SSD upgrade issue on pre-dell m17x-r1

hello. i've posted about my old m17x on this site before (if you're wondering, yes i got dual quadro fx 3700m's flashed to 9800m gt's in sli to work properly), and now i have a new problem. i want the machine to perform as good as it can, so i got it a samsung pm871 256gb ssd. but as soon as i put it in, it started up saying that the secondary primary master (the ssd) had an error, and it didn't even see the ssd in the bootable options. i read up that someone had a similar issue with a samsung 830 series in their m17-r1, and that enabling raid would solve this, and it did to some degree. it is now seen in the bios, but it still starts up with the error on the ssd. i've tested the ssd in another computer, and it works just fine. it's freshly formatted to ntfs.
the ssd is sata3. not sure if that bit of info matters.

 

I had an SSD Compatibility issue with my m5750 when I threw in a new SSD in 2005. I posted the details here. It came down to some trial & error to find an SSD with a controller compatible with my old machine.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/old-alienware-ssd-compatibility-thread.778099/

 

that's strange, because i was able to throw the same ssd into an mALX and it showed up in windows and bios just fine.

 

My intel one that didn't work in my older alienware worked perfectly in my desktop. I'd suggest returning the one you have and perhaps going with the same brand/type of drive that worked for me.

 

i'll just use it for an upcoming project and get the correct one at a later time.

 

quick question:
i'm doing to do the same fx 3700m upgrade to an area 51 m15x that i just ordered. is the stock power supply good enough to provide reliable power to it? if not, could i use the m9750 or m17-r1 power brick instead? i know they have higher wattage units, so they shouldn't get as hot or be as close to their max output as the stock adapter would.

 

According to notebookcheck, the FX 3700M has a TDP of 75W. I think the m15x R1 uses a 120W adaper (19V x 6.3A). Depending on your CPU, you're probably getting close to 120W, and you still need power for the rest of the laptop's components. The 120W adapter may be able to provide a bit more power past its rating, but you may be better off with something like 150W or higher.

You can use a more powerful adapter but the adapter must provide the same DC output voltage as your m15x adapter (19V), and the jack must have the same inner and outer diameters as well as the same polarity scheme as your m15x adapter.

You can physically measure the jack dimensions with a precision ruler or calipers, and to check the polarity scheme, there should be a polarity diagram on the adapter's label. Usually the center pin is DC+ while the outer barrel is DC-.

 

it just arrived, and so far, i haven't been able to get the display to show a picture. it lights up, but it stays black. i've tried the right click on startup and removing the video card to force it to use integrated graphics, but it still won't show anything.
it has a 2.1ghz t8100.
video card in it is an 8800m gtx. i tested it in my a51 m17x-r1, and it does show a picture, but it's all green, and won't install drivers. not sure if the oven method would be appropriate for this, but seeing as i was wanting to put the 3700m in it anyways, i might as well just resell it for parts.
hinges are dead to nobody's surprise. i expected this. i planned on using epoxy to repair them, but would it be worth it to repair the hinges, possible get a new mb if the one in it currently is dead, and have to get better power supply? i got it for $100.

 

Yeah, could be the card is dead since you tried it on two laptops. Oven trick worked for me in the past for a couple of video cards but is usually a temporary fix. I've fixed a 9600m and a couple of desktop 8800M GTS cards with the oven trick. It is basically meant to reflow the BGA solder points under the graphics core, but sometimes there are other issues that can't be fixed with a simple reflow. You may also want to try an external monitor. I've had a card that I thought was dead because it did not display to the laptop's screen, but it did strangely display to an external monitor via HDMI.

I am not aware of a single m15x r1 with intact hinges (actually the hinges are fine, it's the weak plastic on the screen cover that's the problem). Mine cracked the very first day I used the laptop. I fixed it with epoxy but ended up selling it and getting the newer M15X. Shame because the original m15x with the ribbed screen cover was my favorite Alienware design ever. I still look on e-bay from time to time for one. If the price is right, I'll pick one up and restore it.

 

i actually had the hinge on the newer dell M15x die on me we well. it stripped its screws out somehow.
when i put the 8800m gtx into an m17x that i have, this is how it displayed for me:

 

Almost looks like something you get when you have a bad lcd cable. Not sure what is causing this. One thing I'd do is make sure the card's MXM contacts are clean. And try an external display if you can.

 

after removing the lcd and moving it around a bit, i finally managed to make the screen on the m15x come on! at least now i know i don't have a completely dead unit.

the green was from the dead 8800m gtx video card. i put in the old fx 3700m one and it went back to normal.

 

I'm glad someone was able to chime in to help you, next time though if you want better responses you should probably start a new thread as the GPU replacement doesn't relate to the SSD. If you still have questions open a new thread here with and I would be happy to chime in with my .02.

 

i might. but right now i have a brand new back panel coming in to replace the old one. that will be my main priority in getting that all nice and full with epoxy before installing. how effective would loosening the hinges be with helping to preserve the new back panel even further? also the version of command center i found (i believe it was from protivakid's dropbox link he uploaded to another thread ages ago) recognizes my m15x with the backlit keyboard as the m17x without the backlit keyboard. is there a proper download anywhere for the old m15x?

 

Here you go...m15x Ripley model... https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_7C3Pd8ZrFKNm5VNVpLdzNGYUk/view?usp=drivesdk