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

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[idata]

I have run into a number of issues which are not addressed by this article. The Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox, version 3.1.2 correctly finds my X-25M 160GB SSDDS2MH160G201, tells me that my Firmware Version is 2CV1, tells me my correct Serial Number, and incorrectly tell me that the SMART feature is disabled. It also pops up a 'Selected Drive Disconnected' msgbox saying 'The Intel SSD Toolbox is having trouble communicating with the selected drive ...' and when I click OK for it to rescan the file system, the toolbox crashes ad disappears. When I try to install 'thh_s_english_1433.exe' presumably the firmware update tool, my Win 7 64 crashes to a blue screen of death. When I download and attempt to install the latest RST driver 'iata_enu.exe', I am told that my system is not compatible.

The firmware update and driver install problems may be because I have an AMD based system with an ECS MCP61M-M3 (V1.0A) motherboard. The toolbox problem may be simpler. Rather than using the data migration tool, I used Microsoft Win 7 Restore to restore a 64 Gigabyte system partition from a smaller non-Intel SSD that I had on my system previously. The toolbox may be assuming that a 160 GB SSD would have a 160 GB partition. Also possibly causing complexity, previous SSD had a 100 megabyte hidden partition on it which was replicated by the restore. I no longer remember the contents of this 100 megabyte partition. Undoubtedly a system restore partition from some system manufacturer or else a recovery console installation.

Because the toolbox told me my firmware version was 2CV1 I now know (reading the Intel Firmware Release Notes) that my SSD is a 34nm product) but I don't know for sure what firmware version it is running since there are 4 additional letters of version identification. However, since my box says it was packed on 20 December 2011 and the most recent 2CV1 firmware is dated 17 August 2011 I think it is reasonable to assume that I have this version.

The good news is that my SSD seems to be working fine. The bad news is that without a working toolbox I feel dead in the water for future support and maintenance.

[KenF_Intel]

Hi Homecomputerdoctor,

Thanks for the heads up on the FAQ being out of date. I'll make time to work on it.

For you firmware update problem, please try the bootable firmware update tool located here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3308&DwnldID=18363&ProductFamily=Solid... http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3308&DwnldID=18363&ProductFamily=Solid...

Be sure to back up your data before updating the firmware!

The toolbox issues may indeed be due to the fact that you have an AMD chipset. Other users have had a better experience by changing to the Microsoft(r) AHCI driver or by disabling the Volume Shadowcopy Service.

We are actively working to identify compatibility issues AMD based systems but there may be limits on how much we can fix. I'll keep you posted.