Question about SSD

[Ripcord]

Hi all,

I recently bought this laptop http://www.samsung.c.../NP530U4C-S01IN , which has a 24GB SSD and 1TB HDD

My question

1. why am I not seeing the SSD in "My Computer" drive listings although I see the disk "Disk Management" (Please see attached)

2. If I were to install a OS (say Windows 8), how can I get it installed in the SSD

3. Since the Disk management shows 100% free space i am not sure what is part of this now. Can anyone help me here

Cheers

[HoochieMamma]

"1TB S-ATA II Hard Drive (5,400RPM) with ExpressCache 24GB"

It seems the SSD part is integrated into the HDD like a WD Hybrid drive.

[mrp04]

"1TB S-ATA II Hard Drive (5,400RPM) with ExpressCache 24GB"

It seems the SSD part is integrated into the HDD like a WD Hybrid drive.

It's not. It's integrated at chipset/software level. 24GB SSD is too small to use as a system drive so instead it's used as a cache drive. It operates basically the same as the hard drives with built in flash cache, but it's larger so it's more effective. Most often accessed files will be automatically and dynamically stored on the SSD to boost hard drive performance. You would be able to install Windows on it if you really wanted to, but it's far too small to be usable. You wouldn't be able to install any programs or your computer would run out of room as the Windows folder balloons in size when you install updates.

[Ripcord]

Thanks guys..I see that express cache software / service is running

now it makes sense.. Thanks for the clarifications

Cheers

[Ripcord]

OK. I found out that the SSD is "sandisk ssd i100 24gb "

Does that mean it's integrated too? please see the attachment

[Astra.Xtreme]

If you opened up the laptop, you'd see something like one of these (not sure which one of the 3 is the i100) plugged into the motherboard. It's technically integrated, but the chip itself is removable.

[Sandor]

Am I the only one who thinks that's a ridiculous set up?

[+Fahim S. MVC]

You should check the BIOS - there should be an option to not use the SSD as a cache drive but instead use it as a separate disk. Not sure it'll be much use given it is so small but may be useful if you ever decide to replace it with something bigger.