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    A14 BIOS Question

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by RustySocket, May 14, 2015.

  1. RustySocket

    RustySocket Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have been learning about my new AW17 R1 and preparing for an eventual SSD install with a clean Windows installation. Currently I have a 1T hdd with an 80gb mSATA set up as a cache as it came configured from Dell.

    My primary question tonight is if I somehow made changes to the bios settings and saved them. Will loading the defaults set the Bios up as it came shipped? Or are the Bios settings modified based on drive type, raid settings, and configured for each build prior to shipping from dell. Are they unique to a given service tag? Should i go through them as they are and write down every setting?
     
    RustySocket, May 14, 2015
    #1
  2. Ashtrix

    Ashtrix ψυχή υπεροχή

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    They will turn to default as shipped with factory state & the cache settings for the mSATA are based on Intel RST from OS or the Legacy option ROM (you can disable the full UEFI boot for Legacy boot and make that visible but the caching options and extras are available from the Win environment Intel RST utility) just make sure before you do a fresh-install check the SATA mode from BIOS make it switch to RAID from ACHI if it's ACHI else leave it on RAID, as you cannot change it after windows installation, BSOD and crap... plus RAID has all ACHI functions built in.

    And those settings are not unique to the service tag.
     
    Ashtrix, May 14, 2015
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  3. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Just to add, the default bios settings will be just fine and RAID enabled but not active on any drive, it's just being used for the caching. To avoid messing with this do not move drives around and install the SSD in the spare bay.
    You will need to set the SSD as the boot device in the bios but if you are using win 8 and UEFI boot (this may be the default on that model) then you won't be able to change it in the BIOS and the win install will be able to select the boot device.
    Once it's all up and running you can format the original drive to delete the original installation.

    Good luck.
     
    MickyD1234, May 14, 2015
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  4. RustySocket

    RustySocket Notebook Enthusiast

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    My bios is set to secure uefi, I was exploring it looking for how to change boot order and realized that its not as straightforward as it used to be years ago.

    I think when I do this I would prefer to remove the existing drive and msata card just for peace of mind.

    Is there a compelling reason not to do this?
     
    RustySocket, May 14, 2015
    #4