SSD as system disk - care and maintenance ?

[southof40]

I've recently got a TP 430s running Windows 7 and the operating system is installed on a 100Gb SSD.

This makes for a nice fast boot but I'm aware that SSD's are (or at least have been) more fragile than traditional disks.

Also on the machine is the "Lenovo Recovery Partition" (which appears to be empty but I suspect is just hidden).

The machine was shipped with Windows 8 and downgraded (?) to Windows 7 by the reseller. I have a notion, although I'm not sure how I know this, that the recovery partition contains Windows 8.

Given all these circumstances what's the best way to protect myself against the SSD dying ? Specifically.

* How do I establish what's in the Recovery Partition ?
* If the Recovery Partition contains Windows 8 and I want to continue using Windows 7 is there a way to make my own "recovery partition"
* Are any of the supplied Lenovo Utilities going to be of use in backing up the operating system partition ?

Thanks.

[Brad]

In my opinion and experience SSD's are very reliable and wouldn't say they are fragile.

On a T430s that I had on the outside of the box there is a label that read.

This system in preinstalled with Windows 7 Pro software and also comes with a license and media for Windows 8 Pro software. You may only use one version of the Windows software at a time. Switching between versions will require you to uninstall one version and install the other version.

To me this means that at least on my T430s the recovery partition contains Windows 7. If you want to install Windows 8 create recovery media prior to replacing the OS so in the future you can reinstall Windows 7.

Any backup program you feel comfortable with would be the best way to protect yourself from a dying SSD. Backup as often as you can afford to loose data.

Brad

[loyukfai]

IMO, the sane way to deal with *data* maintenance is to assume that your drive is going to be gone anytime.

Therefore, the solution is external backup.

Make it off-site if necessary.

Cheers.

[bill bolton]

The machine was shipped with Windows 8 and downgraded (?) to Windows 7 by the reseller.

If it really was downgraded by the reseller, you need to be asking them exactly what the did with the existing partition layout.

As far as disk data goes - if its important, back it up frequently, no matter whether it is on an HDD or SSD!

In my experience SSDs are not fragile.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[aPanzerIV]

SSD's are not fragile, but DO NOT DEFRAG THEM. If you are really worried about your ssd, you should back it up to ye oldie style hard disk, like everyone else mentioned.