AW M17x R4 2nd SSD

I have just ordered one. My primary disk is a 256G SSD. I'm planning to add a 2nd SSD on my own. But I have zero experience on this. Could anyone please answer my two questions?
1. If I have an extra SSD in hand, do I need ANY extra stuff to install it? (such as a caddy or some sort of wire or connector?)
2. I can't find any tutorial. Could anyone give me a link?
Thanks a lot in advance!

 

No nothing, unbox the SSD, open the laptop, remove bay, place the SSD in the bay, screw it all back.

That's about it.

And remember to change your settings in the bios (F2 during boot up) change SATA bla bla to AHCI.

 

So the SSD will just fit the bay perfectly and I don't need any candy? Is it difficult to locate the bay? I totaly have no idea about how to do this.
Besides, do I need to set the bois? BTW, I don't want to setup raid.

 

Download the R4 Owner's Manual here: Alienware: Online Documentation. Instructions regarding removing and/or replacing hard drives/SSD's, with illustrations, begin at Pg. 18. Your new SSD will go into the secondary hard drive assembly (the middle slot or bracket). No changes to the BIOS will be necessary. Your R4 should automatically recognize the new SSD and assign a drive letter. If it does not, check back; there's an easy fix.

 

The manual is pretty straightforward. I just have only one last question: the manual doesn't mention the SSD, does the SSD has the same size with the HDD? Will it fit into the hard drive assembly smoothly? Thanks a lot!

Sorry... I mean, can the SSD be put into the hard-drive bracket without troubles?

Well I have just noticed that a 3.5 inch bay adapter will come with the SSD(I didn't know because I haven't bought yet). Everything is clear now. Thanks again!

 

You won't need an adapter. The standard 2.5" SSD slides right into the bracket; all you have to do is remove the screws from the placeholder frame, detach the included interposer, attach it to the SSD's connectors, use the removed screws to fasten the SSD inside the bracket, then connect the interposer to the port connectors (slides right in) and finally screw the bracket back down. The 3.5" adapter is for using the SSD in the larger bays used in desktops.

 

Yes, I was wrong. Frogive me, I totally have no experience

I just hear from someone that I need to change to AHCI mode in bios. Is that necessary?

 

It is not really necessary, but it does help if you want to utilize the Intel Rapid Storage Technology.

Again, it is not entirely necessary though, and if you do change to AHCI mode, you will then have to wipe and re-install the OS and drivers. Windows just won't boot otherwise if you change the settings without the re-installation.

 

So... Is there a significant performance difference between using and not using the IRST in my case? I hope not, because I have heard that some people had troubles with the HD7970 driver when they re-installed the OS. Besides, I don’t even know how to set the bios .

 

Hello there. I also have another post regarding changing to AHCI.

My current BIOS configuration now is on RAID. I changed it to AHCI and got a BSOD while windows is loading.

I changed it back and loaded windows successfully.

Upon further research, RAID supports NCQ which is the performance feature I want from ACHI.

I also installed IRST and I'm not having any problems.
I hope this solves your question

 

I want to install a Crucial m4 256GB 2.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s SSD into my brandnew Alienware m17x. I have it with the 1TB RAID 0 (2x 500GB) 7200RPM. Can you give me a good explanation on how to do it without loosing my original data (OS, command Center) and progarams? Will I need to remove 1 500 GB hardrive?

 

You will either have to get a bracket to allow you to replace the DVD drive or remove one of the hardrives. If you remove one of the hardrives you will loose your original data.

 

I just rec my 256 SSD from DELL and after taking the back off my M17X R4 and removing the SSD case turns out inspite of being told I did not need an apaptor by DELL tech when I order the drive, I do. So I called back and now I am waiting for the adaptor hope this helps

 

Remove Battrey there are two scres remove them slid off back you will see two metal boxs these are the HHD holders take out (3screws) empty one take off the spacer (4 screws) install SSD but in the four screws that hold it in and yes you will need the adaptor it is not in the slot dispite what Dell says I know I just did all this after my 256 SSD arrived and inspite Dells asurance there was no adaptor I now am waiting for one to arrive

 

Is the improvement of changing from SATA to AHCI worth the system format? I didn't know about this back when I installed my SSD, so it is full of games now and would be a pain in the a s s to reinstall them. But if the performance leap is good, I'll do it.

 

THe interposer (thing you'll need to plug in your HDD to the motherboard is hidden away in the 2nd hard drive bay... dont' make the same mistake as me and call up dell and get another one when its in there already hiding in a little rubber thing