My M18x has just landed!!!! Need a step by step...

Ok guys.. here's the skinny...

So i just got my M18 x.. along with my crucial M4 256 ssd and a supplemental 750 g 7200 rpm drive that I need to replace my 320 gig drive with. I need a step by step tutorial on how NOT to mess things up. So assuming I shove these hard drives into my computer... where is there a step by step on how to do a fresh windows 7 install etc..

lol someone please help!

 

Here are some links that might help you:

HOW TO: Clean Windows 7 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems

HOW TO: Restore the Alienware 'Look and Feel' after a clean install of Windows 7

 

So basically.. i remove the 320 gb hd.. install my ssd and larger hd.. install my new ram.. and start from scratch?

 

install your SSD on port 1 not on port 0 port 0 is where your HDD is now
don't install a secondary drive until you finish the OS installation
go to bios settings and change sata operation to AHCI before windows installation
pop yous installation disk and press F12 to boot from it
install windows
install chipset drivers reboot
install video drivers reboot
install the rest of the drivers
install windows updates reboot
install DX runtime
install games for windows live
install steam
done !

 

You're awesome speedy!


ok..

so i'll put the 256 gb ssd in slot 1... does my old hard drive stay in the bay during the clean windows install? Then after my complete windows install I install my new 750 gb drive for storage?

 

During installation remove any other HDD form your laptop because sometimes windows install the OS partition reserved or boot partition there and you don't want that I have done that before and it was a pain because windows was working in order but then I remove the secondary HDD and bam windows don't boot

 

Ok.. Lol..
So I remove all hdds prior to a
Windows install, then i only put in the new SSd in port 1. Fresh windows install and drivers in the recommended order and voila! Yes? Im so retarded but I need someone holding my hand through this or else I'll brick my expensive new laptop !

 

Speedy - So did you mean to install the SSD into the 1 slot and leave it there? Which means the boot sequence needs to be changed to make slot 1 first?

If that is correct, please let us know why. I currently have a OCZ Vertx III in my 0 slot as the OS drive.



Mistermadd - I personally would highly recommend that you follow Batboy's advice "Before performing a clean install, please do take the time to create your emergency rescue option using AlienRespawn. This will help if you ever need to revert back to an 'out of box' state." , before doing anything else. Then make the clean install.

 

Also you may get issues if you change from RAID to AHCI. I know I couldn't so don't be alarmed. If there is an issue, go back to RAID. You can even keep it in RAID the whole time as recommend by Intel.

 

I almost want to leave the 320 gb hd in there and shove the 750 gb with it and avoid having to do a clean install of windows because of it.. Lol

 

Hello Guys! have a question it took me about 30 Minute to install windows7 on my crucial real SSD C300 128gb.
In my desktop use to be 11 minute, is that ok on the M18x?

 

Ok. Dumb question:

Why Put the ssd with os in slot 1? Why can't you leave it in 0?
Thx

 

Saw it mentioned somewhere that there is an issue with Port 0 running at 3GB/s instead of 6GB/s. Pretty sure it was a post by Speedy so maybe he can point us in the right direction.

My patriot is on Port 0 and running just fine at 6GB/s so not sure what else could cause it.

 

Look here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/599932-fresh-m18x-install-ssd-issues.html

Sometimes port 0 is not running at 6GB/s according to Speedy. I have a crucial M4 on port 0 and Intel RST reports 6GB/s. I need to do further testing to be sure it is indeed 6GB/s

 

hmm, just did my M4 on 0 tonight and its blazing fast. Maybe its a vertex issue with s0?

 

Could very well be, I have zero problems with my patriot. Compared my speeds to the benchmarks from various sites and seems to be dead on performance wise (no stuttering or any other annoying things either).

 

I'm getting more and more hesitant to install this crucial M4... and instead want to go with the drive that will give me the least hassle possible. Should i return this drive for a patriot? or ocz? i'm so confused at this point.

 

General feeling I got when researching, OCZ has had some issues, as did the Force 3 series, Patriot was a relative unknown (I like patriot hence my choice). The M4 uses the marvell controller so if you don't want a sandforce it's a good option.

So all in all personal preference.

 

Well I would try OCZ or Patriot, they are the only two options with SF. From what everyone seems to say if you want to have the best of both worlds (speed/Reliability), get the Intel 510.

 

you are slowed down by the dvd drive in this scenario so it's nothing to do with the hard drive.

 

Make a usb thumb drive windows install disk and I guarantee you will be done FAST!

I only have a samsung 810 (only runs 3GB/s speeds) and it is still crazy fast..

D.

 

Where in the fresh windows install link does there say to install the bios? I don't see it... so is the bios installed by itself?

thanks

 

You dont have to do anything with the bios. Thats on a chip on the motherboard.

You can update it if you want to, take a look at Dell support site for the latest bios.