SSD Optimization

[Damonharp]

Greetings all!

I recently received a new computer, and am completely stoked. It cost a pretty penny, but alas, I feel like i'm missing out on many of the finer points that would make this system awesome.

My primary concern is the usage of my solid state drive vs it's more widely used counterpart. The ssd is 120GB, vs the 2TB on the other, but it seems that there is no way to make the other hard drive my "Main" repository.

I understand that many programs can be specified as to the location they are installed, however a select few, like curse client, default into the SSD drive (The one i only want to hold my OS, WoW, and Guild Wars2) without any regard to my very reasonable wishes...

It can also be noted that the desktop, and similar user files, are in the SSD drive as well. I would LOVE to have the desktop stored in the 2 TB drive as well, but it seems all I can do is make a very convincing copy.

I guess i'm asking if there is any way to make the 2TB HD function a bit more like you would expect a primary hard drive to function.

[Masark]

It can also be noted that the desktop, and similar user files, are in the SSD drive as well. I would LOVE to have the desktop stored in the 2 TB drive as well, but it seems all I can do is make a very convincing copy.

Go into your user folder (%userprofile%), right-click one of the folders, hit "properties", go into the "location" tab, and hit the move button, then specify where you want it on your hard drive.

Do this for each one and all the stuff will now live on your big mechanical drive.

[IRunSoFarAway]

f you can't choose the install path, just try and move it and/or change the .cfg files to whatever path your game installation is.

I'm not sure how you got anything other than what you want on your SSD. All you have to do is create shortcuts from the files/folders on the HDD to your new desktop and that's that, the only thing on your Desktop will be the shortcuts to the files/folders that are on the HDD or SSD. For everything else, like Firefox or something, all you have to do is set the download/install path to a folder the HDD, then you can just make a shortcut to that on your desktop, if you want.

If you have a horrible program that doesn't let you choose where you install it, and doesn't allow you to move it anywhere else, you might need some kind of other program that will easily allow you to do that, or you might need to edit the directory in each individual game config file.

Edit: Here's what files/folders and their paths/shortcuts look like on my desktop, hope this helps: http://bobabooey9.imgur.com/all/

[tielknight]

You would have to use REGEDIT to change that, though pretty much any program should have a option to change the install-path, though that might not affect curse as it likes to install itself in the middle of fricking nowhere(users/_______/appdata/roaming/microsoft/windows/start menu/programs/curse) for some stupid-as-hell reason. You used to be able to choose where to install it and whoever though that new "installer" was a good idea should be slapped, until then your pretty much stuck with it there unless the REGEDIT change will affect it as well.

You can read a bit more about that here or just read this :

Just go to Registry Editor
by
WinKey + R
and
regedit and browse to the following Key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Double click on the value ProgramFilesDir in the box type the path that you want as defualt and you are done

Go into your user folder (%userprofile%), right-click one of the folders, hit "properties", go into the "location" tab, and hit the move button, then specify where you want it on your hard drive.

That only applies to stuff like My Pictures and My Music, so it won't really help

[Deleted]

Another solution is symlinks. When you notice a program has installed on your SSD erroneously, move it to your HDD, and create a symlink to the new path on the SSD. That way shortcuts and registrykeys that refer to the SSD-location will not have to be changed.

I'm not allowed to post links yet but there's an article called "How to Use Symlinks in Windows" on lifehacker . com if you don't know how they work.

[Deleted]

Another solution is symlinks. When you notice a program has installed on your SSD erroneously, move it to your HDD, and create a symlink to the new path on the SSD. That way shortcuts and registrykeys that refer to the SSD-location will not have to be changed.

I'm not allowed to post links yet but there's an article called "How to Use Symlinks in Windows" on lifehacker . com if you don't know how they work.

http://lifehacker.com/5496652/how-to...nks-in-windows
is the guide, but I prefere to use a little app

https://code.google.com/p/symlinker/

[KayossZero]

http://lifehacker.com/5496652/how-to...nks-in-windows
is the guide, but I prefere to use a little app

https://code.google.com/p/symlinker/

Yeah, a GUI app works wonders for making this much easier. I personally use http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinks...extension.html my self and love it.

