New SSD, Help Needed!

I'm going nuts!
I just received my 256gb Crucial M4 today and the installation process has been an absolute NIGHTMARE so far. I don't know where I'm going wrong, so I'll just list what I've done and hope someone can help:
-Removed original HDD (320gb) from port0 and replaced with M4
-Began Windows installation using Alienware W7 DVD (port0, RAID)
-Waited over half an hour while it tried to create a new partition before deciding something must have gone wrong -> force shutdown
-Read that port1 is the better option, so moved M4 to port1
-BSOD as W7 installer loaded, but installed perfectly on 2nd attempt (port1, RAID)
-Began installing drivers and started experiencing random restarts. Quickly got to the point where it would only last maybe 2 minutes maximum before consistently rebooting.
-Read that AHCI may be the way to go, so I reinstalled Windows. Went perfectly (port1, AHCI)
-Began installing drivers again, and got BSOD while installing USB3 drivers. Now won't even boot into Windows (Same BSOD every time: "PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA")
-Windows repair gets same BSOD

So... Any ideas?
What should the ideal config be in my case? (port 0/1? RAID/AHCI?)
Is it possible I've just got a lemon SSD? (Everything about the laptop has been perfect until now)

 

-Tried to re-install Windows one more time and now it seems I have a bigger problem: The screen has alternating black/multicoloured stripes going across it from top to bottom.
-Trying again now and it seems to be working this time
If this doesn't work out I'm going to try putting the 320gb back in to verify that no damage has been done...

 

Here's what I just did a few days ago (also with an M4).

-Put SSD in port 1, remove HDD from port 0 (to avoid any disk conflicts/confusion with the OS and installation).
-Set BIOS to AHCI and also set boot order to secondary HDD first (this is port 1). The boot order bit was giving me some errors and headaches but once I figured out that port 1 was "secondary" and changed this I was good.
-Install OS on SSD, clean from fresh drive.
-At some point after installation (even after all driver updates if you want), put HDD back into port 0.

If that doesn't work for you and you continue to get errors/bluescreens, etc... then yes you may have a bad SSD.

The multicolored stripes sounds like a GPU issue, so there may be issues there as well.

 

I have the exact same drive. No issues so far. What firmware is your M4? 1 or 2? If 1, then update to 2. You have to burn a CD and boot it to update the firmware, pretty easy.

I have my SSD on the center drive bay (don't know which # that is, 1 I think). BIOS are set to ACHI. SSDs can be lemons, but it is not uncommon to have issues also. If your SSD is seen by the BIOS and windows this is probably something we can fix.

Are you installing the drivers in this order? http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html

Update when more happens.

 

That is exactly how I did mine also.

 

Just crashed installing Windows (during the unpacking stage). Rebooted, to be more specific.

M4 is recognised in the BIOS, and twice I've had it happily running Windows, just with no proper drivers installed.

I'm not sure how to check SSD firmware. I'll try updating it now (assuming it's not got the latest).

 

Does your m4 have Firmware 2.0? If not, you first need to upgrade using the upgrade package available from Crucial. Crucial.com Product Downloads - Firmware Updates. Using the downloaded .iso, burn a bootable CD containing the firmware, set the SATA mode to AHCI, boot from the CD and flash the SSD.

I recommend using Port 1 (the disk cradle in the middle of the R3) to assure SATA III transfer rates and AHCI. Also revise the boot order to put the m4 (listed as second disk drive) before the original HDD (if still installed). The m4 has worked flawlessly since installation for me. The other tip -- don't remove the Win 7 DVD prematurely. As the R3 reboots as part of the installation process. let it reboot from the DVD until it starts over at the beginning; then, exit and reboot from the m4 to continue the Win 7 configuration, driver installation, and the update process.

There is no need to remove the HDD from port 0 unless you just want to get rid of it. Windows will let you designate the drive to use during the installation process.

 

It says the firmware model on the SSD itself also. Mine was #1, so I updated to 2.

 

Thanks, firmware updated.
So currently FW is 0002; it's in port1 (in the middle); the other HDD bay is empty; SATA mode is AHCI.

Booted from Windows installation DVD, and just as it was about to load the installer (at the "Starting Windows" screen), I got a BSOD!
This error message:
"fbfw.sys
page_fault_in_nonpaged_area"

 

Sounds like a moody SSD mate. Get a replacement. Did you burn your respawn media? Try going back to factory state on the original HDD to confirm the Laptop is still ok.

 

That's my biggest concern at the moment, not the SSD. It even rebooted on me before when I was in BIOS and tried to save and exit.

Tried installing Windows again and so far so good (for the 10th time tonight!)
-Deleted existing partitions and created new
-Currently installing

 

-Got up to 9% in the 'Expanding files' stage and presented with the striped multi-coloured lines again.
In the hopes that this is just a graphical glitch I'll leave it running and see if it reboots soon (as it would if Windows installed successfully)

 

I think you should def try the factory image on the original HDD if the install fails again.

Atleast that way you'll know which is not working.

 

Set it back to RAID and replaced original 320gb (in port0 though I doubt this is significant) and it booted just fine.
Put the M4 in port1 and it still booted perfectly and the SSD seemed fully functional in My Computer as a secondary drive.

I'll try one of my own Windows 7 installation discs on the weekend, or maybe put it in my desktop and see if it works properly as the primary drive there. I've had quite enough drama and mystery for one night now though.

 

I ran into the same problem as you a coupla months back when I upgraded my E14's SSD... Turns out I didn't clean out the SSD enough. Make sure you get your RAIDs right and also to do a proper, complete and clean format of your drives before you install..

 

I decided that, since the M4 was running well as a secondary drive, I'd try installing Windows on it in the current config. Pleased to say that everything went perfectly and I think I'm just about at the stage now where I can say "Problem Solved" (should be noted that SATA mode is still set to RAID, not AHCI). I don't want to open it up again any time soon though so I'm assuming/hoping I can just disable port0 in the BIOS (having the original 320gb annoys me, but I don't want to have to physically remove it).
Thanks again for the help. I'm still not sure what the problem was but I'm glad that it seems to have fixed itself.

 

Help! Help!... trying to install new ssd into port 1. I have cloned win7 with clonezella and it said that cloning was successful... yes I know clean install is the way to go. The problem that I am having is that the ssd drive in port 1 is not bootable? I have google is your friend and have not found a solution...Help

 

Make sure you change the boot order in your BIOS so the secondary hard drive (port 1) is ahead of the primary hard drive (port 0). Otherwise you will get a "unbootable" error when it tries to boot from port 0 and doesn't find an OS. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure what the problem is.