new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

From download.cnet.com/Windows-7-U...-10972600.html, the install failed on my w2k system:

Process exited with code 1603
Status of package 'Image Master API v2 for Windows XP and Windows 2003 (KB932716-v2)' after install is 'InstallFailed'

Maybe I can use the HP bootable usb tool and create an ISO file from the win7 x64 DVD. Yes? No? Maybe?

[Darkje]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

I usually just disable system restore and make my own backups using the build in w7 backup or acronis home v11, but if you like it/use it I would set it after the updates. It's on by default so you would have to set it to off before you start updating.

The reason for me not wanting the 100mb hidden system is that it can be difficult to remove or access and I like w7 to be just one partition for easy backup. But of course I don't want to force any of my ideas, but only make you aware of the situation, so google a bit on it and decide if YOU want it.

I don't know how the family pack install will go, hope it will be just as easy as normal and guess it will.

Yes if you format from w7 the partitions will be aligned at 4k

In w7 there is no F6 install as with xp, if you need you could point it to drivers at the stage where you choose the drive/partition for install, but the driver does not have to be a floppy, you can point it everywhere you like, forex. the usb stick is okay too. I guess there will be no need for the 3rd party driver to install w7 and in my case there was no real advantage in installing one afterwards either, the standard msahci one is fine and trim works with it too. but experimenting could be useful if you find performance is sub-par.

edit:
OHHH the tool failed on w2k ... shame ms ;) ... there are other (manual) methods too, would diskpart work on w2k? http://www.227volts.com/?p=706

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

From download.cnet.com/Windows-7-U...-10972600.html, the install failed on my w2k system:

Maybe I can use the HP bootable usb tool and create an ISO file from the win7 x64 DVD. Yes? No? Maybe?

What are you wanting to do, just install from USB or use Diskpart?

Sorry, got lost a bit :)

You should be able to use the USB HP tool to make a USB bootable, then just open a windows 7 install ISO in UltraISO and copy over all the contents to the bootable USB, if you are just trying to install.

That should also actually allow you to use diskpart from the startup options as well, as long as this method works that is.

[kick]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

1.There is a "tool" out there
Paragons migrate os from hdd to ssd.
I found it rubbish.
2.Im using the ocz vertex2 60gb so its similar

My win 7 dvd is also an "upgrade" version.

Installation procedure was:
1. optimised defaults then reboot
2.turn off pc disconnect hdd
3.connect ssd set bios to ahci and 1st boot device to dvd.
4.Boot up+Install win 7 using custom mode
5.After install put on intel drivers,then immediately run WEI
WEI should disable indexing and defragmenting on the ssd.
7.activate Win7 using key before taking any updates.
This should work ok ,but there is a workaround to google,if needed.
8.Install gx,mouse and ancillary drivers.
9.Set swapfile to 400mb min,2Gb max (for space).
10.Connect up hdd,move complete WOW install over to ssd(30Gb)
install AVG and adaware to run from hdd.
Set all dloads etc to hdd in a seperate partition even if u wish.

result :Instant boot,very fast WoW(from before).read/write approx 260/260 mb/s
WEI 7.5(ssd 7.7).
Free space on drive 8-10Gb,have to keep an eye on that.
No problems so far .
Firmware is whatever was on the ssd 1.23 I think.

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

Win7 is up and running with my SSD as a boot only setup.
Installed via DVD because nothing worked trying to create a bootable USB drive.

Following Darkje's recommendations I performed:

• SSD format using all available space.
• Used Paragon's Partition alignment tool for 4K alignment.
• Hdd format, 5 partitions.
• Used Paragon's Partition alignment tool for 4K alignment for all partitions.
• Set bios Sata AHCI Mode = Enabled before installing win7.
• Installed win7_x64 with the SSD as the only drive in my system.
• SSD firmware uses the latest 1.25 version, no update needed.
• Let win7 install their msahci drivers, RST not installed for the time being.
• I've delayed o/s activation for now.

Win7 install and subsequent updates worked fine, with one exception, win7 repeatedly rejected the product key!!
Guess I'll need to call m/s to straighten this out.

Ran WEI and then set the indexing folder to my "Temp" D: drive for my HDD partitions only, and no indexing for my boot drive.
"Moved" the win7 DOWNLOAD and TEMP folders to my D: drive.
Left the pagefile alone for now.
Installed all my benchmarking and graphics demos to my D: drive.
Rignt now 23.5GB is used on my SSD, with 32.3GB free space. Total capacity is 55.8GB.