[Deleted]

Yeah, a GUI app works wonders for making this much easier. I personally use http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinks...extension.html my self and love it.

ooh, that looks interesting, ill take a look at that.

[Damonharp]

You would have to use REGEDIT to change that, though pretty much any program should have a option to change the install-path, though that might not affect curse as it likes to install itself in the middle of fricking nowhere(users/_______/appdata/roaming/microsoft/windows/start menu/programs/curse) for some stupid-as-hell reason. You used to be able to choose where to install it and whoever though that new "installer" was a good idea should be slapped, until then your pretty much stuck with it there unless the REGEDIT change will affect it as well.

You can read a bit more about that here or just read this :





That only applies to stuff like My Pictures and My Music, so it won't really help

I tried browsing to the afore mentioned file, but when I drill down to CurrentVersion I don't have a file by the name of ProgramFilesDir, is that normal?

[Masark]

I tried browsing to the afore mentioned file, but when I drill down to CurrentVersion I don't have a file by the name of ProgramFilesDir, is that normal?

In general, if the registry keys/values you're wanting to modify don't exist, just create them.

[DeltrusDisc]

http://www.thessdreview.com/ssd-guid...ion-guide-2/2/

There's some things you should do. Like killing the pagefile (or making it smaller) and turning off defragmentation, etc.

[Deleted]

Goodluck with the SSD, I broke 2 by now within 3 weeks. Damn things just one day stopped being detected by Bios. No signs of burns, no nothing.

[Masark]

Goodluck with the SSD, I broke 2 by now within 3 weeks. Damn things just one day stopped being detected by Bios. No signs of burns, no nothing.

Stop buying OCZ then.

[Deleted]

Stop buying OCZ then.

*cough*intel*cough*

[DeltrusDisc]

*cough*intel*cough*

Which ones? Some of Intel's are rock solid, others? Not so much.

To be fair though, I've had my Crucial m4 128GB in my system for over 3 years without a hiccup. I know Xuvial (doesn't seem to post as much anymore, sadly) has had/or still has? his OCZ Vertex 2 SSD in his system from 2009-2010!

Are you sure your motherboard even supports them? Firmware is good? AHCI mode? These things can matter.

[Deleted]

Which ones? Some of Intel's are rock solid, others? Not so much.

To be fair though, I've had my Crucial m4 128GB in my system for over 3 years without a hiccup. I know Xuvial (doesn't seem to post as much anymore, sadly) has had/or still has? his OCZ Vertex 2 SSD in his system from 2009-2010!

Are you sure your motherboard even supports them? Firmware is good? AHCI mode? These things can matter.

Intel Solid State Drive (SSD) 330 Series, 120GB, SATA 3, 2.5''

Whatever happened to break them, did so at the turning on or off of the computer. I'm suspecting a slight jolt of electricity fried them but not enough as to show burn marks. Also suspecting design flaws of the SSD here, as nothing else in my computer fried with either of those.

The guys at warranty had no choice but to replace them both as they had no proof of the customer being at fault, though I do think it was my computer, more precisely the power source may not be working flawlessly and it was enough to break those ssds.

I asked for my money back after the 2nd as it was just wasted time to keep installing the OS every time on a new ssd only to have it break down on me.

[DeltrusDisc]

I'd try Samsung or Crucial.

[Vermicious]

I'd try Samsung or Crucial.

I have one of each... no issues at all. I've had the Crucial for several years, the Samsung is somewhat newer.

[Deleted]

Stop buying OCZ then.

my OCZ Agility 3 has been rock solid for the last 2 and half years. I would buy one again.

[DeltrusDisc]

my OCZ Agility 3 has been rock solid for the last 2 and half years. I would buy one again.

FYI they aren't the same company anymore.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7559/t...for-35-million