How do I format/partition my SSD please?

[soarwitheagles]

Hi everyone.

Ok, I read the SSD Tweak Guide. Very comprehensive and thorough. Thanks!

My new question: How do I format/partition my SSD please? I have heard horror stories from people that used Windows 7 set up to do the formating and partitions [many people say it messes up the alignment].

Ok, I am just now at stage one of a new build. I am ready to install the SSD and then install the OS.

Can someone here walk me through this? Can I and should I use Gparted? If yes, do I still use NTFS?

I have a 60gb OCZ Agility and I would like to make one partition of 10% [6gb], and use the rest for the OS/programs.

Thanks,

Soar

 

[Slaymate]

I've used the Windows 7 DVD to setup and format my SSD's, I haven't had any issues.

 

[PP Mguire]

Simply partition and format in the Windows 7 install like you normally would. Itll tell you that it will create a 100MB system partition which is normal.

 

[farinha]

I would use the Secure Eraser software from OCZ to format the drive.

 

[soarwitheagles]

I've used the Windows 7 DVD to setup and format my SSD's, I haven't had any issues.

Slay,

Ok. Do you create a partition as well and if so, how large?

 

[soarwitheagles]

Simply partition and format in the Windows 7 install like you normally would. Itll tell you that it will create a 100MB system partition which is normal.

Mguire, thanks. Do you allow it to create the 100mb partition or do you go bigger, smaller, or nada?


soar

I would use the Secure Eraser software from OCZ to format the drive.

Does OCZ offer the Secure Eraser software at their website?

I could not find Secure Eraser...

I did find the following post from a friend at another site and I just tried it and it seems to work well:


Note: many people make the mistake and partition and format the SSD incorrectly. The easiest way to get it right is to partition and format the drive while connected to a windows Vista or windows 7 PC. Only use a single partition. Using more than one partition or allowing windows setup to partition and format the drive will cause alignment problems which will seriously reduce drive performance and drive life. If you can't format the drive from within windows you can use Diskpart. See instructions below.

1 - Boot up from the Windows 7 installation disc.

2 - Choose Repair your computer.

3 - In the System Recovery Options screen, choose Use recovery tools... and click Next.

4 - Open the Command Prompt.

5 - Type diskpart and hit Enter.

6 - Type list disk . Find the disk you wish to install Windows 7 on. If you only have one disk then it will show as disk 0. If you have multiple disks find the drive you wish to install 7 on.

7 - Type select disk 0 (or use the number of the disk you wish to install Windows 7 on)(note - that is a zero)

8 - Type list partition. There shouldn't be any.

9 - Type create partition primary.

10- Type select partition 1.

11- Type active.

12- Type format quick.

13- When finished reboot and begin your installation.

This worked well for me tonight. I hope it helps someone else!

Soar

 

[PP Mguire]

IIRC that was required for older first gen SSDs like mine when your first doing an install. Newer ones like the one you have dont require that. And i just let Windows do its little 100MB system partition dealie and all is well with my setup.

 

[MindoverMaster]

Use GParted and you won't have that 100MB partition. It does it on any drive, Mguire.

Formatting a SSD is the same as any HDD.

 

[Slaymate]

It sounds like your over-complicating the whole thing. With Windows 7 it's easy. When you get to the screen to select the drive, just select your SSD and then select the button labeled "new". It will create 2 partitions, the "Main" partition that you install Windows 7 to and a 100MB partition Reserved for the System. Click "Next".

I think Sanitary Erase is the program farinha meant. But you don't need to use Sanitary Erase with a new drive. If you need to re-install Windows it is recommend to run Sanitary Eraser. But Sanitary Erase will wipe the drive clean, so back-up all your personal files. Sanitary Erase clears every data block on the drive restoring it, as close as it can, to it's factory released condition. Every data block has a limited number (undetermined at this time) of times that it can be written to. If a block has been written to a 100 times Sanitary Erase can't change that.

You can use AS-SSD Benchmark to check your disk alignment. You don't have to run the benchmark through it's tests, you just have to start it. If your alignment is Good it will say OK, where I've highlighted in red.

Is your drive a Agility or is it a Agility2?

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Use GParted and you won't have that 100MB partition. It does it on any drive, Mguire.

Formatting a SSD is the same as any HDD.

Does GParted align partitions correctly on SSDs?