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    M17x R3 SSD and BIOS

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by pp_ph, Nov 23, 2012.

  1. pp_ph

    pp_ph Notebook Consultant

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    So I read a couple of threads , I still feel lost... if you don't mind helping me make a quick summary (or correct me if I'm wrong) that would be nice.

    A08
    *Slot 0 SATA 3
    *Slot 1 SATA 2
    *Raid 0 with SSD not stable.

    A09
    Link
    *Slot 0 SATA 2
    *Slot 1 SATA 2

    A10
    *Slot 0 SATA 2
    *Slot 1 SATA 2

    A10 unlocked with A08 fix
    *Slot 0 SATA 3
    *Slot 1 SATA 2

    A12
    *Slot 0 SATA 2
    *Slot 1 SATA 2
    *Issue: Screen brightness might drop

    A12 unlocked with A08 fix
    *Slot 0 SATA 3
    *Slot 1 SATA 2

    I'm getting a SSD and will keep one HDD, also prefer if I could disable internal graphics hopefully making it easier to install drivers for the main card. Guess this means A12 unlocked would be the best option?
     
    pp_ph, Nov 23, 2012
    #1
  2. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    Only slot 0 was ever SATA III on A09 and below.

    A10 and A12 both slots run at SATA II speeds.
     
    ratchetnclank, Nov 23, 2012
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  3. shinob!

    shinob! Notebook Consultant

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    I'm using the modified A12 BIOS with A08 fix,SSD running SATA 3 in slot 0 with HDD in slot 1.
    Benchmarks & intel RST also confirms slot 0 to be running SATA 3 speeds with the modified A12 BIOS.So far so good.
     
    shinob!, Nov 23, 2012
    #3
  4. pp_ph

    pp_ph Notebook Consultant

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    Ok updated OP , thanks for feedback.


    And is this correct?
    Slot 0 = Module 0 = Primary (To the side)
    Slot 1 = Module 1 = Secondary (In the middle)

    View attachment 87685

    Confusion is still there a bit ... wondering if different BIOS versions decide which slot is the better one. because these two guys go by slot 1
    Example posts:

     
    pp_ph, Nov 23, 2012
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  5. maklakiewicz

    maklakiewicz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just order SSD (Vertex 4), my BIOS is A08, please let me know if its better to stay with this version or upgrade BIOS to A12 or A12 unblocked?
     
    maklakiewicz, Jan 17, 2013
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  6. Veritas2712

    Veritas2712 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Somebody needs to clarify some things here, cause I've got questions as well.

    I just flashed my bios to a12 unlocked from a08 unlocked and here's the issue on start up when i check on intel rst it says its 6gb/s on port 0(m4 ssd) once I use crystaldisk to check up on the speeds it reads(too lazy to upload a screenie) 260/220 which is the limit of sata 2 and when I check back on intel rst it says 3gb/s and remains that way UNTIL I restart again and check its back to sata 3 and once I start using programs it goes back to sata 2. I'm trying to search a way to fix the issue by myself but I am not getting the right answers.
     
    Veritas2712, Jan 17, 2013
    #6