About to install 256gb Crucial M4 SSD

I'm about to take the plunge, but I would really like to see if anyone has any advice? Which bay do I put it in?

 

1. Install it in Port 1 (the disk drive cradle/slot in the middle of the R3) to assure Sata III operation.

2. Assure that the SSD is using Firmware 00002; if not download from Crucial and install. Crucial.com Product Downloads - Firmware Updates.

3. Switch to AHCI in the BIOS. If second disk drive, change boot order to place secondary disk drive (your SSD) before HDD.

4. Install Windows and R3 drivers.

 

You're amazing, repped.

 

Thanks. Happened to check in just about the time you posted.

 

I suggest you use this guide. HOW TO: Clean Windows 7 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems. It worked flawlessly for me.

 

nice to know, my R3 when it arrives wil be fitted also with an 256GB M4!

 

I'm having so many problems..

Quite often my computer doesnt respond.
It seems to be going a bit slow in some areas.
My "Users" file is so screwed up.
Every now and then startup won't complete and I'll have to do a hard reset.

I feel like I just need to try again.. I want to do a secure erase of my Crucial M4 so I can do this. How can this be done?

Also a couple questions:

In my BIOS theres a setting to change my Hard Drive setting from RAID to AHCI, but when I change it to AHCI, I get a BSOD on startup. Aren't I supposed to put the SSD in AHCI?

When doing a fresh install of Windows 7, should I keep the partition "System Reserved", or can I delete it?

How can I check the firmware version of my SSD?

 

I wish you better luck than I had! I've never experienced so many BSODs and reboots in such a short space of time in my life! Working like a charm now though

 

This sounds oh so familiar. I just posted in your other thread (probably could've kept this discussion there tbh).
Here's my experience: (virtually EXACT same specs as you)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/602739-new-ssd-help-needed.html

 

To sum it all up, this is how I finally got it to work after a million BSODs, 5 Windows reinstallations and numerous hard reboots:
-Put SSD in port1 and booted from original stock HDD
-Formatted SSD within Windows
-Altered boot order and installed Windows on the SSD (to clarify: SSD in port1; RAID)
-Installed drivers in any order. Haven't had a single problem since

Sorry for triple post; threads merged.

 

The only major difference I see with that is the formatting of the SSD, how'd you do it? A secure erase, or a right-click format?

 

Once you change your HD set up from raid to ahci or ahci to raid, you will either get BSOD or not be able to boot on windows. You will have to do a complete reinstall of your OS if you change the HD setup to either ahci or raid.

You can use crystaldiskinfo to check the firmware version.

 

So you're saying I should do a fresh install, but before I do that, I'll need to change it to AHCI from RAID, instead of after the install?

PS: Just logged into a new user account, and it took about 2 minutes.

 

Here's what I did when I install my SSD:

1. Install SSD in port 1.
2. Download firmware 002 and update my ssd firmware
3. Go to Bios and change boot order making the secondary HD first in boot order.
4. Change HD setup from ACHI to Raid. (Do not install OS then change HD setup; you will get either BSOD or you will not be able to boot!!!)
5. Install Windows.
6. Install Drivers
7. Optimize my SSD.

 

I just went into Disk Management (Start -> Run -> diskmgmt.msc) and formatted the drive. Before doing this, I was occasionally getting BSODs even when trying to delete/create partitions during Windows Installation.

 

This would be my understanding of it.

 

YESSSS!!! This is very important. Change your HD setup first before you install windows. And do not forget to update your firmware or you'll get a lot of problems like freezing, slow boot etc.

 

Do you mean Raid to AHCI?
How can I check the firmware?
Isn't it better to do a secure erase, rather than a format?

 

Yes change the set up from raid to achi. R3 is set in Raid by default.

Just format your ssd using the windows install disk once your are in the process of installing your windows.

If you downloaded the firmware from crucial and update your ssd using it, then you will have 002. You can use application like crystaldiskifo to check your firmware version.

 

Here's the crystaldiskinfo app showing my firmware version:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Awesome, ye it seems like mine is 0001. Gonna go ahead and reinstall, following your priorities. I'll be back to tell you guys how I went.

 

Thankyou so much everyone, it seems i've gotten my alienware working just as I want it , check out my M4 scores, are they alright?

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/Altunozara/Untitled.png

 

nice Glad you got it working.

 

After the latest BIOS, my crystalmark scores with M4 128GB were:
Seq: 476 / 179
512K: 358.3 / 198.5
4K: 22.32 / 57.20
(All R/W in MB/s)

 

Hi

do i need to remove the HDD from port 0 before installing a clean Window 7 to the SSD?
or just leave in?
also can you direct me to ssd optimization guide that can tell what to do, what not to do and why?

thank you