Dell XPS 9560 Clean install guide + custom ISO download.

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Finally got the XPS 15 and really happy with these. Just a quick question, already did a clean install. I have the 1TB SSD version. What Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver do I install? There seems to be 2 versions on the Dell driver download page. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

 

If you have a single drive you should really be in ACHI mode and install the samsung NVMe driver as the RST suite is one more thing you don't need running.

AFAIK without looking Dell will offer the software suite and a separate zip with the files needed to boot the install media (doesn't really apply to the latest windows as it is part of the boot environment now) but either way if you are going to stick in RAID mode go get the latest RST suite from Intel anyway.

 

Yes I have a single drive. I am a novice user and I don't know how to be in ACHI mode. Any tips on how to do this?

Thanks for the fast reply.

 

1st 3 posts here http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/trying-ahci-mode-xps-15-9550.785081/

 

Thanks will try this. So I am much better off in AHCI mode?

 

RAID mode caused so many problems in the early days that most of us switched unless we had 2 drives.
It has no place on a single drive system but Dell use a single image for all.

 

I wish I could easily follow the steps you provided. I am afraid to ruin the computer. I was surprised the clean installation of windows 10 went smoothly.

 

Fair enough, hard to get wrong and worst case would be a reinstall, you can't physically break anything

 

I am into the BIOS settings. So in System Configuration under SATA Operation, I will choose AHCI instead of RAID On right? Because right now it is set to RAID On.

 

Correct but the operating system needs to be in safe mode or it will blue screen when you restart it.

 

I cant seem to boot into safe mode. I tried the msconfig and its giving me an error message:

System configuration cannot save the original boot configuration for later restoration. Boot changes will be reverted.

Then a BitLocker Drive Encryption error message also.

 

You would need to temporarily disable bitlocker and you can hold shift when you reboot to bring up the options including safe mode.

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So I followed the steps to boot into safe mode then change to AHCI. Then I click on exit. Then a screen comes up saying Startup settings. Do I boot into safe mode again? Or do I hit enter to return to my operating system?

 

So I followed the steps and was able to boot into safe mode and change to AHCI. But when it restarted again, I got the blue screen.

What to do now?

 

You need to boot into safe mode, then do it again but enter the bios and make the change, it will then go into safe mode as planned after you made the change. After that a normal reboot and you should be back to normal.

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Ok so I think I finally got it to work. Checked the BIOS settings and it is set to AHCI. What do I need to do now sir?

 

Grab the samsung driver http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.c...Samsung_NVM_Express_Driver_2.3.exe&OriginYN=N
and install it. After the reboot you will see it under storage controllers.

Thats it

 

I exactly followed your instructions and now I can see the Samsung NVMe Controller under the Storage Controllers. So I don't need to do anything anymore? I will not install the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver?

 

No m8, Intel rst doesn't have any function in ahci mode.

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Ok thanks, I have also installed the latest Nvidia drivers directly on their website. What about the sound drivers and the Intel graphics drivers? Do I also get them directly on the website?

 

Sound is pulled down via windows update, intel drivers, well have a play with them as they can be buggy.

 

So I'm better off with the drivers that windows update installed on both audio and the Intel graphics card?

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If it writings then yes

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Thank you so much for the tips. Any tips/tricks on how to extend battery life? I read some posts about disabling touchscreen at BIOS, switching to Intel graphics when not playing games, lower resolution and brightness, etc. But I don't know to disable the touchscreen and to switch to Intel graphics. Curious to know what suggestions you might have.

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Plenty of threads on here about performance and battery saving, this is just about installing Windows m8

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Thanks again.

 

What are your startup bootup times? Is like 20 secs to windows normal?

 

restart yes, after using shutdown no as fast startup is enabled on mine.

 

Sure? After i read this, i uninstalled Intel Rapid and got an exclamation mark in device manager on the sata-ahci-controller?
Samsung NVME Driver is installed ...

Bios is in AHCI Mode and i only have checked there the PCIE-Option, the two sata options in bios are unchecked.

 

Because you now probably overwrote then removed the intel ACHI driver with the intel RST install, download the latest intel driver from here https://mega.nz/#!5N8nXZaT!Ivz5xZlChkR2BgJi5Q29S_H-rOfg9hqTjDqUjAsXwUo
extract the rar to a folder, right click the yellow ! you now have, click update driver, then browse, then press let me pick followed by have disk and navigate to the folder you extracted the files to, finally pick iaAHCIC.inf and install that one.

 

It worked. Thank you so much!

 

Congrats

 

GoNz0, and all
I have a Dell XPS15 - 9560 (current BIOS 1.6.2) and am getting no where trying to install and get functional with a Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD (512GB)...
I have read this thread completely, and I have strictly adhered to your description and while I have successfully downloaded your iso and created a functional USB boot drive (I do get Windows 10 install sequence) i am thwarted when it comes to selecting the drive "Where do you want to install Windows?" as my Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD is not detected.

