility or performance?

Known issues are located in the Intel® Solid-State Drive Toolbox Read Me and Firmware Update Tool Guidelines found here:

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/18455/eng/README%20rev11.rtf http://downloadmirror.intel.com/18455/eng/README%20rev11.rtf

<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: ...

[idata]

Guest wrote:

i have a SSDSA2M160G2GC but forever my system will say its just a 80GB harddisk

i am pretty sure its a 160GB

help!

thx

I assume Windows?

Post a screen shot of the "Intel SDD Toolbox" and Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Computer Management->Storage->Disk Management.

[PWert]

Duckie and parsec - thanks for the response!! Duckie - My confusion, in large part, comes from lack of experience, however, if you go to downloads ( http://http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20023&ProdId=3284&lang=eng&OSV... http://http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20023&ProdId=3284&lang=eng&OSV...) for RST drivers for my board and read the DETAILED DESCRIPTION - WHICH FILE TO CHOOSE it states choose driver AND one of the F6 driver diskettes. My understanding now, based on your response, is that I do not need to download the F6 diskette - the driver alone is sufficient.

[idata]

Hi can someone clarify the above please?

I too have just installed windows 7 (64-bit) on an ssd 320 series (80gb), and would like to install the intel drivers (rather than the native windows ahci). I am not running raid.

Is there a way to install the intel driver without using the f6 method during windows install?? Can I just install a file from within windows? If so which file?

Many thanks!

garcia.

[idata]

please do not destroy a FAQ with your questions, let here only answers !!!

[idata]

Peter and Garcia, Windows comes with a MS generic ACHI driver that supports Intel/AMD ACHI modes (not RAID mode though).

You do not need to use the F6 Installer Driver. Just install W7 and then install the Intel drivers over the generic ACHI driver later.