M17r2 - upgrade OS and SSD

Hello there,

First post here, anyways I have M17r2 I got a few months ago. When purchasing I didn't like the prices to get upgraded to Win 7 Pro and for the SSD's.

Well the time has come and I am feeling the pain from not already doing this, but I want to first upgrade to a SSD and then upgrade to Win 7 Pro (I received a free license from school).

I'm pretty decent in the software realm of things but am pretty noobish when it comes to hardware ESPECIALLY with laptops. Any links, advice, tips on how to switch out hard drive to ssd on the M17r2?

I currently have 500GBx2 Raid 0 and wanna use one hdd and one ssd.

Question: Is this SSD compatible and what are you thoughts on it? Crucial RealSSD 2.5" 128GB

Also, my plan for this project is as follows, please feel free to comment:

1. copy any files I want to keep.
2. install SSD.
3. install Win 7 pro x 64 on SSD.
4. install Alienware drivers.
5. keep on truckin'

So.... I can do everything but step 2. Thank you!

 

GBGX - Your plan looks legit. The SSD is compatible - but you won't get it's maximum performance as the R2 does not have Sata III (6 GBs) our interface is Sata II (3 GBs). As I said this SSD will work, but at the lower Sata speed.

It'll still be very fast compared to your current Raid setup. You're essentially going through the same process I did.

The install of the SSD is Very Easy. Just flip the system over, take out the battery, you'll see two HDD covers - take out HDD 0 & replace it with the SSD. Then start your new system build.

There are lots of links on this forum for the correct SW sequence & SSD optimization.

Good Luck!

 

That's why we're all here, brother. I can't say much more than San Diego already did. I was running 2 640GB HDDs in RAID0, and it was fast. My G.SKILL Phoenix Pro SSD absolutely destroyed that RAID0 setup though. You will be extremely happy with how 'snappy' the laptop will feel during anything you do compared to a HDD. It will even boot light years faster. You'll be very happy. Remember to install the Chipset driver first, then the GPU driver second. I personally don't think it matters what order you install everything else in. Remember to reboot after you install each driver, even if you aren't prompted to do so.

 

Thanks guys! Yah changing the Hard drive out doesn't sound too hard then.

Question though, should I reformat the HDD before or after SSD installation?

Also, I am assuming there will be quick reconfiguration needed in the BIOS to tell it not RAID anything, right?

I'm used to tweaking big ole' cheap desktops - not my laptop that costs more than my car, I am very careful with this machine.

 

GBGX - I waited to reformat the HDD until after I finished the SSD install - just in case something went wrong & I had to go back. That way you can just leave the HDD 1 in & when you're happy - just format that one & use as you see fit. Later, you can put the HDD you removed into an external docking station or enclosure & deal with the formatting then.

And yes, you're correct - you'll need to change the Bios settings to Sata AHCI.

Here's a link you can refer to for the order of the APPs to install. Reminder, it'll save you some time to download all the latest driver updates from Dell 1st. As the resource disk is probably way out of date (even if you just got it a couple of months ago (I think they burned them all in the beginning of 2010!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...d-your-m17x-r2-full-detailed-description.html

 

crap. installed new ssd. computer will start loading windows (not installed) and then will shut down (no, I mean turn off) at random intervals.

Also tried installing ubuntu with the same result...

ahhhh what now?

 

GBGX - Please provide a bit more detail. Such as: Did you swithch your Bios Advanced Tab "Sata Operation" options to AHCI; What is your Windows Media (Alienware OS DVD or Windows DVD), etc. give me (us) a little more info & maybe we can help!

 

I get the same result under AHCI or RAID. I actually read online that Intel recommends initially installing the OS under the RAID setting and then changing it to AHCI later, which is what I'd like to do. Either way it does the random power off thing.

I used a burned copy of win 7 pro x64 (iso provided by my school). I've also tried using a real windows cd (from a previous install on a different system).

I've also tried a burned dvd of ubuntu desktop edition, still same result.

I am guessing it's a hardware problem?

Thank you!

 

It certainly could be something as simple as a bad SSD. If you've got an HDD lying around, & the inclination to try it - I'd put it in in place of the SSD & start the install process to see if it goes. If that works, then you've probably got a bad SSD. Also, if you're going to install under Raid (I still don't like that setting for this process), I'd remove the 2nd HDD of your Raid set right now.

 

That would suck if it was the SSD (but still preferable to something else being bad).

I'll try putting my old hdds back in and running like normal.

I was trying to install (in RAID) with just the SSD (no other HDD).

BTW I have gotten as far as "41%" of the windows install and then computer dies.

I'll let you know of my results.

 

When you install windows and other drivers under the raid settings, you cannot switch to ahci later. Specially if you have created a raid under your hdd / ssd (or not). If you switch it to ahci later, you will require to install windows again and other required drivers in the system (clear install).

Cheers

 

Assuming that your original Raid setup works fine. There are few troubleshooting options you could try - depending on what kind of HW you have lying around:
Build your new system on a single HDD - if that flys, then install the SSD in the other caddy where you could access it/play with it.
If that works, you could do a complete (bit for bit) disk copy (using Casper/Acronis/Etc.) from your newly created HDD to your SSD - then boot from the SSD to see how that works. Good Luck

 

it was the ssd.... how lame.

setting up RMA on Monday

 

Sorry to hear that GBGX. Hang in there, when you get an SSD in there & working, you'll really appreciate it. And with all the swapping around you've now done - you'll be a HW expert too. Good Luck.

 

Newegg is giving me store credit for returning the drive. BTW I did get windows to install successfully, but it made me nervous. It took my over 30 attempts.

Ubuntu still fails to install.

What do yall think about this one:
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

GBGX, while there are many opinions about the "best" SSD - I personally am a fan of the OCZ Vertex 2 series. I've put them into three laptops & two desktops so far, they're performing great.
One suggestion though - it is a LOT easier & less fearful process if you do any SSD firmware update (and you'll probably need one) with the SSD in a docking station or as the 2nd drive (instead of doing it when it's the C or primary drive). So do that before you start your build if you've got the resources available to you.

 

stick with OCZ for larger than 200gb since everything below 180gb has the newer 25nm chips and they have much lower performance and reliability compared to 34nm chips. I would look at intel for 120gb or 160gb.