[SOLVED] ADATA SSD install

I'm looking at a locally refurbed Alienware machine with Windows 10 home, a 256 GB SSD (boot) by ADATA (su655) and a 1 TB hard drive.

Searching for relevant Slackware install info, I find no 'easy' install ideas for SSD's - judging by my limited knowledge.

I had hoped to remove / write over Windows 10, install Slack64 14.2 from DVD, then multilib, with boot, swap and root on SSD, usr/local and home on HD. But this looks (to me) overly complicated and of doubtful success. I've seen a number of (again, complicated) installs on Ubuntu and others, up to 2018, but none on Slackware.

I've done installs of Slack64 14.2 on other machines, but have not dealt with windows 10 before. My main concern is the SSD compatibility. Are there any Slackware updates, for example, which might now make this a bit easier?

My question is - What is the practicality of this effort for a non-guru?
Appreciate any opinions. Thanks.

jrc

Is this SSD SATA or NVMe? If it's SATA, it will work exactly like a normal HDD, and be recognized the same (sdX) as a normal hard drive. So other than it being faster, the install would be no different than if they were both HDD's. If it's NVMe, it would be much harder, as it's my understanding that 14.2 doesn't support NVMe with the default kernel (someone will correct me if I'm mistaken with that).

Thank you Timothy,

I find one reference (https://www.bestadvisor.com/external...vs-adata-su655) which claims it is a SATA, with 6 GB/s interface (scroll down, down). Also says 'Linux Compatible' whatever that means.

Had trouble finding this info on ADATA website (www.adata.com).

Maybe this is encouraging...

jrc

Didn't even notice you had put the model in the first post. Yeah, that drive will work fine. The only thing I'd do AFTER installing is set boot options to noatime for any partitions on the SSD, and set up to periodically run a trim on it. But the installation process will be exactly the same as if you just had 2 hard drives.

Thanks Timothy - really appreciate it. I will go buy it (NOT holding anyone responsible but me).
Then go ahead with a standard install.

Take care, thanks for help.
jrc

I don't think that, in common daily use, setting noatime mount options really is necessary. I've more than year old ADATA SU900 drive with <1% wear out. Only maintenance I do on it is manually running "fstrim" from time to time.

However this can be good idea, if your refurbed drive has significant wearing out. Consult "smartctl -a" to find out.

Thanx to both of you for comments.

Well, just to close this out, I purchased this used computer - and running fdisk it does show /dev/sda at about 240 GB, and then /dev/sdb as the 1 TB HD. So I guess I'm good to go.

This is a monster machine - a DELL Alienware Aurora R4. Don't know exactly how much it weighs, manual says 'average 45 lb'. It is HEAVY. has 16 GB memory, an i7 chip (up to 4 Ghz). Measures 25 in. front to back. Going to enjoy this.

Thanks for the comments, mainly pointing out that this ADATA SSD is a SATA device - not the newest and fastest (that would be an NVMe) but faster than spinners.

jrc

Originally Posted by Timothy Miller as it's my understanding that 14.2 doesn't support NVMe with the default kernel (someone will correct me if I'm mistaken with that).

And the installer on the standard ISO media will not recognize it either.
AFTER install, of course, the kernel can be updated but the problem is: how to install it.
Probably only from a live -current ISO or USB stick, but using the 14.2 media as package source.