Current WEI scores are in the attached photo.
Humorous note, my first WEI run was before the Nvidia graphics drivers were installed.
I wasn't expecting both graphics scores to be 1.0
The current scores are with my N460GTX Hawk at stock settings.
Check out my http://forums.tweaktown.com/video-ca...g-results.html thread to see how a graphics noob deals with overclocking.

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.

How do I like win7?
Performance = great, especially with an SSD boot drive.
Features and functionality = a royal PITA unlearning what used to work and trying to master win7's way of doing things.
I almost wish that there was a global "LEGACY" setting so that I could quickly have my system set up my way.
My biggest gripe is the "universal" window setup for different folders.
I think that there's a $10 program that lets you have unique displays/sizes for each win7 folder.

[Darkje]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

It looks like it's working fine! wei score is very similar to what I got, and looking at your gfx benchies the 460 is performing nicely too, except for some TDR error. These usually mean that for some reason the card did not respond within the set time-out period. Can be related to OC but some drivers seem more sensitive than others, same goes for different cards, some seem more sensitive. I've also seen other causes for TDR, like ram-oc. Sometimes you need to clock some clocks down a few mhz, or alter the time-out period to get rid of it.

The cpu-speed oddness happened too me to when running E8400 at 8.5times multi. The program just used fsb times max-multi to estimate the speed...

Getting used to a new shell can be a major pita, can't make it any other way, all I can say is that w7 is worth the trouble, it's very solid and quite practical imo., so maybe best to just surrender to it instead of fighting it, and look up some w7 tips&tricks -many guides around- to make your work more pleasant. Gotta love the 'shake window' stuff and winkey+arrows... ;)

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

Aha, 4.725MHz divided by my 10.5 max cpu multiplier = 450MHz, my current FSB. Seems kinda funny that this error only occurs (so far) in the graphics benchmark programs.
I'll have to check out what TDR is. In my graphics overclocking thread I indirectly touched on the fact that it appears that pushing graphics memory a bit too far doesn't appear to be fatal, but that it might slow things down a bit, such as memory retries, and this could degrade overall graphics performance.
Yah, it's frustrating to learn the new shell and only be able to operate at about 33% efficiency.

I'm taking a brute force approach to the graphics overclocking, as if you couldn't tell by my most recent post where I push as high as I can go and then start doing some real stress testing starting at the top and gradually work my way lower. While 3DMark11 probably isn't the best first test, I've now got a general idea how increasing gpu by 10MHz compares with increasing memory by 200MHz. The funny thing is that I doubt that I'll ever be a pc gamer and probably won't do anything more demanding than using a flight simulator to travel around the world.

Did I over buy with my current video card? Yup!!
Do I regret spending $20 - $30 more than I should have? Nope!!

Thanks again for your help and feedback.

***EDIT*** I forgot to add that I had already bookmarked and downloaded 6 - 8 different win7 guides before I did my win7 install.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

I agree, hate windows 7 interface!

I made the move not long ago myself, and one of the first things I did was change the taskbar back to Vista style!

Nice to see your setup went smoothly man!

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

#%@$&*+!~ windows 7!!!
The documentation says that win 7 will only share files/folders over a home network with other win 7 systems.
I have both my systems connected with a cat 6 crossover network cable and now can't easily access files to or from my backup w2k system.

Anyone know of any hacks that will let me easily share files between my systems?
Do I kneed to buy a router?

[Darkje]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

I have an xp-mce machine in my network and can access it from my w7 machine. It's not in the homegroup but it is listed in the network. I did have some problems with eset smart security's firewall, but after enabling all services in 'ids and advanced options' it's working fine. I do have all machines set to using the same workgroup.

It should work with a crosscable too if you used static ip's and netmasks(or have some dhcp service running), I guess...

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

Thanks, I'll give it a try once I install ZoneAlarm (firewall only).
Both machines are in the same work group, but I had win 7 set up for a home group.
My problem might be related to something with windows defender/firewall settings.
Both systems are sending/receiving packets, but I can't access shared partitions.

My bigger current problem is the win 7 wireless usb suddenly isn't working properly. It has limited internet connect-ability but none of the browsers work. Swapping the identical wireless usb modules didn't help. Deleting and re-installing the drivers made no difference. I think that I up-gemucked something while trying to connect my systems.

When both systems ran w2k, I merely configured ZoneAlarm on each system to allow the self-assigned 169.xxx.xxx.xxx ip address on the other machine.

