5.9.1 SSD Storage Issues

Learn how to maintain SSDs and resolve common issues that might arise when using them.

While traditional HDDs require regular optimization and defragmentation, SSDs don't need them nearly as much since they don't have read/write heads. When reading a fragmented file, no repositioning needs to happen. SSDs simply don't care where the fragmented pieces of a file are, it can read them at the same speed as a contiguous file.

SSDs store data in cells in blocks of flash memory. Defragmentation actually harms the drive, since by doing so you consume the finite amount of read/write operations each storage cell has.

If you're using Microsoft-Windows, it's recommended to use the Control Panel's Security & Maintenance menu to disable automatic disk defragmentation for SSD storage devices.

When using SSDs, it's important to not use them on systems where storage-intensive programs are used commonly, such as graphic and audio editing programs. If they are used with SSDs, they can wear them out very quickly and cause them to fail prematurely. However, these programs benefit greatly from the increased speed that comes with using SSDs, so there is a tradeoff to consider.

Hybrid Systems

There are situations where a mix of storage devices will actually be better for your needs. In high-performance systems, many choose to have heavily used information stored on a standard HDD, while high-performance data is stored on the SSD. Important data that's stored on the SSD might have a backup copy on the HDD.

TRIM

TRIM is a way to extend the lifetime of an SSD. It's a feature that allows the OS to communicate with the SSD and inform it which blocks of data on the drives are no longer needed, and to wipe them. This prevents the SSD from storing unnecessary data and being overused.

To query the system for the status of the TRIM setting on Microsoft Windows, run the following command in CMD or PowerShell: fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify. A value of 0 (zero) means that TRIM is enabled, and a value of 1 (one) means it is not.

To manually enable TRIM on Microsoft Windows, run the following command: fsutil behavior set DeleteDisableNotify 0.

#V

#Aplus