FAQs

No, Samsung does not offer any type of SSD-installation service for customers.

Please refer to the install guide in the user manual. If you have difficulty installing your SSD, you may seek assistance at a local PC store or independent service center.

Each package contains the same SSD but includes different accessories. Please refer to accessories list for each package design below.

- Desktop : Installation Guide, Warranty Statement Summary, USB to SATA cable, SATA Data cable, Screw, Bracket, CD(Data Migration Software, Magician Software, Warranty statement, One-Stop Install Navigator)

- Laptop : Installation Guide, Warranty Statement Summary, USB 3.0 to SATA to cable, Drive Spacer, CD(Data Migration Software, Magician Software, Warranty statement, One-Stop Install Navigator)

- Basic : Installation Guide, Warranty Statement Summary, CD(Data Migration Software, Magician Software, Warranty statement, One-Stop Install Navigator)

Yes, Samsung SSDs are backward compatible with SATA 3Gb/s (SATA II). and SATA 1.5Gb/s (SATA I).

However, we do not recommend the usage in the condition of SATA 3Gb/s (SATA II) or SATA 1.5Gb/s (SATA I).

If you are seeking the maximum performance, you may want to consider upgrading the motherboard on your system.

All operating systems support Samsung SSDs, but not all operating systems are optimized to keep SSDs working at the peak performance.

Older operating systems, such as Windows XP and Windows Vista, do not support certain SSD maintenance features like TRIM.

Windows XP and Windows Vista users can use Samsung SSD Magician to manually schedule and run SSD maintenance.

Samsung SSD Magician is not currently supported via Mac OS X or Linux.

- The best way to enable AHCI is to go to BIOS and enable AHCI mode, and then install the operating system. Boot the system, enter BIOS setup, and change SATA settings from IDE to AHCI.

- Install the operating system.

When Windows is installed without enabling the AHCI mode in BIOS setup, an error may occur during the booting. Change the settings as shown below, or reinstall Windows.

- Go to Start>Run, and then enter ""regedit"" in the Run window and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > services > msahci In this menu, you will see an item named Start. Double-click it to change it to ""0""and then reboot.

- Enter BIOS setup, and change SATA settings from IDE to AHCI.

• ASUS Intel chipset : Main > Storage Configuration > Configure SATA as In this menu, select AHCI

• ASUS AMD chipset : Main > Storage Configuration > SATA Mode Select In this menu, change to AHCI Mode

• GIGABYTE Intel chipset : Integrated Peripherals > SATA RAID/AHCI Mode In this menu, select ""AHCI""

• GIGABYTE AMD chipset : Integrated Peripherals > OnChip SATA Type In this menu, select AHCI

• MSI Intel chipset/ AMD chipset : Integrated Peripherals > On-Chip ATA Devices > In RAID Mode, select AHCI

Samsung SSD's peak performance is hardly reached with SATA III (6GB/s) expansion cards. We do not recommend the use of such expansion cards. If you are want the maximum performance, consider an upgrade to a motherboard which support SATA III.

Firmware is a tiny software program stored in a semiconductor chip, such as a NAND chip.

It includes the software code and commands necessary for operating a device.

Firmware is designed to be updated via software updates so that manufacturers can improve performance and quality of the hardware.

Samsung SSD's Firmware can be updated via the Samsung SSD Magician software.

If you do not have the software CD came with the SSD, Magician can be downloaded from the Samsung website at www.samsung.com/ssd or www.samsung.com/samsungssd.

Samsung occasionally provides new firmware in order to improve SSD performance, compatibility, and user experience.

Firmware update is recommended whenever a new version is released. SSD drive and Model number are shown.

If you encounter any problem with the Live firmware Update feature and your SSD is 470 series, you can perform DOS-based firmware update utility via bootable CD/DVD/USB.

1. Firmware Update using Magician: http://www.samsung.com/samsungssd

• When a new firmware is available for Samsung SSD on your system, a message "New Version of Firmware Detected (Version Number)" appears next to the Update button on the Firmware Update screen.

2. DOS Firmware update Utility: http://www.samsung.com/samsungssd

[Caution]

- Before updating the firmware, please back up your data and close all running applications (except Magician)

- Before updating the firmware, please check whether your SSD's firmware is the latest version or not

• Magician home -> Firmware Update

• Samsung website : http://www.samsung.com/samsungssd

[Caution]

- Please do not power off during firmware update

- Firmware Update cannot be performed on a RAPID Enabled SSD

- PC reboot is required

Samsung recommends the users to upgrade to the latest version of firmware. Please update your firmware when a new version is available.

The easiest way to update the firmware on your SSD is to use the Magician software.

This software is only available for Windows, not available on Linux or Mac OS X.

