Help Please First Time Installing SSD.

Hi All,

My Kingston v200 128GB SSD comes in today. I’ve looked over some of the SSD and w7 clean install guides. But still have a few questions. I plan on using my HDD as storage and to install other apps.

1 – I install the SSD in the middle cradle and the HDD should be moved to the side cradle?

2 – Do I just install the SSD first get everything installed and running (window7) and then can I install the HHD after? Or does it need to be done during the clean install of w7?

3 – If I do have to have both the SSD and HHD installed. Do I format the HHD first so my m17x doesn’t try run w7?

4 – Currently my usb flash drive is broke. Can I burn all of the drivers on a CD? So I can install it after w7 is done installing?

5 – Before I install w7 do I go into my bios and change from RAID to AHCI? Where is that option at?

6 – I’m running on a mod A-08 bios do I need to worry about anything messing up? And will I need to reinstall the mod A-08 bios after installing w7?

Please let me know if I’m not clear just trying to make this install as smooth as possible. Also, if you could recommend a guide that I can use that would be great.

 

Easiest way would be something like this.

Boot and go to bios to change to AHCI.
Put W7 disk in the optical drive but dont do anything with it.
Shut down.
Take out HDD.
Place SSD in middle slot.
Power up and boot of DVD drive to install W7.
You might need to format the drive on one of the steps.
Follow W7 install steps.
Install drivers. Except CC. Not all drivers are on the resource disk!!!
Run Windows update till there are no update's.
Install CC.
Shut down.
Place HDD again power up and go to bios to change the boot order to secondary first.
Just reboot and format the HDD in Windows.
Disable hibernation and move pagefile to the HDD.
Find missing drivers on Dell site. USB3 if I'm correct.
Done.

This is from my head but there are guide's out there.

 

Thanks brab what is CC?

 

YES

This is up to you. What i did is i physically plugged in both drives. Installed Windows on the SSD and then set boot from the SSD in bios. At this point, i have win7 on both the SSD and HDD. I could boot from either drive depending on boot priority in the bios. Eventually, when i was completely happy with the config, i formatted the HDD and i currently use it for storage

NO, look above

Yes you can. If you bought the machine from dell, they would have provided you with a driver cd

Yes, before you install, change to AHCI. However, some drives like the Crucial M4 like Raid

The bios has nothing to do with win7, you can install before or after you install win7

 

Hi Slick I ordered from dell outlet and only got the alienware w7 cd. On the cd it says "This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers." Isn't there a folder in the C: drive that has all the drivers that was installed on my laptop? Do you know where the folder is located?

 

ya the folder is called System32...but this isn't a good way because you're gonna be missing a lot of configuration and registry entries. It is recommended to reinstall fresh.

you can always go to the dell site under support link and download all the drivers there after you install windows (or do it before first so you have them)

 

CC is command center.

You system should include a resourse disk with all the drivers and a Windows 7 disk containing Windows 7.

 

I wish it did only came with one cd? Should I request one from dell?

 

its always a nice backup, but its better if you use the drivers off the website because they will be all up to date

 

Since you did not get the Win7 disc with your computer, do you have a copy of Win7 x64 retail? If you do, you can install with that disc. I have read alot both ways, some say it works, others don't, i have never had any success, but you can try using the CD key on the sticker on the bottom of the computer. BUT, before you do, do a search on google for "ABR Windows 7". The first link will take you to a page that offers a download that will backup the registration information contained on your current drive. Back it up. Now install the OS. When it asks for the key, try the one on the sticker. If it rejects it, click the button for activate later, finish the install and then use ABR to restore your registraion info. ABR is free btw. NOTE, if you don't have the same version of windows retail as you have installed on the computer (i.e. your disc is Pro and comp came with Home Prem), you will need to do a search for unlocking all win7 versions on a disc. There is a file that you will have to delete to make win7 ask you which one to install, and this is going to require you to burn a new disc with the file deleted. All win7 discs contain all versions of Win7. You also need to be sure that the disc you have is x64, if it's x86, you'll have to get a different one.

Now, what if you don't have the correct version of Win7 or any Win7 at all. Well I can help with that too. Follow this link Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River My Digital Life all of the possible versions of win7 are available to download, and the big plus to these is that SP1 is already integrated. THESE ARE THE OFFICIAL FILES FROM MICROSOFT. These are not pirated. They are provided through msft.digitalrivercontent.net I would recommend downloading this iso even if you already have a disc. SP1 can take a considerable amount of time to install. This makes it part of the initial load and doesn't really add extra time.

ANd lastly, if you really want to make the most out of this SSD install, go to this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/626088-ssd-hdd-setup-2.html I have posted a link to a pdf file that instructs you how to get windows to install with the /User and /ProgramData directories on you HDD rather than the SSD. This will allow you to freely use the My Documents (videos, pictures, etc..) without eating up your SSD space or resorting to other odd solutions.

If you have any other questions, post here or PM me. I might have done this a few times.

Good Luck

 

Yes call Dell and have them send you the Windows 7 disk.

 

Okay I'm confused I have a DVD that came with my laptop. Its black and says Alienware "Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64 BIT." I can't use this to install w7?.

 

Yes you can use it that is what I used.

What I did when I installed to m4 256gb just 10 days back was..
1. go to bios and change to ahci
2. removed hdd
3. put in ssd in middle slot
4. power on.. put in that black dvd and install..
5. do the driver installations as given by one of the moderators here. (check it out in owner's lounge) (i had already downloaded the files earlier)
6. power off. put the hdd back in..
7. power on.. go to boot order and give 1st preference to secondary drive.
8. go to windows explorer (my computer).. format the hdd..
9. give the drive letters as i wanted using disk management..
No problems since then.. boot time is 10- 15 sec only.. i dont have any game installed so maybe that is why such low boot times..

