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    Confusion about caching SSD

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Schnippshly, Jul 5, 2013.

  1. Schnippshly

    Schnippshly Newbie

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    I got an Alienware M14X with a 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s and a 64GB mSATA caching SSD. I understand that the caching SSD is supposed to let files load faster or something. But am I supposed to be able to see the SSD as a disc drive under "My Computer"? It shows the 64 GB drive as an empty drive with 64-ish GB of free space that I can just dump files into. Is that how the drive is supposed to be? Does the caching feature function properly that way or is there some option I need to enable.
     
    Schnippshly, Jul 5, 2013
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  2. jacker60

    jacker60 Notebook Consultant

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    Did you do a fresh install of the system?, as far I know you need to install the S.O in the SSD disk, in order to take advantange of the speed of the SSD, the 750 GB disk should be used for storage
     
    jacker60, Jul 6, 2013
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  3. lif3t4k3r

    lif3t4k3r Notebook Consultant

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    Mine is the same but with a 1TB HDD and a 32GB SSD, but I can't store anything on the SSD it just appears as an empty drive. Is there something you need to set up or is it set up out of the box?
     
    lif3t4k3r, Jul 7, 2013
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  4. Schnippshly

    Schnippshly Newbie

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    So the drive shouldn't be visible? I have not done anything to the system. This is how it has been since I got it from Dell. What does S.O. stand for?
     
    Schnippshly, Jul 8, 2013
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  5. jacker60

    jacker60 Notebook Consultant

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    For the comments in this thread, it seems that dell just put a blank mSATA SSD in there, and its all installed in the normal HDD, I still dont have my AW14, I order with the same configuration that you relating to the disk, maybe I'm wrong, but seems that if you want to take advantage of the SSD you will need to do a clean install of the S.O in the SSD and leave the HDD for storage, when I have mine will see if I'm right....
     
    jacker60, Jul 9, 2013
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  6. jumperboi

    jumperboi Notebook Enthusiast

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    you are not supposed to see the ssd drive in "my computer". there is a detailed instruction for using the ssd as cache device. "http://www.pcworld.com/article/248828/how_to_setup_intel_smart_response_ssd_caching_technology.html". I hope this works for you guys. Tried in my system, works like magic.
     
    jumperboi, Jul 9, 2013
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  7. Schnippshly

    Schnippshly Newbie

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    OK but what does S.O. stand for?
     
    Schnippshly, Jul 9, 2013
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  8. tecrp7

    tecrp7 Notebook Consultant

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    I don't think he meant to say S.O, but instead meant to say OS even though he did mention it twice.

    OS as in Operating System (Windows)
     
    tecrp7, Jul 10, 2013
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  9. jacker60

    jacker60 Notebook Consultant

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    Oops yeah my mistake sometimes my english get a little crazy cause I'm not a native speaker, sorry, tecrp7 was right I mean O.S (i was thinkink "Sistema Operativo" in spanish.... LOL), windows in this case... :p
     
    jacker60, Jul 10, 2013
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  10. Schnippshly

    Schnippshly Newbie

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    Thanks, I figured out that whoever built my laptop messed up or something because the hard drive was not configured correctly. I had to use a Windows 7 recovery disc to delete the SSD's partition. Without a partition I was able to access "Accelerate" under the Intel rapid storage manager program and enable caching on the SSD. I cannot believe I have gone months without caching. My laptop is insanely faster now.
     
    Schnippshly, Jul 10, 2013
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  11. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    I'm glad you found out how to do it. We have some information about that available here.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jul 12, 2013
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