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    32GB SSD not visible

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by elzike, Oct 15, 2012.

  1. elzike

    elzike Newbie

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    Hello,

    During the first check on my Alienware m14x-R2, i noticed that 32GB SSD is not visible. I had ordered a 32GB SSD + the 500GB HD configuration but only the 500GB is seen.

    I had a look on the internet to see if others experienced this issue but could not. I then called Dell Technical Support who were initially surprised to hear that the SSD is not visible, had me open the laptop to confirm that the SSD is actually installed, and then after some time gave me a completely different explanation: everything is OK, the SSD is only 32GB and is therefore not meant to be seen, it is serving as a "catalyst" to make the system run faster. I requested this explanation to be emailed to me but i'm yet to receive anything.

    I must add that during my telephone conversation with Technical Support I was requested to upgrade the BIOS but the Dell website kept saying that the filed was not available.

    Is it normal for the SSD not to be visible at all? I know that Windows 7 takes 17-20GB from the available space, does this mean i have no access to the remaining space of the SSD?

    I acknowledge it was a mistake to go for Dell's SSD in the first place. This is attributed to lack of research of my behalf. It is my first experience with such drives and would therefore welcome any feedback.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    elzike, Oct 15, 2012
    #1
  2. alienowl

    alienowl Notebook Consultant

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    The 32 GB SSD is acting as a caching drive, which speeds up commonly used programs and helps speed up boot times. The caching drive is not visible as it is not user accessible. You can use it as a boot drive if you set it up that way, I believe, but that would also mean installing the OS on it.

    You could replace the 32 GB msata with a bigger drive and install the OS on it and then have your 500 GB as a data drive.
     
    alienowl, Oct 15, 2012
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  3. elzike

    elzike Newbie

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    alienowl, thank you for your feedback
     
    elzike, Oct 16, 2012
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  4. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Just as a fyi, win7 takes up about 9gb on my 32gb msata drive. So you should be able to install your OS on there, but then the only thing that will be fast is booting the computer... your programs and games wont fit, so they will have to be on your standard hdd.
     
    ejohnson, Oct 16, 2012
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  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Also you can view the mSATA drive as a caching device if you go into the IRST driver. The best way to go would be to get a bigger one and install the O.S there :)
    If you need pricing info you can send us an e-mail to [email protected] with your request and service tag.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Oct 16, 2012
    #5