Boot up issues with a SSD. Who all is affected?

I have been reading up and noticed in this thread that I am not alone in having issues with my m14x booting up.

The issues is from time to time during boot up the computer hangs up at the Windows loading logo.

SSD Info:
Curcial M4 128GB Firmware 0009
Running SATA 6Gb/s, Tested speeds ~480 Read ~180 Write
Happens about 20% of the time

If you are having this issue as well please post your info. Hopefully we can get Dell to see the issue isn't in the SSD firmware and fix the problem.

 

@GStyle PM sent.

 

My personal judgement from what everything I have read it appears to me:

1. SandForce based SSD's appear to generally have issues with this computer.
2. Trying to run at SATA III speeds which is possible on the mx14x but it does not appear to be be stable at all.


I bought a non SandForce SSD, and a SATAII drive and have zero issues, and to anyone who wants to buy an SSD and need complete reliability (for school etc.)
I would recommend they do the same as it appears the mx14x is very picky about which SSD's will work correctly and problem free.

 

It must be Dell Bios. 2GStyle's M4 uses Marvell 88SS9174-BLD2. And yes, I agree Sandforce is still not without issues. Hopefully Intel with its SSD 520 will get things moving in the right direction with Sandforce.

@DC87 Nice one. I would like to know if there are any M14X users having stability/startup problems with Sata II (3Gbps) SSDs. +rep

@2GStyle I am very happy that you opened this thread. Dell will hopefully re-consider the fact, that many users buy their M14X with a wish that SATA III (6Gbps) is supported. M14X manual says SATA III suppported at SATA II speeds. Well, if I run my SATA III SSD at SATA II speeds, it has the same issues. And the M14X sales would be definitely better for Dell if people knew, that SATA III (6Gbps) is a sure thing.

GStyle +rep, BTW I still have 20% unsuccessful Win7 starts, PM sent.

 

Got a PM from 2GStyle too, obviously we are both in the M4 club. I posted on Crucial forum too, I intend to test my M4 512GB SSD as the OS drive in my desktop to see if the same issues occur. At the moment my M14x with upgraded 512gb Crucial m4 fw 0009 runs like this:

Latest Intel Rapid Storage driver installed, Sata II speeds reported.
Cold boot: Boots without error 80%, I/O device error otherwise
Sleep: 100% resume rate.
Short Hibernate (forced and restarted immediately for testing): Resumes without error 80%, otherwise resume lost with I/O device error, bad hiberfil.sys often reported
Long Hibernate (left off overnight, resumed after 6-7 hours+): Never resumes, I/O device error, bad hiberfil.sys often reported
Issues under all other normal operating conditions: NONE!

Have been away for a while, seen some people have A06 bios, I am on A05, has anyone tested SSD stability on A06?

 

I also have the I/O device error once every 6 or so cold boots. My old motherboard would have boot up issues every time, I could maybe get into windows once every 30 boots...

 

My intel 510 has similar issue and neither intel nor Dell want to help me after bagged my money.

 

...there are a million warnings on this forum about SATAIII drives and yet people still buy them...

 

I've got similar Issues, including random rebooting for not apparent reason, its a bit more stable than it was when i first installed it, however it still has issues.

SSD: Corsair Force 3 120GB
Firmware: Latest
Errors are maybe 5-10% of the time of boot, and <5% when in use and a random reboot. Still enough to be an annoyance and occasionally lose work.

 

I see that there are alot of complaints about sata III. Just for the sake of asking (cause nothing pop's up when i search "ssd" on the m14x forum), what is the best 60-120gig ssd for the m14x?

Please send me a link if there is already a thread for this. thanks!

 

I would not even get a SATAIII SSD as it just looks like a major headache but that's up too the user to decide what they want to do.

I recommend the Intel 320 series, I have the 120GB one and it works perfectly and it still offers pretty good performance.

 

So its our fault for wanting our new M14x laptops to work with sataIII drives. Give me a break.

