GUIDE Install ExpressCache for SSD Caching

Question

After purchasing a M5-481T as well as setting up a M5-581T, I wanted to be able to reproduce the factory SSD caching for these models. They both come with 20GB SSD's that are used for both Intel's Rapid Start technology as well as Diskeepers ExpressCache. After quite a bit of research, I became underwhelemed with Acer's support and provided downloads. While setting up these laptops, I did create the Drivers and Applications DVD's before blowing away the default build. These did not contain the ExpressCache software, nor did the download website. I even called Acer asking for support and I was told that with these models, the SSD drives are not used for caching only for the Rapid Start. The technican I spoke with was adamant about this. To make a long journey short, I was able to figure out how to replicate the default SSD caching in addition to the Rapid Start that comes on the default build of these devices. This should be handy for people that are trying to do clean installs for various reasons. The key to this is to have the ExpressCache software from the default build. The software is licensed to the OEM system builders and without it the software doesn't work. Fortunately for us, if you have the files then your golden. This proves quite difficult when Acer doesn't provide the software to download. Two key items are needed for the ExpressCache install. The software from a different Vendor, and the files from the default system build. I have provided them for you at the following links: ExpressCache Install: http://depositfiles.com/files/l73q0rizhExpressCache Acer Files: http://depositfiles.com/files/68vvduipq Hopefully if you have made it this far, you don't need a guide on how to install software. The idea is simple:1.) Install the Software using the installer from the ExpressCache Install link above. Don't worry if you get a message that says that it couldn't detect the SSD Drive to use. We will fix this later. Don't reboot when prompted to do so.2.) Use the files in the ExpressCache Acer Files download link above to overwrite the ones that were created during the installation in step 1. (copy everything in that download the the program files folder) The location is: C:\Program Files\Condusiv Technologies\ExpressCache\. Once this is done, you may restart the computer.*3.) If you happen to have restarted before completing step 2 above, all you have to do is stop the ExpressCache service and then do step 2. Start the service back up when completed. Now that the ExpressCache software is installed, we need to make a decision. Do you want to use Intel Rapid Start? If you don't care about Rapid Start, the process is much easier. If you do, then go down to the Rapid Start with ExpressCache Instructions. ExpressCache Only: 1.) Open an elevated command prompt and type diskpart.2.) type "list disk" (note the drive number of the SSD).3.) type "select disk n" (n= the drive number found above)4.) type "clean"5.) type "exit"6.) Now that you are back to the normal command prompt, lets navigate to the ExpressCache directory. Do this by typing "cd C:\Program Files\Condusiv Technologies\ExpressCache\"7.) type "ECCmd -partition" (this tells ExpressCache to use the whole SSD drive)8.) Your DONE! to confirm that it is working, you can type "ECCmd -info" and ensure that it starts showing you some caching statistics. Intel Rapid Start with ExpressCache: 1.) Open an elevated command prompt and type diskpart.2.) type "list disk" (note the drive number of the SSD).3.) type "select disk n" (n= the drive number found above)4.) type "clean"5.) type "create partition primary size=NNNN" (NNNN= the amount of memory you have in your system. So if you have 6GB's of RAM, replace NNNN with 6000)6.) type "detail disk" (Note the volume number of the partition that you created in step 5)7.) type "select Volume M" (Replace M with the volume number from the previous step)8.) type "set id=84 override"9.) type "exit"10.) The above steps created a hibernation partition on the SSD drive approximately equal to your RAM. Before you can Install Rapid Start, you will need to reboot the computer or else it will not install. You can do this now or after you setup ExpressCache.11.) Installation of Intel Rapid Start is straight forward. Just download it from the Intel web site and install it. You can also refer to the Rapid Start User guide for the above steps as well as how to configure Rapid Start: Intel Rapid Start (as of 3/21/13): http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.aspx?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/21612/eng/Rapid_Start_Win7_2.1.0.1002.exe&lang=eng&Dwnldid=21612&DownloadType=%0a%09%09%09%09%09%09%09Drivers%0a%09%09%09%09%09%09&OSFullname=Windows+8%2c+64-bit*Intel Rapid Start User guide: http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/rapid_start_technology_user_guide.pdf 12.) Now we will setup ExpressCache. Its a little trickier now that we are using Rapid Start.13.) Figure out how much free space you have on the SSD now that the Hibernation partition is created. You need the value in MB. So for example, if you created a hibernation partition of 6000, and the total drive size is 20480, then you have 14480MB left. You can get this information easily in Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) by right clicking the SSD drive and selecting Properties. Then go to the Volumes tab. Remember this value for later.14.) If your elevated command prompt is not still open, open it now.15.) Navigate to the ExpressCache directory. Do this by typing "cd C:\Program Files\Condusiv Technologies\ExpressCache\"16.) type "ECCmd -partition X YYYYY" (X is the drive ID and YYYYY is the partition size you wish to create for ExpressCache. In other words, replace X with the drive ID from step 2 and YYYYY with the free space from step 13)17.) Your DONE! To confirm that it is working, you can type "ECCmd -info" and ensure that it starts showing you some caching statistics.  This procedure took me quite some time to figure out and to also get written up. Hopefully you guys find this useful and can benefit from my work. Please also let me know if you run into any issues. Thanks!

Answer 1

As promised, I'm reporting back on my venture - trying to install Intel Smart Response Technology + Intel Rapid Start, but it's not working and I made it work    I have tested, and both technologies are working in tandem, which brings me back to the question: why did Acer spend money on 3rd party software, instead of using Intel's? Anyway.... This is the recipe:Clean all partition in the SSD and the HDD.Install Windows7 on the HDDInstall Chipset INF file and video driver ( not necessary, just to speed up the system )Install Intel Rapid Storage and enable Acceleration ( Intel guide here )Create the hibernation partition on the SSD and REBOOT ( required by Intel Rapid Start, from first post or here )Install Intel Rapid Start Technology softwareI didn't measure the boot time with ExpressCache, but on my experience, the Windows boot is faster with Intel Smart Response. Some notes:I'm able to use the latest drivers from Intel website to theChipset ( 9.4.0.1026 )VGA ( 8.15.10.2712 )Rapid Start ( 3.0.0.1053 )But not for the Rapid StorageTechnology. My Windows 7 64 bits PRO would get stuck on the boot logo animation if I used the latest version ( 12.9 ), it only worked using version 11.7.0.1013 ( link ). Since the Hibernation partition has 3.77GB, and the laptop has 4GB, I can't predict what will happen in the situtation your laptop is using more RAM than the partition has.On my research, I think this wouldn`t be a problem because I have seen on other forums people advising others to use 80% of the system physical RAM to the hibernation file. Regards,HalfBit.