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    Re-configuring XPS-15 mSATA+HDD to be separate boot-SSD and data-HDD...

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Laurence5905, Mar 13, 2013.

  1. Laurence5905

    Laurence5905 Newbie

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    Ok -- I'm wanting to order an XPS-15 with the 128GB mSATA + 1TB HDD option. I don't want to use the mSATA as a cache, like Dell sets it up from the factory. I'd prefer to re-install Windows 8 and have it boot from the mSATA as a separate drive and use the 1TB HDD for data-storage only...

    I believe I have a handle on the BIOS settings that are necessary to do this -- what I don't know is, will I be able to burn recovery-discs that will allow me to do this? Or will I have to buy a separate version of Windows 8 in order to re-install everything? Dell doesn't offer an actual Windows 8 install disc anymore (no manufacturer seems to offer this anymore), so I obviously can't wipe everything and re-install Win 8 from scratch...

    I've seen people mention that they've set up their XPS-15 this way, but no specifics on what I can expect when I actually go to re-install the software using the recovery discs that I assume I will have to burn myself when I first turn on the system.

    Any tips there?

    Thanks,
    Laurence MacNeill
    Mableton, Georgia, USA

    EDIT: Never mind -- I found the procedure in another post finally... (The search features on here are not the best, or at least I can't seem to get them to point me to an individual post in a large thread...)

    Here's the post, in case anyone else is having the same troubles I was with the search engine here:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...dows-8-wifi-1901-i7-3632qm-9.html#post9112731

    L.
     
    Laurence5905, Mar 13, 2013
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  2. c0derbear

    c0derbear Notebook Evangelist

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    Note that someone else had a minor issue with reinstall, that with the internet connected Win8 was picking up drivers out of order and causing a problem with QuickSet management of the LCD brightness. Keeping the machine off-net until all the drivers are in seems prudent.
     
    c0derbear, Mar 13, 2013
    #2