New Alien Here

Hello fellow Aliens.
Just got my new ALW17. :thumbsup:
So far I'm enjoying it, and I love the build quality of this machine. I also like the Alienware philosophy of allowing user mods w/o fear of warranty issues. And I like their videos-of-support for some tasks, on their creations.

I want to install a Samsung Pro SSD 128 for the OS and the most used apps, while keeping the stock 750 (7200 rpm) HDD for storage etc. Thoughts on this SSD or others is appreciated.

Could someone point me to some instructions on this subject? I couldn't find any by searching in forums.
I know a little about working on computers in general, but one of the things I was wondering about is if would it be better to clone or mirror image the 750 HDD over to the SSD?
Right now nothing has been loaded, other than latest drivers and OS updates, so I'd like to get the new SSD in there before I start loading apps etc.

Thoughts and opinions welcome, Thanks.

AZ

 

I know the Samsung series are quite popular and I have never heard much if anything bad about them. The Intel series are know for reliability as well and are never a bad choice. I use 2 OCZ drives and they have been rock solid but being that company is in receivership I don't recommend them

When it comes to installing the new drive I would recommend a fresh install , it really isn't that hard to do and does not take long to get the system up and running again. Shut the computer down , open it up , unplug the battery and install the new drive. You may want to move the existing drive over to bay 2 and use the main drive for the SSD although you should be able to set the boot drive in the BIOS either way. Prepare to be amazed at how much faster your Alienware will be with an SSD installed.

 

Welcome aboard,
Here is a link that may help you out to avoid headache:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...install-ssd-instructions-recommendations.html

and by the way, per my own experience try to get away from Samsung SSD, I already pass to many issues until I decide to remove the Samsung SSD from my system. BSO, freezing system, low data transfer, My standard windows experience index went from 7.1 to 5.9

Regards

 

Yeah thanks Mog.
I'm thinking of putting the SSD in the other space, leaving the stock drive where it is now and then changing things in the BIOS.
I think this will be OK.

I thought of another question regarding this.
Will I need any cables or adapters for the new drive.
I've already looked inside the Alien, and I see the 4 extra screws for mounting the drive to the cage, but nothing else.
Hopefully that may come with the new drive.
I just want to get everything I need before hand.

 

Thanks El for that link. I'll check it out.

Wow.
Surprised to hear about your Samsung pain.
I'm using Win7. What were you using for the OS when you tried the Samsung?
and... Was it the Pro or EVO series?

 

I have a 1TB Samsung 840 EVO and love it. All I did was put it in, clone the HDD to SSD using Samsung Magician, then reboot onto the SSD and wipe the HDD. I didn't bother with a clean format/install but then all I did prior to installing it was take my system out of the box, boot it up to make sure it worked, and then shut it down.

 

Yeah.
That's kinda where I'm at.
First thing I did was an extensive pixel test.
Then I let the Alien loose and he went out and got all the updates he needed.
So before I start loading apps, I'd like to get the SSD installed.
Any cables or adapters I need to know about?
Did you put the SSD in the unused space and leave the original HDD where it was?

 

welcome to the club man. Your ssd should be plug and play in either slot. Just plug in your ssd, install windows, and you should be good to go!!

 

No additional cables were required. There is a metal bracket that you unscrew and then if I remember correctly the plug folded up a bit, installed the SSD, folded it back down and then screwed the bracket back on. I put it in the unused space above the HDD, didn't touch the HDD.

It's very easy. Honestly, the hardest part was getting the back off of the machine after I had unscrewed the bottom panel, I couldn't get it to slide off LOL.

The only issue I encountered afterwards was that AlienRespawn isn't detecting the recovery drive anymore but I am not concerned with that. Actually, I didn't check that before installing the SSD anyway so I'm not sure if it even was setup in the first place.

 

Welcome to the community. In case you need instructions to reinstall the O.S here they are.

 

Yes,
Thank You..

 

Hi AlienZoom,

I've had my 17 for about three weeks now and it makes me grin like the Cheshire cat just booting up; I have the Samsung 840 Pro 256 as primary with a 256 Crucial mSATA and 750gb spinner for movies and less intense programs ( and a 2tb external for storage and archiving as well as backups ) and it is rocket fast; boots almost as quick as my wifes MacBook Air but much more fun!

Go for it!

 

You think it fly's now wait till you install your OS on a SSD You have lots of options as there is a slot under the keyboard for a mSata some use to cash with some for storage and some to put the OS there. Iam running a 240 mSata so have room for the OS and my best mmo games..Half the fun is all the options you get to decide.