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    Opening new alienware 17 to add SSD drive

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Hungry_Jo, Jul 17, 2013.

  1. Hungry_Jo

    Hungry_Jo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi every one !

    Just got a new a alienware 17 !

    Before starting playing with it, I want to add the samsung 840 pro SSD that I have.

    I found my first issue, i cant even open the base of the laptop !! It doesnt seem to be like the R3/R4 since you don't even have access to the battery.

    I found the manual on dell's website, but im a bit confused. lol :S

    So I removed the 2 screws that the manuals says. But when it says to push and lift the base, nothing moves !

    Has any one opened it yet ?

    My second question, should I put my SSD in a free space or should I really put it in the samepalce where the HDD actually is ?

    Thx in advance for the help !

    Jo
     
    Hungry_Jo, Jul 17, 2013
    #1
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  2. FrozenSolid

    FrozenSolid Notebook Evangelist

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    I haven't got any idea regarding the first question but I can help regarding the second part.

    You can put the SSD into the second slot. I assume you want to make that your boot drive and install Windows on it. So put in the second slot and after you format it and install Windows on it go into BIOS and arrange your boot order so that the new drive boots before the HDD. Then you can delete everything you want from the original HDD and install whatever you want on there; or if space is not an issue then you can leave Windows on the HDD. That way if your SDD crashes and won't boot you can still boot via your HDD.
     
    FrozenSolid, Jul 18, 2013
    #2
  3. Grajjie

    Grajjie Notebook Geek

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    I had the same problem when I tried removing the bottom cover. You have to remove the screws and with the front of the laptop facing you faced down, grab the sides and push fowards towards the back of the laptop. It should slide out easily.
     
    Grajjie, Jul 18, 2013
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  4. Hungry_Jo

    Hungry_Jo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Frozen, thx for the advice of leaving OS just in case. I will probably do it. Always useful.

    Grajjie, thx for trick, when i will be back from work, i will try pushing it from the sides toward the back of the laptop. The picture in the manual shows to push toward the front ! I will give news if i succeed or not!

    I feel real noob not being to take of the base cover !! lol.
     
    Hungry_Jo, Jul 18, 2013
    #4
  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    You just need to slide it towards the front and then lift it.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jul 18, 2013
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  6. Hungry_Jo

    Hungry_Jo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thx all for anwsers.

    I opened it no problems and got the SSD going :)

    I used the plastic on the bottom to help push. I just needed to push a bit harder. I didnt want to break anything.

    Jo
     
    Hungry_Jo, Jul 24, 2013
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  7. Hearthofsin

    Hearthofsin Notebook Geek

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    hey there mate.

    so i'm thinking about buying the alienware 17 but i was wondering how many bays there is for harddrives? is it only 2?

    thx in advance
     
    Hearthofsin, Sep 4, 2013
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  8. Hungry_Jo

    Hungry_Jo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi Hearthofsin,

    Dont know if I am too late to anwser, but it has 2 sata bay and 1 msata + you can change dvd drive for extra 1

    Jo
     
    Hungry_Jo, Sep 12, 2013
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  9. Hearthofsin

    Hearthofsin Notebook Geek

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    Better of late Than Never ;) thank you so much for the Answer. I Will go for msata ssd and Then 2 Big hdd since i Want the dvd drive so thx. Or 2.5 ssd and hdd.. Anyway thanks for the Answer you saved me for quite a lot of money :)
     
    Hearthofsin, Sep 14, 2013
    #9