As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say: "It's always something."

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

Ya, I use network too on Vista, XP, and Win7 in my house without any issues.

Just make sure they all have the same workgroup name and then any difficulties would be due to a firewall on one end or the other.

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

Minor update:
I deleted the 260.99 Nvidia drivers to try the "original" 259.22 drivers.
Re-booted into safe mode to run Driver Sweeper to clean up any residue.
Booting into windows, I was greeted with an all black screen with no apparent activity from the case's hdd indicator light. Pressing ctrl + alt + delete gave me a standard light blue win7 screen with several options, none of which would help.

I restored my system state from a two day old restore point and now my browsers work fine.
Somehow I must have up-gemucked something.
Next step is to disable win 7 defender and firewall and install ZoneAlarm firewall to see if both of my systems will share files.

[profJim]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

My second OCZ Agility2 hard drive just arrived for my other system, $90 after mail in rebate.
If you're interested, Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) is available for $115 ($100 after MIR) until January 31st. Nice buy if you need 50K IOPs instead of 10K IOPs.

Update after 30 days:

• WEI ssd scores = 7.6 to 7.7
• WEI graphics scores = 7.3 (stock 780/3600MHz) and 7.5 (o/c = 900/400MHz).
• System performance is much faster than the w2k setup.
• Using the same hardware, wireless maximum sustained download speeds are often 3 - 4 times faster; averaging about 1.2MB/sec and up to 1.9MB/sec.
• Only 24GB is used on the SSD boot drive, which includes 4GB pagefile.sys and 3GB Hiberfil.sys files.
• 32GB of free space is available.
• System Indexing is enabled but the INDEXER folder was moved off of the boot drive.
• Windows search feature is very, very fast.
• I still need to disable all unneeded windows processes. (If ain't broke, don't fix it!!)

The following folders were moved from the boot drive to the first partition on the hard drive:

• C:\TEMP and C:\TMP folders
• C:\USERS\xxxxx\DOWNLOADS folder
• Temporary Internet Files folder
• Indexer folder (about 400MB)

The My Documents folder is NEVER kept on my boot drive.

All of my large graphics benchmark software applications are installed on the hard drive.
All partitions on the 640GB hard drive are 4K aligned using Paragon's Partition Alignment tool.

Prior to this SSD/win7 upgrade all of my Western Digital Caviar Black hard drives had similar performance.
The WD640 drive benchmark scores used to be about 3% faster than the WD750 and WD1TB drives.

The following ATTO benchmarks were performed with all drives connected to my system.
The WD1TB drive was connected via eSata from a Rosewill external enclosure and seems to have taken a minor performance hit.
With 4K partition alignment, the WD640 drive is now about 20 -22% faster than the non-aligned hard drives.

Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions.

(right click on the benchmarks image and copy it into your image viewing program to zoom and read the details)

[Ken429]

Re: new SSD: OCZ Agility2 60GB (Extended Capacity)

ProfJim,
Good to see you are moving into the W7 SSD world. I wish I would have dialed in sooner to this thread since I think, as usual, I have stumbled into almost every issue/problem available.

I along with a few hundred other people finally got Paragon to fix their free alignment tool so that it worked on all my machines. But... I did not bother to run any before and after benchmarks on the WD 500, 640 and 750GB HDD. Good to see that it made them faster!

I got caught up in the "SSD early adopters" stuff and have moved as much of the boot disk write files and folders to a 150GB Raptor Drive. That included the User folders, Windows Temp folders, Swap File, some program installs that are used infrequently (ex. Turbo Tax) and lastly all the W7 Log files! I also let SSD Tweaker do what ever it wanted to make W7 get along better with the SSD dirve.

About the only real problem I encountered with the GSkill SSD drive was giong from Fimware version 2.1 to 3.1. It seems the Sandforce firmware update tools are somewhat error prone. Anyway, I found that if I do the firmware update from an old version of W7 on a HDD the Sandfore update seems to work as advertised.

After all the above, it appears that the Sandforce SSD firmware and W7 software has gotten much better at recovering space on the SSD and I probably did not have to move all the disk write stuff to the Raptor since the SSD drive may out last me before it gets worn out! Comments please.

P.S. I have used every version of Windows along the way and W7 is the best yet - even though I sold my MSFT stock when they discontinued MSMoney and don't seem to want to upgrade Window Home Server - Vail with all the good stuff in the original version of WHS. I have not had any networking issues between W7, WHS, WinXP, and VISTA but then I'm going thru a gigabit switch.