Install SSD in R3?

Hey all,

I just got my SSD today and want to install it. I remember there are issues with directly placing it in the computer and trying to install Windows on it. I know someone created a guide... but I can't find it. Damn search doesn't use 3 letter words like "ssd" or "r3".

Any ideas on how to find it?

 

What kind of SSD are you trying to use? If it's an OCZ you'll have major issues, I think Mandrake put a few tips in his first impressions thread. If you're using an Intel or Samsung you should be good. Just keep in mind if you install from a USB drive like I did you can't do it from the USB ports on the left side as they are 3.0 and require a drive, took me forever to figure out why it wouldn't read the drive right

 

Its a OCZ 120 GB. I'll look at Mandrakes post

 

I just went through all of Mandrakes post.... but i did find what I was looking for.

Someone created a step-by-step guide to install the SSD. Can't find it

 

if you have a 2nd computer with at least 2 drive slots, put it in that computer to upgrade the firmware.

Otherwise.....
put in drive slot 2
set sata control from raid to AHCI in bios (advance tab, just below "performance menu options")
Re-install windows ON THE HARD DRIVE (not ssd)
download ocz toolbox from their website, use it to install newest firmware
shut down

switch hdd and ssd into each other's slots
install windows on ssd, format hdd

Extra long unnecessary steps are extra long and unnecessary!


There are other options, but none except using Ubuntu will work, and even then that probably won't work (issue comes from 1. raid set in bios 2. intel RST 10 installed, uninstalling doesn't help).


I made the guide, but didn't want to find it either lol. That' spretty much what it says tho.

 

ok, found it
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/552728-fresh-os-install-ocz-ssd-r3.html

Updating firmware before you use the drive will be extremely important, especially since you're pretty much guaranteed to have a 25nm 64gbit density SSD (because it's 120gb and I'm assuming brand spanking new)


EDIT: Actually, you should also check the SSD's density before installing windows on it. If the toolbox tells you that it's 64gbit, you should RMA the drive for a 32gbit 25nm version. Both speeds and capacity are significantly lower on the pull-the-wool-over-your-eyes-25nm/64gbit vertex 2's. By significantly slower, I mean minimum 20%, upwards of 35% (and doubled if used in RAID).

install ocz toolbox, click "details", click check die size (use "tools" to update the firmware. 1.29 is currently the most recent revision)


RMA times are quite long - minimum 48 hours to even acknowledge your request - because most consumers are returning their recently purchased drives.

 

Do we have to do the same thing if installing a fresh copy on a 256 gb Samsung 470 ssd drive ? Or is it HDD-like smood sailing stuff ?

 

Issue is ocz only. They use custom firmware.
Their custom firmware causes "time warping" on the drives (drive rolls back when turned off - you lose all data that you just wrote to it), and is optimized for 34nm, not 25nm operation.

 

Oh i see, that's good to know.
Thanks mate!

 

Thanks kunekaden! +1

 

One question... your saying that if I get a 64gbit... I should ask for a 32gbit instead? How can I tell which one I get?

 

posted an image in a previous post, go check it out.
install ocz toolbox, click "details", click check die size

And another edit to show performance difference (partially compressible data):

34nm 32gbit density


25nm 64gbit density (note decreased capacity)

 

Is it safe to install the Intel Rapid Storage driver with the OCZ?

I think it was Mandrake that said he had issues with it.

 

No.
rst 10.x will crash the computer whenever the 2nd drive is accessed.
Previous versions of rst will not work with the HM67 chipset.

it is not possible to raid two sandforce based ocz drives on an r3 at this time.
The HM67 chipset has it's own AHCI controller, which works fairly well and supports trim (but doesn't provide software raid obviously)

 

One more question.

Are you using the latest Nvidia driver or the laptop2go version? I know some people have BSOD issues.

 

I have optimus, so it's difficult to use desktop drivers. I'm switching between dell's drivers and the beta 267.2x with a self-modded inf.

Above issue does not cause BSOD, it causes windows to just stop working. Nothing happens on screen. Have to hard restart.

 

I'm using the 267.31 drivers from lv2g, I also had good luck with the 266.66 drivers from lv2g. Any other drivers at all from Dell or Nvidia would throw BSOD's anytime I loaded Windows after the install. I'm waiting to see if the newest batch of Nvidia's may work but I'm not hopeful. I'm used to running modded desktop drivers so it's not an issue to me but I can see some major fits going to Dell soon as their own driver causes BSOD's.

 

Ok, I'll drop the noob flag before asking this I'm sure obviously stupid set of questions on SSD's but here goes. I'm considering going SSD as well. Here are a few questions:
1) it seems the concesus here that Samsung and intel is best way to go and essentially are "plug and go" just reinstall windows.
2) IS it possible if I bought the full version of AlienRespawn and have both my first initial respawn image on USB stick as well as full alienrespawn backups on another drive to do the following:
a) shut down, swap out drive, set bios option mentioned
b) boot machine using usb stick to restore orig image then use full version of alien respawn to get back to last save spot on normal hdd, (I'm sure there is a driver step in here somewhere)

or do I need to just bite the bucket and start all smelly fresh?

Also is there a good Intel or Samsung SSD from "soup to nuts" guide to get back to smelly fresh?

This is all for the R3.

Thanks for yet again putting up with my noobishness.

 

you'll want to make an image from a windows install that was done on an SSD (windows 7 sets things up differently for ssd).
...and change SATA control from RAID to AHCI via regedit (before making image)
and uninstall RST 10 (before making image)

 

Oh well, I was afraid it wouldn't be simple

 

I just tried to install the latest drivers from Nvidia (266.58). I says no supporting hardware found.