One thing i wanna know- is it recommended to move pagefile and other cache files and all plus turn hibernate off.. even if a person has a 256gb ssd??
will moving pagefile and all affect the speeds?

also whenever i shut down my laptop i always get that windows umm warning , i guess, that says some progams are closing and there are 2 options- force shut down and other is wait for program to close.. it only lasts for 2 seconds.
weird thing is that in the box where it says the following programs are still closing - there is no program mentioned!

 

What is the reasoning behind removing the HDD when loading the OS on the SSD? I have seen this mentioned a lot but have never seen a reason why?

 

just reading this thread and have a question. i ordered a m17x a few days ago with expected delivery on the 13th. i ordered it with the 256gb ssd and plan on putting in a 750gb hdd for storage when i get it.

my question is, will my pc be shipped already in ahci?

 

I think the RAID controller is better for Crucial M4s, better performance and probably slightly more reliable... I'd switch to that if I were you (mine came with RAID as default)

 

I removed hdd just to make 100% sure that my OS was installed on ssd and not hdd..

If you do put in hdd too then change your boot before installing os (because laptop reboots during installation and it might boot into hdd instead of continuing installation on ssd) and during os installation make sure to format your hdd (the option is in advanced drive option, i guess).


I have achi for m4 but no issues.. Not a single BSOD after i reinstalled os.. If i ever reinstall again, I might try raid and see how that works out for me.

 

Thats the right one yes. You only need the driver disk then, or just download them from the Dell support site.

 

it'll probably be in raid mode and the ssd will be installed into slot 0 (which often gets confused between SATA2 and SATA3)

It would be recommended to at least move the SSD into slot 1 which always runs SATA3 (literally, just unscrew, unplug and plug into Slot1 which is located in the middle of the laptop)

 

i don't know the reasoning. I had both the SSD and HDD plugged in while I was installing windows on the SSD.

 

My M4 is in raid mode also and my performance is great.

 

Yeah I agree, just change boot options in bios to DVD, 2nd hard drive, something, first hard drive. Easy and then when done change first option to 2nd hard drive

Wish I had another one to run in an array, that would be beast-tier. Guess that's my next upgrade!

 

Crucial M4 SSD's work perfectly well under AHCI. This business that they should be used only with Raid is nonsense.

 

Rev, no one said it had to be in Raid only. Just stating that it works great in Raid mode too

 

so this would mean a reinstall of windows, drivers then as well, correct? wish i had know this cause i would have just provided my own ssd instead of ordering with one if i knew i was going to have to reinstall windows anyways. anyone know if you can change things about your order after its been placed?

 

It might not mean reinstalling windows...you might just switch the ssd from port0 to port1 and see if you like the performance.

 

should probably disregard my last post. just got an email from dell saying my pc will be here tomorrow. not really what i wanted casue i dont plan on opening it until christmas.

 

Relax some people, including myself, has had issues in ahci since using 009. The only solution is switching to raid. My system been stable in raid for a while now.

 

Thanks for the advice guys I'm installing my SSD now. One problem I ran into is where do I get the plastic clip that goes on the HDD or SSD? When I took out my old HDD I had to reuse the clip on the drive to put it on my SSD. But I need another one to hook up my old drive.

 

doesn't alienware ship their systems with the empty caddy? Mine came with one and its been put to good use

 

I think because my m17x r3 is a certi refurbished unit. Do you know what the part is call or the part number?

 

Call Dell, let them send you the caddy and connector.

 

Okay. I got everything installed and drivers updated. But when I use the rating tool in window 7 to see what my system rating is. I got a rating of 5.9 for my "Primary hard disk: Disk data transfer rate" clearly that can't be right because that is the same rating my 5400 rpm HDD got. Am I doing something wrong? My SSD is a Kingston SSDnow v200. I know its not the fastest SSD, but 5.9?

All the other components were rated 7.1+

 

Guys need little help

I just want to know Dell branded SSD support SATA3.0 or is it SATA 2.0 ?

There's a deal @ dell uk site 256GB DELL SSD + 750GB HDD for £360

 

If you need help make your own thread.

 

Don't be a jacka##...

I'm just trying to configure m17x. Need quick answer before deal expire in next 30min. I just ask it here because you guys talking about SSD.

 

Which you could have gotten a faster response if you would have made your own thread.

 

its all good, it's on topic after all m17x r3 supports SATA 3.0 and SATA 2.0

 

Thanx just purchased M17x ....

 

congrats, the m17x is a beast of a laptop i'm sure you will be quite satisfied with it.

 

from what i am told the m17x supports sata 3 but the ssd you will be getting is a samsung 430 series which is sata 2. someone else may want to chime in to confirm or deny that.

 

oh shoot, I read the question wrong that SSD is indeed a sata 2 drive

 

It's OK. I decide not to buy DELL branded ssd. Already brought M4 256GB from Amazon.

 

Is it a Sata 3 SSD?
Open RST and what speed does it show? 3 or 6 gb/s.
Do a run with crystal disk mark and post the results here.
Are you on the latest firmware for the SSD?
Did you install the SSD in slot 1?
Take out the HDD and run the score again, might be a conflict between the HDD and SSD.

EDIT: It is indeed a Sata 3 SSD but with speeds more closely to Sata 2 so 5.9 might even be correct.

 

NO It can't be 5.9

Because SATA 2 Mushkin(SF-1200) 120GB SSD in my ASUS G53JW show 7.7
score.