 

Yeah I almost didn't purchase the mx14x due to this sole reason.

It is VERY odd I find at least that a brand new computer that can have a SATAIII SSD inside it cannot run at the proper speed.

Just..why lol

 

i'm just saying it is stupid given the multitude of warnings.

 

Where are these warning when you purchase the Laptop? Alienware's site states nothing on this fact.

Also before you jump to the conclusion that we did this to our selves, you might want to know if we bought our M14x and SSD prior to the issue being known.

 

There is no such warning.

Still nobody has problems with SSD II on M14X?

 

I couldn't even install windows with the corsair force 3 installed, just bombed out after expanding the files.

I then put my old force 120 (sandforce 2) in and it installed with no problems. Had the OS up for an day with ms ahci drivers with no problems. Going to try RST drivers later so I can put my 500gb in the optical bay (at least I wont be bothered about loosing sata 3 performance on the force 3 which has now gone into my m17x r3 and installed perfectly).

 

i'm just pointing out that half of the threads on the m14x forum are from people who keep buying 6gb/s ssd's and then complain about it not working. we knew this to be the case back in june-july. then it is frustrating that there are these "what ssd should i buy" threads where people who have been around for ALL of those discussions recommend the same ssd's that we know have boot issues. you won't find a solution if it isn't in a firmware update which is already released for the ssd. good luck

 

The problem is the laptop, not the SSDs themselves. Mine runs fine 90% of the time after a lot of tweaking. Dell really dropped the ball on this one, my next laptop probably won't be a dell related product.

 

What tweaks did you have to do to get the m4 working?

I just popped in a m4 and so far it is working fine with the MS AHCI drivers, not going to try the RST drivers.

 

I read through the forum and I too found out about the SATAIII issues with M14x and decided to opt for the safer.

Intel 320 works fine for me

 

I downloaded this bios

and enabled storage break event per this thread

I also did not install RST as that gives me sataII speeds.

 

i'm running a 120 GB intel 510 with no issues.

 

i am using running the m4 with no issues. i rebuilt the machine from scratch only 3 weeks ago so maybe the issues that people where having was based on old bios/drivers?

I do not install the intel drivers but stuck with the microsoft ones.

 

my 510 had lots of problems with waking from hibernate. how long have you had it bydoempire? the started around the 4 week mark.

 

No issues at all. OCZ Vertex 3 running at SATAIII speeds.

Just popped in the SSD, reinstalled windows from scratch using the DVD, did NOT install RST, installed all updated drivers.

 

running the new Samsung 830 128GB SSD with no issues in SATAIII at read seq of 483.33MB/s and write of 250.36 MB/s.

 

Which firmware version and bios version do you have installed?

 

This thread is about boot-up issues. The following tweak does not solve it. BUT still something I found useful. And this is nothing new, I was just lucky I saw it on the net and now happy I tried it.


My NOW SOLVED issue:

I used to have (before applying the tweak) SSD freezes and stuttering when running benchmarks. Namely ATTO and HD tune Pro. The benchmark would completely freeze my M14X for a minute, then continue to run, showing very low values at speed-value results in the benchmark.
I suspect that such SSD stuttering happens during normal use of applications, but is unnoticable or not so drastic as with the above benchmarks.

I have applied and TESTED FOR TWO WEEKS a tweak, which, since I applied it, just WORKS. Since I have it I have not had ONE freezing benchmark test since and the speeds are just perfectly consistent. It basically disables power saving SSD features for MSAHCI.

Please note: I can not confirm if this works/clashes with Intel RST installed !!! I use MSAHCI. This tweak had no effect on my 20% random Win7 start-up issues. [/COLOR

I have applied it two weeks ago, tested it and it just works.


