ADATA SU900 128GB Ultimate 3D NAND MLC 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides essential information for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your ADATA SU900 128GB Ultimate 3D NAND MLC 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive. The SU900 series utilizes 3D MLC NAND Flash technology and an SMI controller, designed for high speed, reliability, and durability.

Key Features:

• New generation 3D MLC NAND technology for enhanced performance and longevity.
• Performance up to 560MB/s read and 500MB/s write speeds.
• Intelligent and dynamic SLC Caching to maintain performance during large file transfers.
• DEVSLP (Device Sleep) mode for improved energy efficiency and power savings.
• RAID Engine and Data Shaping for advanced data protection and integrity.

Figure 1: Front view of the ADATA SU900 Solid State Drive. The drive features a black casing with a gold and black label displaying the ADATA logo, "SSD Ultimate," and "SU900."

2. Package Contents

Please verify that all items are present in your product package:

• ADATA SU900 Solid State Drive
• Quick Guide

3. Setup and Installation

This section outlines the general steps for installing your ADATA SU900 SSD into a desktop or laptop computer. Specific steps may vary depending on your system's configuration.

3.1 Pre-Installation Checklist

• Ensure your computer is powered off and disconnected from the power source.
• Gather necessary tools: Phillips head screwdriver, anti-static wrist strap (recommended).
• Back up any critical data from your existing drive before proceeding.

3.2 Physical Installation (Desktop PC)

1. Open your computer case.
2. Locate an available 2.5-inch drive bay. If your case only has 3.5-inch bays, you may need a 2.5-inch to 3.5-inch adapter bracket (not included).
3. Gently slide the ADATA SU900 SSD into the drive bay and secure it with screws.
4. Connect a SATA data cable from the SSD to an available SATA port on your motherboard.
5. Connect a SATA power cable from your power supply unit (PSU) to the SSD.
6. Close your computer case.

Figure 2: Angled view of the ADATA SU900 SSD, showing its compact 2.5-inch form factor suitable for various computer systems.

3.3 Physical Installation (Laptop PC)

1. Refer to your laptop's user manual for specific instructions on accessing the drive bay.
2. Carefully remove the existing hard drive (if applicable).
3. Install the ADATA SU900 SSD into the drive bay. It typically uses the same SATA data and power connectors as the original drive.
4. Secure the SSD and reassemble your laptop.

3.4 BIOS/UEFI Configuration

• After physical installation, power on your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing DEL, F2, F10, or F12 during boot).
• Verify that the newly installed SSD is recognized.
• Ensure that AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) mode is enabled for the SATA controller. This is crucial for optimal SSD performance and features like TRIM. If not enabled, enable it before installing your operating system.
• Set the boot order if you intend to install an operating system on the SSD.
• Save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.

4. Operating Your SSD

Once installed, your ADATA SU900 SSD is ready for use. You can either perform a fresh installation of your operating system or clone your existing drive.

4.1 Operating System Installation

Follow the standard procedures for installing your preferred operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux) onto the new SSD. Ensure you select the correct drive during the installation process.

4.2 Drive Cloning (Migration)

If you wish to migrate your existing operating system and data to the new SSD, you can use drive cloning software. ADATA often provides or recommends compatible migration software. Refer to ADATA's official website for available tools and instructions.

4.3 ADATA SSD Toolbox

ADATA offers a proprietary "SSD Toolbox" software (available for Windows) that allows you to monitor the health, performance, and optimize your SU900 SSD. This tool can provide information such as drive status, estimated remaining lifespan, and firmware version. It can also help ensure TRIM functionality is enabled.

Figure 3: Top-down view of the ADATA SU900 SSD, highlighting its sleek design and branding.

5. Maintenance and Optimization

To ensure optimal performance and longevity of your ADATA SU900 SSD, consider the following maintenance tips:

• Enable TRIM: Ensure TRIM is enabled in your operating system. TRIM helps the SSD manage data more efficiently, preventing performance degradation over time. Most modern operating systems enable TRIM automatically for SSDs.
• Avoid Excessive Writes: While SSDs are durable, frequent and unnecessary large writes can reduce their lifespan. Avoid using the SSD for temporary files or frequent large downloads if you have a secondary hard drive.
• Relocate Temporary Files: Configure your operating system to store temporary files and browser caches on a different storage drive if available, reducing write cycles on the SSD.
• Disable Unnecessary Boot Programs: Optimize your system startup by disabling programs that automatically launch with your operating system but are not immediately needed. This can improve boot times and overall system responsiveness.
• Keep Firmware Updated: Periodically check ADATA's official website for firmware updates for your SU900 SSD. Firmware updates can improve performance, stability, and address potential issues.
• Monitor Health: Use the ADATA SSD Toolbox or other compatible S.M.A.R.T. monitoring tools to regularly check the health and estimated lifespan of your SSD.

6. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your ADATA SU900 SSD, refer to the following common troubleshooting steps:

6.1 SSD Not Detected

• Check Connections: Ensure the SATA data and power cables are securely connected to both the SSD and the motherboard/PSU.
• BIOS/UEFI: Enter your system's BIOS/UEFI setup and verify that the SSD is recognized and AHCI mode is enabled.
• Different Port/Cable: Try connecting the SSD to a different SATA port on your motherboard or using a different SATA data/power cable to rule out faulty components.
• Disk Management (Windows): In Windows, open Disk Management (right-click Start button > Disk Management). The SSD might appear as "Unallocated Space." Right-click it and select "New Simple Volume" to initialize and format it.

6.2 Slow Performance

• AHCI Mode: Confirm that AHCI mode is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI.
• TRIM Functionality: Verify that TRIM is enabled in your operating system.
• SATA Port Speed: Ensure the SSD is connected to a SATA 6Gb/s (SATA III) port on your motherboard for maximum speed. Older SATA II ports will limit performance.
• Firmware: Check for and install any available firmware updates for your SSD.
• Over-provisioning: While the SU900 has built-in over-provisioning, ensure the drive is not excessively full (ideally keep at least 10-15% free space).

6.3 Operating System Issues After Cloning

• Boot Order: Ensure the SSD is set as the primary boot device in your BIOS/UEFI.
• Cloning Software: Verify that the cloning process was completed successfully and that the software used is compatible with your system and the SSD.
• Original Drive Disconnected: For troubleshooting, try disconnecting the original drive after cloning to ensure the system is booting solely from the SSD.

Figure 4: Back label of the ADATA SU900 SSD, showing the model number ASU900SS-128GM-C, serial numbers, and regulatory compliance marks.

7. Specifications

8. Warranty and Support

8.1 Product Warranty

The ADATA SU900 SSD comes with a 5-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims. The warranty is subject to ADATA's terms and conditions, which can be found on their official website.

8.2 Technical Support

For technical assistance, driver downloads, firmware updates, or further information regarding your ADATA SU900 SSD, please visit the official ADATA website: www.adata.com. You can also find FAQs and contact information for customer service on their support pages.