XPS15 9550-4945 32GB "Cache" SSD upgrade

Sooo...

A couple of days after installing new SSD and a fresh install of Windows 10 I've had the following two blue screen crashes that have happened twice (each) at random times:

1. kernel_data_inpage_error (dxgmms2.sys)
2. critical_process_died

System is taking circa 20 secs to boot and reach windows screen (not sure if this is fast or slow, as I don't have a benchmark) and otherwise seems to be working fine.

Anyone experienced the above issues or have any pointers on how to resolve?

Cheers

Steve

 

Listed an awful on here that you have to update the storage controller with either the samsung or toshiba driver to get a stable system. Have a look around as the majority of my posts are repeating myself on this topic so you can easily find the drivers needed

 

Wished I had seen this post before installing the 960 nvme....ugg. Well hopefully I will get the m2 and put this on my desktop.

 

Googs - don't confuse the 9550 and 9350 as m.2 performance is different

 

Greetings,
Lots of good information here. I am hoping someone can give me some help on my 950PRO install.
I have read through all 11 pages of this thread and I am not sure what I am missing.

My setup:

DELL XPS15 9550 i5
BIOS - 1.2.19
I am installing a new copy of WIN10 out of the box i bought at the store

My process:

I installed Windows with the following BIOS settings
Boot List Option - UEFI
SATA Operation - AHCI
Secure Boot - Disabled

Windows installs fine without any additional input from me.

My problem:

When Windows reboots after install the computer tells me no hard drive found.
I go into the BIOS and I see the 950PRO listed there...I select it...hit enter...and it boots into windows.
Additionally, at this point, if I set the BIOS back to LEGACY mode the laptop boots and restarts as normal.

My goal is to run the BIOS in UEFI.

Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

Boot time should be 5-6 seconds to desktop on this laptop

 

There are several threads here that you should read:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ean-install-guide-custom-iso-download.789769/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...windows-10-after-m-2-nvme-ssd-upgrade.787420/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...from-512gb-pm951-to-512gb-950-pro-ssd.789145/

 

What pressing said, the 1st link would apply best as that sets the secure boot environment pre install and the ISO has the necessary Raid/AHCI drivers as part of the image.

 

Hello everyone . Im from Ukraine ,i hope you will be not angry on me for my question , cos its reely hard for me to understand many things on English.
i got on work dell xps 15 i5 with 1tb hdd +32gbssd cash and it is just crazy slowww...just impossible to work with
I have an old 2,5 ssd from Kingston 120gb
The question is can i just clone my system fron hdd to ssd? and it will work correct with 32 gb ssd ?
or i have to make some changes in bios ?
If its not hard for you can you just tipe short step by step instruction for noob like me. Thank you and look forward to hear back from you..

 

You could clone the drive, but that is far from optimal. You don't need the 32gb cache drive with a SSD.
I would recommend doing a fresh install, you can find all the steps here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ean-install-guide-custom-iso-download.789769/

 

have done everything like in this post. when i try to instal windows to new ssd it comes alarm -the file system is not in gpt format. i have change it to gpt format. then comes next alarm still not possible instal windows check log files. but when i put back old hdd it works. have you any idea what it could be ?

 

Google as always has the answer https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-format-c-drive-2626123

 

Just got one of these Micron M.2 SSD MTFDDAY256MBF-1AN12 and it does not fit all the way on the XPS 9550. What are my options?

 

seems like you got m.2 2260 form factor ssd.

The bracket they include is designed for m.2 2242 ssd (for the included 32G cache drive)

That slot is intended to be used with 2280 m.2 drives, which are the common ones.

I don't really know any computer that uses 2260 slots and I think its best to return it.
You could put some thermal pads on it and close it up, then it should make good enough contacts with the pins. Vibration may put stress on the connectors though.

 

You could make your own extension or you can buy something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161911716252?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

 

As above, you are s

Wouldn't fit in the laptop considering you have a 1-1.5mm gap from the SSD to the case. I expect you could mod the one that comes with the cache drive though.

 

I have the exact same SSD (I also tried it with a 512GB M600 as well) and that bracket and it fits, but I appreciate your input.

 

I am surprised, no thermal pad needed then?
Has to be beyond close with the limited gap in the 1st place?

 

SATA drives don't need thermal pads. It's close, but it fits. The saving grace is that the shorter SSD comes up short of the curve on the bottom of the case.

 

Makes sense

 

How about this one https://www.amazon.com/NGFF-Asus-UX...rd_wg=1hUeV&psc=1&refRID=MSJHXWBNQW6HFV5YE3X2

So if I go with Samsung NVME, will it require thermal pad?

