Dell installed OS on wrong drive - how to fix

Just recieved my m14x from Dell Outlet. The machine I ordered came with the 128 SSD and 750gb HDD. Booted up the machine and Dell installed the OS and likely recovery partition on the slower HDD, defeating the entire purpose of them offering this setup. How do I correct this issue? I want the OS and recovery partition installed on the SSD and the HDD to be use for storage. I want the machine set to its out of the factory state. Also, they out the SSD on slot 2 and the HDD as primary - will that impact performance.

Could someone please help me fix? I want to do this right and not nuke things.


Don't understand how this could possibly happen. Extremely annoying.

 

The SDD in the m14x is an msata drive. Even though it is faster, I think their default is to have it as a caching drive. ( If that is the only thing "wrong" I say you did well, since it is a outlet machine.) The HDD is in the primary bay because that is bay 0 ( the traditional 2.5" bay). Both support SATA 3 if said machine is an R2.

Edit: You are right, the 128 is supposed to be a boot drive. Oh well.

Anyways. The most popular and generally problem free way is a fresh install of windows on the msata and change the boot order of course. You can try making a system recovery disk or a clone, but I can't guarantee that it will work flawless.
For the fresh install, there is a sticky to restore the machine to factory like state.

Sent from my SGH-T999

 

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I will look for it. Few blemishes on the case but so far it looks ok. Will put it through the paces once I get this squared. It is an r2. I7-3630, 8gb ram, 900p, 128 SSD, 750 gb. Was around 1100 after coupon.

Update: clean install went well so far. Up and running on the ssd. Night and day difference.

 

Wow - that is seriously messed up - I just ordered this same config in terms of SSD+HDD. I work in IT so it's more or less routine to set things straight but that's part of what I am paying Dellienware for.

 

a 120GB drive is simply NOT large enough to contain a Recovery Partition, OS Install, Virtual Ram, and Hibernation Data. The mSATA was designed to run caching only, thats why 32 and 64gb versions were initially offered.

Put it this way, here is how my 120gb drive would be split (if I was doing what you do)
- Windows 7/8 - 25-30gb
- Recovery - 17-20gb
- Swap File - 16gb
- Hibernation File - 16gb

Thats 75-80gb total. Leaving you 40gb for data. Install WoW? now you've got 10gb for user data. Not cool.

Alienware installed this in the way that is optimized for both speed AND performance. Honestly, I wish my M14x R1 could turbocache like yours Enjoy it.

 

I'm curious. If this is the case, why does Alienware, when customizing your machine, offer these drives, 28gb, 64gb, and 128gb, in both caching and some in boot drives. What is the boot drive, and if it is just a caching drive, why the different drives.

 

The mSATA is a smaller version of a Solid State Drive, you can use it as a boot drive meaning that Windows would be installed in the mSATA instead of using it as a caching device. With this setup, you'll have a good drive speed but low storage capacity.

The other options is to use the mSATA as a caching device. You'll still get very nice speeds and a larger storage capacity without having to map your installations to the storage drive (because the storage and primary drive would be the same).

 

Thanks for your clarification on this subject, I get it now, so to speak. I have the R1 and thinking of getting the R2 but may wait until April to see if we see an R3 or newer design.