Crucial m550 mSATA in Alienware m18x r2, BIG PROBLEMS Need help!!

I bought a crucial m550 mSATA ssd, and I thought that I could just put it in the system in the mSATA slot, but I tried this and it does not work. The BIOS is not detecting it.
I have tried to do a power cycle three times, no avail.
I have tried resetting the CMOS about 10 times. No avail.
I have tried reformatting windows. No avail.
I have tried to reflash my system BIOS. No avail.
I have tried reseating the damn thing about 50 times now. No avail.
I have also made sure that the msata cable was in tight and secure. It was and currently is, but no avail.

I really don't know what to do at this point. Although during my troubleshooting, I started up windows one time, and it installed an ATA port 5 sort of thing, but the drive was never recognized and I still can't get it to show in the BIOS, no matter what I do.

I have run out of options, and now I need to consult the minds of the internet. Thanks.

 

Is there multiple mSATA like slots on your notebook? Unless specifically wired for storage, these type of slots are for wifi cards and such.

Can you try the drive in another computer to test if it's the drive or not?

The drive could be dead (you did take the battery and removed the power plug when you installed it, right?), but I think that it is most likely the slot that you're putting it in to.

Good luck.

 

Yeah this is strange.. I know that the 18x R2 has 1 mSATA slot... So there are not other slots... I personally think that if the drive isn't being detected there are 2 possible reasons

1. Drive is dead. Return and it and get another one
2. Your mSATA slot is dead.. I think outcome 1 is more likely then 2 tbh

Try getting another drive and seeing if the problem is solved...

 

The drive heats up when it's in the slot, so I don't think that the mSATA slot is dead. It could be a dead card, but it's new. How could it be dead?
How would I test if its a dead slot or a dead card? I don't have anybody elses system around to test it.
I do have a replacement on the way, so lets see if that one works.

Could I get this and see if it works by usb?

 

Yeah, you could try the mSATA SSD Enclosure Adapter, but I wouldn't throw more money at this problem.

The drive heats up when in the slot? How hot? Just warm, or worse? That is not a good sign; could mean that the controller is 'racing' on the mSATA SSD, or, that the connections/logic on the slot isn't meant for a storage device.

Can you verify that the slot connection points are clean and free from debris/paper/dust/etc.? If you're lucky, it may just be a single pin not making proper contact (or shorting) and giving you these headaches.

 

No it doesn't get too hot, it just gets warm. In fact the 2.5 mm ssds that I have installed get warmer than the msata.

Here's the thing. Is the crucial m550 msata only sata iii, or is it also backwards compatible to sata ii? Because the msata slot in my computer only supports up to sata ii, but I figured that the drive would be backwards compatible with the slot and perform at sata ii speeds.

I wonder if I could just have something as simple as a bad drive.

A replacement is on the way, and I think I am going to get that enclosure just to make sure that the drive is bad and it's not my msata slot. I can return it anyway.

 

Backwards compatible.

 

SniperTNT it most likely is a bad drive, don't worry. However, it won't hurt if you check your slot with another drive, and the drive in another notebook, to make sure it isn't compatibility problem.

 

The guys over at Crucial technical support had assured me that it is compatible with my system, and BY THEORY it should function.

 

you probably have a dead drive, RMA it.