You may also create a bootable USB drive or a CD with a Firmware ISO file available at http://www.samsung.com/samsungssd.

[Caution]

The following steps assume that all necessary files are present on the USB/CD/DVD disk. Please refer to the Make Bootable USB or Burn Bootable CD/DVD section for more information.

1. Configure the USB/CD/DVD drive as the primary boot device in the BIOS.

NOTE: Enable AHCI/IDE/ATA mode on your system

2. Restart the computer in DOS mode with the bootable USB/CD/DVD.

3. The Firmware Update utility is launched automatically.

4. After reading the disclaimer, Press [Y] to accept the terms.

5. The application scans for any connected SSDs. A list of detected disk(s) is displayed.

6. Press [Y] to confirm and proceed with the firmware update process.

CAUTION: Do not disturb the system until the firmware update is complete.

7. The disk is updated to the latest firmware.

[Caution]

- Before updating the firmware, please back up your data and close all running applications (except Magician).

- Before updating the firmware, please check whether your SSD's firmware is the latest version or not.

• Magician home -> Firmware Update

• Samsung website : http://www.samsung.com/samsungssd

- Please do not power off during firmware update.

- Firmware Update cannot be performed on a RAPID Enabled SSD.

- Please connect the SSD to the mainboard's SATA port 0.

- PC reboot is required.

1. Insert a USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer. Please wait for the computer to recognize the device

2. Run Magician and click the Browse button under the Secure Erase menu of Magician

3. Choose the attached USB Flash Disk

4. Click the Start button; a progress bar will appear to show the status of the bootable USB disk creation

5. Once completed, restart the computer and boot from the USB disk to initiate the Firmware Update process

6. Follow the steps in the DOS Firmware Utility section

1. Insert a blank CD/DVD into an optical drive; please wait for the System to recognize the inserted disk

2. Click the Browse button on the Secure Erase screen of Magician

3. Choose the attached CD/DVD Drive

4. Click the Start button; a progress bar will appear to show the status of the bootable USB disk creation

5. Once completed, restart the computer and boot from the USB disk to initiate the Firmware Update process

6. Follow the steps in the DOS Firmware Utility section

If you use an x86-based Linux machine, you may load the firmware ISO file onto a bootable USB drive from a Windows-based computer.

If your Mac OS supports booting from USB, you might be able to upgrade your firmware this way as well.

You can download the firmware ISO file from http://www.samsung.com/ssd or http://www.samsung.com/samsungssd .

The only way to update your firmware is to download and run the SSD Magician Tool.

Once you have this tool, there are several ways to perform the update: via CD, via bootable USB drive, and via Magician itself.

Additional information about this application can be found in this FAQ list.

Run the Magician software and choose “Firmware Update” under the navigation menu.

If the program suggests that you do not need to update the firmware, you have the latest firmware.

Magician software is available for Windows only, not for Linux or Mac OS X.

Updating firmware should not affect the data stored on your drive.

However, it is highly recommended to back up your data to another drive before updating firmware to mitigate any potential risk.

No. Once you upgrade the firmware, you cannot go back to an older version.

It should not be necessary to go back to an older firmware because we fully test every firmware release to ensure that it is optimized for performance, reliability and compatibility.

Magician currently does not support the USB to SATA interface.

Please update by connecting the disk to a SATA cable on a desktop PC or installing the disk in the internal drive bay of a laptop.

No. SSDs are drop-in replacements for standard HDDs.

There is no device driver for Samsung SSD.

All Samsung SSDs work as a plug-and-play device; your system should recognize the SSD immediately after connecting the device cable.

Not really. All SATA cables are compatible with SATA 6Gb/s (SATA III).

While some vendors claim to offer special cables, they do not affect the performance.

Refer to the install guide in the user manual or one stop install navigator.

http://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support

If you are installing the SSD into a new system, you can ensure that your SSD is the boot drive by making sure that it is the only drive plugged into the computer when you install the operating system.

Simply unplug the power cable and SATA interface connector from your 3.5 inch hard disk drive inside the chassis of your PC.

Connect both cables to your 2.5 inch SSD. Place the 2.5 inch SSD gently in a location inside the chassis where it will not bounce around or get damaged.

For greater structural integrity, you can affix a 3.5” adapter bracket to your 2.5 inch SSD. These brackets are included with the Desktop Installation Kit.

If you do not have a 3.5” bracket, you can purchase it online or at most local IT stores.

There is no "best" RAID configuration.

Consumers who choose to set up a RAID configuration should choose the option best-suited to their particular usage scenario.

Each RAID configuration has specific advantages and disadvantages.

Those looking for the highest possible performance may configure at least two SSDs in RAID 0 mode.