Solved Install windows 8 - Asus S56C

nixpix

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Hi. So, I am helping someone to reinstall windows 8 on an asus s56c laptop. All partitions has been deleted prior to me taking over, due to a failed downgrade to windows 7. I was asked to "fix" it, and reinstall windows 8.

The laptop has a 24Gb SSD plus a 450Gb regular mechanic harddrive. 24Gb is too small to use as operating drive, so I assume it has been used to cache the OS. Anyways, I can´t for my live figure out how to setup all as it were from the start. I tried installing the OS to the ssd, but after windows update and stuff there is 100Mb free, no good. So I figure the OS has to go on the mechanical drive, and setup the SSD as cache, but here´s the next problem - bios has no option to set SATA as raid, which I read is required for ssd caching.
Does anyone know how to make use of the SSD for the OS? Would installing the OS on the SSD and use windows storage space work?

Note. According to specifications for the Asus S56C it comes with the SSD as a caching drive, however I am clueless as to how to set it up since the BIOS has no RAID option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64
I would say your assumptions about the normal configuration are correct. The Intel Smart Response is normally what is the small SSD is used for, but I suppose the Rapid Response may be involved and might be turned on or off in the bios.

But assuming you need the RAID, there is a SATA configuration option on the Bios Advanced tab. Is this where you are not finding a RAID alternative? What does it show as possible configurations.

There is also a SATA I/O security option, which seems to allow for locking the device. I have not seen that before, so have you checked to make sure it is unlocked?

I ran an Asus Motherboard in that configuration for a short time. Installed using the UEFI configuration and after the main drive was set up, then turned on acceleration using the small drive. But RAID does have to be available for this operation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
As with most laptops the bios is fairly limited. Under the advanced tab there is a sata configuration option, with 2 modes - AHCI and IDE, no raid. And the I/O security option for the sata interface is already unlocked. I am stumped, getting desperate haha. Been fiddling with ExpressCache, but cant get it to work, always says not licensed to run on this machine. How the F did Asus make use of the SSD.... *sigh*

Nevermind, I am daft :p Asus actually provides the ExpressCache software :)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64
I suppose I would be a little confused also. If the system did not have a RAID controller (and I need to check the specs), why would ASUS put in a Cache drive...

Is there any chance some type of Software RAID is being used? Maybe try installing and then installing the Intel Rapid Response Technology driver. There are some notes on the download page about that driver.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
I figured it out :) Its the expresscache software that handles the caching. So I made a HFS partition on the SSD and installed expresscache. Now all is good :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64

Thank you for posting the guides. However guide nr 1 requires the SSD to be large enough to fit the entire OS, which is not the case for me.

Second guide requires BIOS to have the option to set SATA config to Intel Smart Response Technology, which is not the case for me.

The solution in this particular case was ExpressCache.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64
I figured it out :) Its the expresscache software that handles the caching. So I made a HFS partition on the SSD and installed expresscache. Now all is good :)


where did you download it ? I have the same problem but expresscache software doesn't recognize my cache drive
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
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