 

Yes, mSata doesn't need a pad as they are so slow compared to NVMe so you are stuck with Sata3 m.2 drives only unless you want heat issues.

 

Should work. If you go with a samsung NVME drive, I don't think they make them in anything but an 80mm so you don't need an adapter.

 

What you linked above (amazon) will not work with xps 15. It is used for select asus zenbooks and some macbooks. They used some weird connectors for their ssds.

Just get a normal m.2 2280 ssd...

Almost every nvme/pcie ssds are 2280 form factor

 

Hello everyone, I'm back ... I read the interesting discussion, and since I have some doubts, I ask you: can I replace the 32gb ssd cache with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ef_=ox_sc_sfl_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Thank you

 

Several of us (including me) have the Samsung 850EVO in the 9550. I have no issues.

 

Yes I use the 256gb version of that one no problem and it is fast.

 

Thank you. Once I installed I also put a thermic pad? If so, can you tell me a link where to buy it, I'm no expert!

 

Not needed on sata devices only NVMe.

 

Thank you!

 

Please, forgive me .... if i want to install samsung evo 960 500 gb NVME m.2, where I can find a suitable thermal pad? I'm inexperienced, so I need your guide! Thank you

 

buy any 2mm pad and you will be fine.

 

Where and what!??! i've not idea! have you a link or a kind? Thank you

 

Really?

Try a place called eBay, pick a size big enough (you can cut them) and buy one

Search for "2mm thermal pad"

Something like this that meets your price range and delivery area. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100mm-x-1...163908?hash=item5692dd4c04:g:Ug0AAOSwMgdXyoFa

 

Thank you!!!

 

Well,if I want to replace the mechanical hard drive (1Tb) with a SSD, what do you recommend? it is true that the maximum capacity must be 1tb? what features should it have? Thank you

 

Start by reading through the thread.

 

Having to install new ssd (with clean installation of w10), I want to take this opportunity to also replaced the wifi card! Is This compatible for xps15 9550 2016?

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Intel-Dual-B...041177222?clk_rvr_id=1176437078015&rmvSB=true

 

I just orderd the xps 15 9550 with 32gb cache and 1 tb. I want to get both of the drives deleted and i will instal an 2.5 inch samsung evo 850 or 750. Later i will buy a m2 sata ssd but for now wil this work like my old asus with the 850 installed?

 

It will work. Remove the 32GB drive as it is a dog.

One guy reported the 2.5" bay is SATA2 speed limited. Only one person tested it so indeed it may run at full SATA3 speeds. Let us know...

 

Curious why are people trying to replace the wifi card? Isn't it already pretty fast?

 

The DW (Broadcom) 1830 should in fact be faster, 3x3, at least nominally and within decent range of 3x3 compatible router.
But it some of the issues showing up with the 9550 and the docks happened to disappear upon replacement with Intel 8260, which is regularly shipped in the Precision series. The wifi and BT drivers are also available on the 9550 support page so it is kinda original configuration, though most people install drivers from the Intel site.

The 8265 is a later generation, comes with the 5520/9560. Not better by specs AFAIK. Should likely work with drivers from Intel.

Intel doesn't do 3x3. They have tri-band WiGig cards. But that's rather short-range wireless docking than some superfast wifi, an option with some recent Dell Latitudes. The most recent version of the card isn't too big to fit, but it needs a special antenna.

 

I haven't checked but I assume it still has the 3 antenna array behind the screen hinge cover. If it does you should be able to add the 3rd antenna wire again like the 9550. Same screen after all

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

This is a 9550 thread...
The 9550 has 3 antenna wires, so when inserting the Intel 8260 (8265) card the grey one is unused.
If anyone would want to experiment with wigig, the Intel 18265 also has 3 antenna connectors, but the third one needs a different 60GHz antenna.
The 17265 is bigger, likely doesn't fit.

https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/w...s/tri-band-wireless-ac-wigig-18265-brief.html

 

Just got my 9550 xps and replaced the 32gb cache and 1 tb for a Samsung Evo m.2 256GB SSD. Out of the box i got bios 1.2.12. Can i update the bios to 1.2.19 the lastest one? Or are there any problems.

 

I've got the same setup and did the same replacement (I used the sata based m.2 one not nvme) .. I'm running latest bios no issues. But I'm not running ahci.

 

I also got a m.2 one ot NVME but why are u running RAID mode with a new M.2 SSD drive?

 

Because it's just a sata m.2 drive and it seems to work fast and reliable .. my boot time is like 5-7 seconds. What's the advantage to running ahci?

 

Greetings, I am having the same issue. How did you get your problem resolved? Thanks!