I attempt to "Load Driver" at the windows install prompt, using the F6 RST drivers from Intel, the driver installs (iaStorAC.inf) but the drive is still not seen. When I look at the BIOS during start up, the drive is not detected in the BIOS. Spent about 2 hours on Tech Spt with Dell to no avail. The original 32gb SSD with 512 spinning SATA HD do function without anomaly as delivered from Dell. I have also searched Samsung 960 Pro M.2 is compatible with XPS 15 9560 and I cannot find anything that indicates it is not, nor do I find anyone who has done this upgrade. The M Keyed drive fits in nicely, no issues seating it but, just in case I have re-seated very carefully, but no change.

Do you have any thoughts on this? It seems that the BIOS not detecting the Samsung 960 Pro is my impasse, but I cannot figure out through reading the Dell documentation on the 9560 or on line sources, including this thread, how to overcome this issue. Any help specifically related to Samsung 960 Pro M.2, Dell XPS 15 9560 and BIOS will be very welcome! thank you! -grim

 

Drives probably DOA then. Not much else to say as you have reseated it and it is compatible.

 

Thank you for the reply! Do you have any reason to suspect a compatibility issue with the Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD and the 9560? I am going to see about a return or replacement but do not want to replace with 960 Pro if there is some other compatibility issue...have you heard of anyone successfully installing Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD on the Dell xps15 9560?
Thanks again!

 

I already said it's compatible, people have them installed.

 

Yes, you did state it is compatible. Not sure how often Samsung ships a DOA 960 Pro M.2, it is surprising... Working through Amazon for return, the vendor has a mean restock fee even for DOA. Dell tech support had no suggestions beyond what I did and you wrote. Not seen in BIOS at initial power up so not much to do. Not having tried any other M keyed M.2 SSDs, I just had little confidence and was hoping to hear from someone who actually tried this combination. I was looking for a proven solution, albeit with some good performance. Will see what happens with return and re-order process and will update on round 2...I will infer a recommendation to try another Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD in this 9560. Thank you GoNz0!

 

No idea where you live but we have the DSR in the UK so they can't try and force bogus restocking fees, but if it doesn't show in the BIOS it doesn't work. Why not RMA direct with Samsung if he is being a twat?

 

Tennessee, USA

Will see how Nspire on Amazon chooses to handle this...
https://www.amazon.com/s?marketplac...I785YUY7&merchant=AHG2MI785YUY7&redirect=true

 

Heard anything?

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Return completed, awaiting refund. Received new Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD (512GB) just installed a minute ago... Not seen in BIOS I am losing my mind!

BIOS is up to date...Dell no help I have no idea what to

 

wtfh!
This cannot be 2 duff drives in a row then can it, mine (960 evo) shows under m.2 PCIe SSD-0 as it's serial number.
Can you try a factory reset of the BIOS (it offers 2 options, just do them both) and see if that brings it to life as I have had to do that to get some USB drives to show as bootable before. After that try older BIOS but you really shouldn't need to do that with the latest working for my evo?

 

GoNz0, thanks for the reply!!! You have a photo of your drive in the BIOS?

I have done factory setting as well as BIOS default to no avail.

Spent about 1.5 hours with Dell last week and then today, spent about 30 min with Samsung. They were pleasant but Samsung has no information on 9560 with the 960 Pro and they suspect a compatibility issue. So no information on a 9560 user with a NVMe 960Pro installed. The Samsung rep suggested a firmware update to the 960Pro but as it is not recognized in the BIOS I haven't a way to do that conveniently.

I have been able to draw one conclusion, it would seem the XPS15 9560 is not compatible with the Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD and the 9560 BIOS 1.6.2 (current BIOS) -- very disappointing...a bit pissed at this evolution, quite frustrating.

But IF ANYONE on this forum has a Dell XPS 9650 (not a 9550) and has successfully installed a Samsung 960 Pro M.2 SSD (not EVO) I'd be keen to hear about the experience and if any unique steps were necessary to get the Samsung recognized by the BIOS or which BIOS version was used...again I have 1.6.2 which is Dell's most recent BIOS for the 9560.

 

Not sure what else to do, will see if I can get the issue raised within Dell and see if they may recognize a bios / compatibility issue.

In the mean while I am trying to find a known hardware combination of m.2 SSD 512gb or 1tb working on a xps15 9560.

Thanks!

 

Go going to bail on the Samsung 960Pro m.2
and go with a Samsung 960 EVO (PM961) NVMe PCIe M.2

http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-XPS-15-9560/48067

The link above lists compatible hw on the 9560, maybe Dell will support the latest GEN of Samsung nvme in the future. For now, I would not recommend a 960Pro on a xps15 9560.

Thanks for the help GoNz0. I'll update w the results of the 960EVO (PM961) but it will probably be after the new year and delayed due to work, pisser.

 

The OEM drives do come with the Dell, the Evo definitely works and is retail so you get a real warranty and support on it.

 

I am curious if even if it doesn't show up in the bios if windows install detects it? I don't recall what my 9560 showed, but my 9550 never showed my NVMe SSDs and they still functioned.

 

Booting from USB per GoNz0 instructions, drive never detected during WIN10 install....even when drivers updated (F6)

 

Wow that's so odd. There are a ton of posts on reddit where people are running the 960 pro without issue.