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    IDE Port???

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by pcwhiz24, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. pcwhiz24

    pcwhiz24 Newbie

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    I ordered an Alienware M15X R1 from ebay that didn't come with a hard drive (I was planning on installing an SSD I have on it)

    But when I went to install the SSD, I find the laptop has an IDE port! If this laptop came out in 2009, how the heck does it have an IDE port for the hard drive?

    Is it supposed to have an IDE? Is there a revision/model of the M15X that had IDE ports? I'm so confused/angry right now.

    Was this a scam of some sort?
     
  2. mike26668

    mike26668 Notebook Consultant

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    pre Dell ones could have them i think.
     
  3. t456

    t456 1977-09-05, 12:56:00 UTC

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    First capture of the M15X "Tech Specs" page is 15th September 2008; so even in 2008 it lists "SATA" ... sure you're not looking at the ATAPI port?

    Even if it were truly so, you could always use an IDE > ... adapter (ie, at max. 100MB/s). Pimped my 2003 Dell with an 840 EVO just for the hell of it :D .
     
  4. pcwhiz24

    pcwhiz24 Newbie

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    This is what I'm looking at after taking the HDD caddy out:

    IMG_30219.jpg
     
  5. t456

    t456 1977-09-05, 12:56:00 UTC

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    Ah, one of those. Don't worry, you're just missing the sata interposer. Dell sure had some strange ideas ... that 2003 Latitude had something similar.

    You should ask the seller, damn thing's unlikely to be of any use to him anyway. Though it's probably gone along with the defective hdd; they attach pretty snugly to the drive, so it may seem like they're part the hdd.
     
  6. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

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    Ah yes t456 is correct. Luckily the interposer is cheap off ebay.

    The Alienware M15x is as standard SATA II. Even is 2007 this was the standard so I guess the older Area 51 M15x had it too.

    There is no R1 or R2 M15x. Only pre dell and dell.
     
  7. pcwhiz24

    pcwhiz24 Newbie

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    Okay, the interposer finally arrived, but it won't fit! What up???
     
  8. t456

    t456 1977-09-05, 12:56:00 UTC

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  9. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Yes there are a variety of interposers for different brands so getting the right one is needed.