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    How to add a second HDD?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by javilionaire, Feb 25, 2012.

  1. javilionaire

    javilionaire Notebook Consultant

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    I'm thinking about purchasing an M17x and I would like to get it with a 256gb SSD. Dell offers a 256gb SSD with 750gb HDD combo, which is 1. Overpriced and 2. 750gb is too small for what I need to do.

    So my question is, Is it possible to purchase a M17x with 1 SSD and then later on purchase a large 1TB HDD and install it myself? If so, how would I go about this?

    Thanks a lot.
     
    javilionaire, Feb 25, 2012
    #1
  2. dsottum

    dsottum Notebook Consultant

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    If it has 2 HDD bays (which it sounds like it does) then it's as simple as taking off the bottom panel of the notebook and sliding in your 2nd HDD into the other bay (after you put on the bracket with 2 screws on it). I did the same thing you're planning to do because they only offered Intel SSDs and they were far overpriced compared to New Egg
     
    dsottum, Feb 25, 2012
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  3. javilionaire

    javilionaire Notebook Consultant

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    Ah right, but I've heard that you have to purchase the HDD caddy from an external source and that it's quite difficult to install the HDD.
     
    javilionaire, Feb 25, 2012
    #3
  4. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    No your laptop should come with another caddy.
     
    widezu69, Feb 25, 2012
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  5. javilionaire

    javilionaire Notebook Consultant

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    Oh right, is there a guide on the forum in regards to installing a second HDD?
     
    javilionaire, Feb 25, 2012
    #5
  6. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    It could not be easier to add a second HDD or SSD to the R3. Step-by-step directions, with illustrations, are included in the User's Manual (at 78). However, you will probably want to swap the factory SSD into the empty middle drive bracket (Port 1), with the new HDD going into the side bracket (Port 0) which originally contained the factory drive, all to assure SATA 3 performance from the SSD. The entire procedure is remarkably easy.
     
    The Revelator, Feb 25, 2012
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  7. javilionaire

    javilionaire Notebook Consultant

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    Does it require removing the keyboard? If so, that seems quite dangerous!
     
    javilionaire, Feb 25, 2012
    #7
  8. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

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    Yes, you have to remove the keyboard, the LCD panel, the GPU and the CPU.

    Then you have to take the motherboard out. :eek:
     
    GeoCake, Feb 25, 2012
    #8
  9. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    no removal of keyboard

    Turn the laptop over. remove battery, unscrew 2 screws, then, remove back plastic panel. You will then see the harddrive caddy in the middle of the laptop. Install ssd. That's it.

    You can use my CPU guide in my sig for instructions on how to remove the back panel
     
    SlickDude80, Feb 25, 2012
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  10. javilionaire

    javilionaire Notebook Consultant

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    Alright thanks a lot. Does opening the back reveal both HDDs? or just one of them?
     
    javilionaire, Feb 25, 2012
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  11. aznpos531

    aznpos531 Notebook Evangelist

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    aznpos531, Feb 25, 2012
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  12. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Yes, both of them.
     
    katalin_2003, Feb 25, 2012
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  13. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    You could add a second HDD, and then remove the optical drive and add a third HDD like I did in my R2
     
    DR650SE, Feb 25, 2012
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  14. javilionaire

    javilionaire Notebook Consultant

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    Sweet, thanks guys. Great idea about removing the optical drive.
     
    javilionaire, Feb 26, 2012
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  15. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    Just be aware...removing the DVD drive takes a lot of work. Pretty much a full disassembly is required ;)
     
    SlickDude80, Feb 26, 2012
    #15