AW 13 problem swapping out to SSD

So I got my nice new AW13 yesterday and the SSD I am putting in it today. I got a Crucial MX100 512 7mm to go into the new laptop, but am having issues with the system not recognizing the drive. Is anyone else having this problem or has anyone else successfully swapped out to SSD?

I got the Acronis drive software with the drive, so I popped the MX100 into an external USB drive cage. When I plug the USB cable into the system, the drive is recognized and I successfully clone all of the partitions on the 1TB drive. I then install the SSD into the laptop, fire it up and get the message asking for bootable media. When I go into the bios, it does not show a HDD listed at all. I can unplug the same drive and put it back into the USB cage and it is recognized when I boot from the 1TB spinning drive.

I talked to Crucial and they were baffled. The system is so new to them that they didnt have any documentation. The tech thought it was something with the cable or maybe something that needs to be updated in their bios?

Any thoughts? If anyone has successfully made a swap, please let me know what drive they got to work.
Thanks!

 

Hey dude, wanted to make an account just to tell you that you are not alone.
I have a 960GB Crucial M500. Same problem. It works on every computer I have except the alienware 13. I even updated the firmware and still nothing.
We're going to need more data to be sure, but this may be specific to Crucial. The Samsung SSD i tried is fine.
This is either something that Crucial can fix or is something that Alienware can fix. Typically alienware will release newer BIOS versions with fixes... I want to make sure they are aware of this problem so that it can be included in a BIOS fix if it is on their end.
So, lets both try contacting alienware support to make them aware.

 

Thanks for the response. It's good to know I'm not alone in the problem and that you got a Samsung to work. I'll open a ticket with Dell and see if they have anything to share about a bios update in the works. Worst case is that I have to pull the cord on the amazon 30 day policy on the Crucial drive and try a Samsung.

 

I got a Crucial m500 as well and the computer doesn't recognize the drive. Well, that's annoying.

I'm going to purchase a Samsung SSD soon and see if that works... hope it does.

 

Just wanted to add that I tried a crucial mx100 512gb and the ssd does not show up in bios. I then popped in a Samsung 840 500gb and it shows up perfectly and windows install went fine.
Really odd but I am sure Dell will fix it in a BIOS update

 

Hey Ninja, that's good to hear - got a 850 Pro 256 GB ready to pop into the final unit I settled on, glad to hear it sounds like the Samsung's work fine.

 

how many drives can i fit in the 13? can i add an ssd on top of the harddrive?

 

1x SSD/HDD

or

2x m.2 (apologies, fixed.)

 

Yeah I am sure the 850 pro will work fine. I would like to get a 500gb 850 pro if I ever see a good deal.

 

anyone try an intel ssd. i was thinking of going to bestbuy tom and picking one up

 

Bestbuy...? They're having sales everywhere online! Check Newegg and Tigerdirect both of which don't charge taxes to most states!!!

 

Yeah i know but i cant wait to get an SSD in my AW13 >.< I can't bear this 5400 drive. I backed up shadow or mordor on my home rig to install to my AW13, the game took over an hour n a half to install to the drive . Now I refuse to install any games or progams on mine till i get an SSD

 

Ah I see. I don't know which part of the world you live, but mine was delivered in 2 days from Tigerdirect. Newegg is always under 3 days. I think those days are short enough to save... 50+ bucks.

That's weird, the 5400 isn't THAT bad. I've used 7200 before the SSD and 5400 is bearable, at least for a few days.

 

I'm probably just so used to SSD speed. I dont like if something takes more than like 10 seconds to load haha

 

I know the feeling, I ran my 13 for a couple of days with the 5400 hdd before installing a SSD. The BF4 loading times were painful!

 

Which SSD are you using btw? Im a lil bit scared of which to buy because of the problem these guys are having haha

 

I am using a Samsung 840 evo 500gb with no problems. I also tried a crucial mx100 which didn't work

 

I just put in a Samsung 840 Evo as well. No problems.

My Crucial M500 didn't work. Wasn't recognized.

I called Alienware once regarding this matter and their tech completely refused to accept that there is a problem with the Crucial SSDs being recognized. I advised her to look at this forums to see the problems lying in the other people with the Crucial devices as well, but she flat out told me that she's not going to look into the problems that she doesn't think exists. So. Whatever. I was in no way belligerent either... I'm always nice.