Have we found a way to fix this?

 

isn't 266.58 what the laptop ships with?
Download from support.dell.com

nvidia isn't including the r3 device ids in their verde release yet.

or just grab something from laptopvideo2go. I remember Dane saying that desktop 266.66 works best for him (3d bundle)

 

Laptop ships with 266.08

 

Drivers | drivers for mobile cards and laptops | laptopvideo2go.com[]=win7x64

There's a complete list of drivers for you to pick from. All should work.

 

Another question: Do I need to install these?

Chipset -> Management Engine Interface
or
Chipset -> RTS5209 Card Reader
or
Audio -> 92HD73 Audio
or
Application -> OSD Application
or
Freefall Sensor Driver

 

management engine interface is free fall protection or theft-protection/trace (no, don't HAVE to for either)

Card reader...if you want to use the SD card reader yes
audio no, but then you can't adjust bass/treble/etc
OSD is what's required to use the buttons @top right of keyboard

 

Also assuming that I don't need to install the HD 3000 driver if I have 3d. Right?

Also how do I get ethernet to work?

Is this the ethernet driver?

Network -> AR8151 - AW

 

sweet... its 32Gb. I was doing to be mad if I had to return it and wait a long time.

 

All this seems really confusing to me to install an SSD... anyone in the toronto area want to do this for me? Ill offer $$

 

Its actually not too bad. You simply are installing Windows twice. First to switch to ACHI and update firmware. Then installing on the SSD.

Took me 3-4 hours.

 

Subscribed for interest. Might get a 30gb OCZ Vertex SSD, myself.

 

Are you Guys plugging it into the r3 or connecting the drive to a desktop and installing windows etc then into the r3?

 

I have the same problem with a patriot inferno i can't install rapid storage or the system will BSOD after boot but if i uninstall IRST on safe mode everything works fine i guess all the Sandforce drives are having the same issue

 

I used the second slot in the r3. Its fairly easy if you follow the step-by-step instructions.

 

Heard a number of good review for this so might get this when I buy my laptop.
Crucial CTFDDAC256MAG-1G1 2.5-inch Solid State Drive (256GB,Real SSD,C300,SATA 6GB/S): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

OCZ said that a new firmware will become available to them for testing as early as today citing that Sandforce found and fixed a problem that they (sandforce) created. In other words, you're probably correct regarding this issue affecting all sandforce drives. Can you please list the model number so I can start a reference list?

 

Buy it , and show off your bench , I wanna know how fast in r3 , since its sata 3 , with 6gb/s

 

Yea, I will. Sadly still waiting for Dell to sell Alienware R3 in UK.


I never had a ssd so I'm looking forward to the speed it will have. Also the lack of noise sounds great as well.

 

this is the drive but they don't have any firmware update on their website yet Newegg.com - Patriot Inferno PI120GS25SSDR 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

dont, i got a 64gb installed the os it took up about 48gb. after a fresh install this is just the os.. afterwards i got the bluescreen when i tried to download updates and drives.... eventhought i had my 500gb ssd hybrid as secondary.... i used the win 7 home prem os that came with the r3. i plan on returning the 64 for a 128 tomorrow.

 

So what do you recommend as the *cheapest* ssd drive? And I'm not sure I understand your problem--could you elaborate?

 

Yeah sure, i installed at 64gb ssd, after installing the os i was left with 14.8gb of play.. after doing the updates i had about 13.8gb left. with 13gb u cant do much in the long run.. if i were to put ffx4 on it it would be full, also durin the updates i got the blue screen a few times because of the lack of space i had left, i recommend 128gb or high, gives ur more room of play.. if you were to buy anything smaller then a 64 you wouldnt even be able to install the stock alienware os.
note: i had my 500gb ssd hybrid, but too many issues with a small ssd.
im going for sata 3.0 and the cheapest i found was
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348
im pickin up this today
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233154

 

Man, that's expensive. I think I'll just stick with the stock one, since I have no real need for that extreme speed anyway.

 

if you buy SSD from dell...which SSD do you get? Is it Samsung 470 series?

EDIT: Already got the answer in one of Dane's post..

 

Ssd ain't cheap

 

Here is what I got: Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Its 120 Gb which is enough for the OS and 5-10 games. I find its prefect... but if you have extra money... get a 200+ Gb. That way you can install Word + Photoshop and all your games.

 

Just bought this for my new R3: Newegg.com - Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Can I just plug it in and install Windows 7? Will I need to do anything else? I don't have a backup or image from another hard drive to move to it, so I don't need to worry about that. I also plan to use the 320GB HDD that came with my R3 in the secondary bay. Will the R3 need to be set to RAID or can I just use the secondary drive like additional storage?

 

I was gonna get the OCZ for my R3(yet to order) but reading about issues with OCZ has made me shift to Intel. What i wanted to ask is that if having the Intel 510 SATA 3 with the default Sata 2 HDD would create any incompatibility problems.

 

You dont wanna run an SSD and a HDD in ANY kind of array - it will drag the SSD performance right down to that of the lowest component within that RAID setup which means your SSD will perform no better than your 320gb HDD!!!!

Also (but not applicable anyway) drives in any RAID should be the same size....but you wont be installing them in RAID anyway! (or at least, you shouldnt)

If you havent got anything important file wise, dont think there is any reason why you shouldnt just install windows onto the new SSD and have it run in AHCI mode instead of RAID. You can then use the 320gb HDD in the secondary bay for additional storage.

 

Guys i have my bios set to ATA, while running a crucial c300 ssd... should I swith to AHCI?? (newto this)