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    Installing SSD

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Muskie 50, Nov 2, 2011.

  1. Muskie 50

    Muskie 50 Newbie

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    I've been searching for a few days and still have some questions. Do I need to change anything in the bios for the ssd? I don't want to use the alienware backup disk for windows 7, I'll download a fresh copy, my question is where's my key? is it the bar code in the back of the alienware book? Will I have internet acess to download drivers ect...... or do I have to burn these things to disk prior to ssd install? I saw the thread on the 5.5gb win7 install, this seems to be geared for trimming down size, is this also the best way to go as far as speed or is there somthing better?

    Thanks
     
  2. IrateMike

    IrateMike Notebook Geek

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    You should make sure that SATA control mode is set to AHCI in the BIOS. It's not required, but recommended for solid state drives.
    If you have the factory Alienware OS install disk that came with your computer, then it will restore it to a factory out of the box state.
    Your product key is on a sticker that is on the underside of your laptop (I'm assuming you have a M15x r2 since you are posting in this forum) labelled 'Proof of Licence - Certificate of Authenticity'. Just a heads up, there's no guarantee that this key will work with a downloaded copy of windows 7 off the internet.. try at your own risk.
    Provided you have an internet connection, you should be able to connect and download all the drivers you need afterwards from the Dell support website.. I generally prefer to download all the drivers and burn them to a disk (or keep them on an external hard drive) prior to my reinstall, just makes it easier.
     
  3. khetik

    khetik Notebook Deity

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    The windows 7 alienware disc you received allows you to do a fresh install of windows 7. There is no need to download a copy of windows 7. You will not have any wifi access because there won't be a driver installed for it. You can either download them and put them on a cd or ext hdd. Make sure you follow the driver install order, there is a thread for that but i'm on my phone right now, so can't exactly link to it.
     
  4. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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