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Upgrading to SSD. Need advice.

Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by iMags, Mar 1, 2014.

iMags Newbie

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Hi.
I just upgraded the hard drive on my Alienware m15x to SSD.
I'm not planning on migrating from the old hard drive to the SSD, since I'm planning a clean Windows 7 install.

Since my computer knowledge is very limited, the question I pose should be fairly easy to answer for the computer experts here.
I understand that I actually have to enter the BIOS setup and choose between RAID or AHCI before I insert the Windows 7 disc and start installing.
So the question is: Should I go with RAID or AHCI?

I don't even know what RAID or AHCI is, so help would be greatly appreciated

iMags, Mar 1, 2014

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iMags Newbie

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Maybe I should add that I bought a Samsung SSD 840 Pro.

iMags, Mar 1, 2014

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RCB Notebook Deity

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AHCI: AHCI - Bing

With Dells', the RAID On mode can be left at the default as long as you use a Windows reinstallation disk sold/provided by Dell exclusively (It will also work in AHCI mode). If you download a generic Windows from the internet like from Microsoft store you'll need to switch to AHCI mode. The Dell Windows DVD uses a special script built-in to facilitate easy installation in either.

RCB, Mar 1, 2014

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