1. Install new SSD
2. Enable AHCI in BIOS
3. Boot from Windows 7 DVD and launch Command Prompt
4. diskpart
5. list disk
6. select disk number
7. clean
8. create partition primary align=1024
9. format quick fs=ntfs
10. active
11. Exit and restart with Windows XP CD, installing to the newly-created partition.

Alignment can be verified with diskpart (list disk > select disk number > list partition > offset should be 1024KB or some multiple of 64) or AS SSD (requires .NET Framework 3 or higher; on a fresh install of XP without it, the following error appears: AS SSD Benchmark.exe - Application Error The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click on OK to terminate the application.)

• groberts101's post on the benefit of pre-formatting vs. re-aligning (with Paragon Alignment Tool, for example.)
• CruelSun's AHCI reminder
• SpeedGuide.net's SSD Speed Tweaks
• Sean Webster's note about AS SSD

/windows | Dec 12, 2012