Just Purchased X25-M 160GB, have questions

[idata]

Hello,

I just purchased an X25-M 160GB drive, and I have to admit that I'm confused with what I'm reading in all of these discussions relating to Firmware updates, Toolkits, etc.

I intend on doing a fresh install of Windows 7 64-bit.

My first question is about when, how, and if I need to do the firmware update. Since I just bought the drive today (4/23/2010), does it come with the latest firmware installed, or should I still be doing the update?

If I do need to do the update, do I need to do it before I install Windows 7? I notice that the firmware download creates a bootable CD. I intend on doing the firmware update before the Windows 7 installation - is this correct?

I also see numerous posts about TRIM. What is TRIM and how do I enable it in Windows 7? If I do a fresh install with the latest firmware, is TRIM enabled by default, or do I have to turn it on?

I did read through the "Readme.txt" that accompanies the actual firmware download, but it wasn't clear if drives purchased recently require the update. It also wasn't clear what Windows 7 specific things I must do *after* installing this firmware update.

Thanks for your help,

Jon

[idata]

First, what is the firmware version you have now? If you have the version ending in 02HD, which is the latest, you don't need to update firmware.

You can do the firmware update before or after installing Windows 7.

TRIM is enabled by default in Windows 7--so no need to worry about that. You do need to either use the default msahci driver in Windows 7 or the Intel IRST driver 9.6.0.1014 if you have an Intel chipset. You also need to set BIOS to AHCI to use an ahci driver.

You can check the firmware version of your SSD by going into Device Manager and double-clicking on your SSD under Disk Drives, then select Details, then under Property pulldown go to Hardware Ids.

TRIM keeps your drive running like new.

[idata]

Thank you for your helpful reply. As I haven't received the drive yet, I'm not sure of the firmware version. Also, since I intend on doing the firmware update before installing Windows 7, I won't be able to go to the device manager to check out which version I have. Does it hurt to perform the firmware update even if the latest firmware is already installed? I'll go ahead and assume that the firmware update CD that I burned will tell me that I already have the latest firmware if that's the case.

When you mention that I should use the default msahci driver or Intel driver, are you referring to the motherboard chipset, or for the SSD drive itself. Where would I go to "switch to" this driver, and what device is it I'm switching? For instance, do I go to Device Manager/Disk drives to use this driver or somewhere else?

Thanks again for your reply, and any additional info about which driver you are referring to would be great. I will also have to check out your BIOS recommendation about AHCI (or "legacy/compatibility" as I've seen referred to elsewhere). I checked my BIOS SATA options, and really the only thing it would let me do was "auto detect". I didn't see any way to force it one way or another, so hopefully when I get and attach the drive it will automatically detect this AHCI mode. I'll guess that'll have to be a concern for when I hook it up.

Thanks again,

Jon

[idata]

When you get the SSD, look on the box or label attached to the drive and the firmware version should be shown.

The msahci driver is automatically installed with BIOS set to AHCI. Since you say there is no selection for AHCI in BIOS, I don't know what to tell you except contact your motherboard manufacturer and ask how to set up for AHCI. You should do that before installing Windows 7. The Intel driver I mentioned above is for motherboards with Intel chipsets. You should know if your motherboard is AMD or Intel, so which is it?

Do not play the guessing game with "Auto Detect" but do contact your motherboard manufacturer and find out how to proceed with AHCI installation using an ahci driver. Once you know what type of board you have, AMD or Intel, and how to setup for AHCI, I can advise you further.

[idata]

ambizytl,

I definitely have a motherboard with an Intel chipset. The information you have given me so far was very helpful, and it should be enough for me to complete the installation correctly. I will be receiving the drive in about two days, so if anything comes up during installation that totally confounds me, I'll shoot up a post. As it stands, I will contact the motherboard manufacturer if I can't figure out how to get it in AHCI mode and go from there.

I will consider the question answered now, but will post back here if I manage to get myself lost again

Thanks again,

Jon