The tweak and HOW:

Create a reg. file with the following values and apply. Text starts at next line.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\0012ee47-9041-4b5d-9b77-535fba8b1442\0b2d69d7-a2a1-449c-9680-f91c70521c60]
"Attributes"=dword:00000002

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\0012ee47-9041-4b5d-9b77-535fba8b1442\dab60367-53fe-4fbc-825e-521d069d2456]
"Attributes"=dword:00000002



Now restart, and go to power plan settings and set values as in my picture (these values are only good for an SSD).

p.s. Ignore my battery 30 min. setting. I do not have a battery in my M14X.

 

so is this even an acknowledged issue by Dell? i have an M4 in my mac book pro and its awesome so was going to put one in the m14x. I'm guessing thats a bad idea.

Neil.

 

I emailed them and phoned them multiple times

Basically Dell's attitude in this situation is "I got your money and I don't care, F off."

 

Received my brand new M14x yesterday - I'm soo happy with it. Booted it up initially to check that the processor was correct as to what I ordered and the rest of the specs etc. Had a play around with the AlienFX which worked well.

Then powered it down, opened it up, and installed 16GB 1333 GHZ RAM (Corsair) and also a Crucial M4 512GB SSD.

I did a clean install of everything, but did NOT install the Intel RST drivers. Everything seems to be working beautifully after hours of testing, installing and running applications and multiple cold and warm boots. Also definitely getting SATA III speeds - Windows Speed index gave my SSD a 7.9 rating, still have yet to benchmark properly but boot times and load times are amazing.

Also, for some reason my Bios Reads A06 - yet only version A05 is available on the Dell Support Drivers and Downloads Page for the M14x. I'm not sure if it's to do with that - that everything is working absolutely perfectly...so far

 

Jazza, you see 16 Gig in your system specs when in Windows? I ask because some people (incl. me) are doubting it that it works. The M14X manual states max 2x4 Gigs sticks is supported. Please check, it would make a lot more M14X users buy 16 Gig. Thanx

 

Hey c69k

Windows definitely sees 16GB of RAM when I check the system settings

The exact model I got is this - CMSO8GX3M1A1333C9 8GB x 2 (Corsair) DDR3 at 1333ghz 9-9-9-24 latency

When I get home from work I'll get a screenshot for you as well!

Oh I also forgot to say that I've upgraded to my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

 

+rep

This news will make many people happy.

 

I confirm that the m4 works fine. I rebuilt my laptop a few weeks ago, didnt put on the intel rst drivers and not had any issues at all.

 

Sorry to put an older thread but I felt it was importantish.

I experienced my first boot up hang up on the windows logo today. I have probably booted close to 100 times without any errors.

My configuration is Intel 320 SSD, seagate 750gb drive in optical, windows 7 pro, and intel rst driver installed.

 

I know that this is for an SSD related issues thread, but I have just gotten my hands on a Momentus xt 750 gb hard drive, fully reinstalled windows 7 OS, and am continually having freezing issues on COLD BOOT, a restart of the system by hard shutting done via the power button yields no issues when continually rebooting there after, any one can lead me in the right direction ?

MANY THANKS

PS: Hard drive is much faster just driving me insane with cold boot related freezing issue

 

This I PM I sent to Dell-bill_B. The link is to this thread. Lets hope!!!


Sent by me about one month ago:

Bill_B please help a few people here.
I have Bios 05, OCZ Firmware 2.15, everything runs ok SATA 6 Gbps speeds and very stable, no Intel RST, only Intel latest Chipset for 6 mobile boards.
My system hangs right before Win7 (64) Home Premium animation logo. 30 times in a row the same thing happens, maybe a Bios update could fix this?
Btw. I know 2 more people having exactly the same problem with identical laptops.
Please start helping us and we will test/give you feedback happily and within a few hours.

Reply the day after.

Originally Posted by Dell-Bill_B
Is there an active thread with this discussion taking place?


One month after (today Dec 18)

Please Dell help us. Some people have real issues with SSDs.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...are-m14x/alienware-m14x/alie...-affected.html (link to this thread)

Sincerely c69k

 

Yeah, while I wish you good luck, Dell really doesn't give a **** about us. They've got our money and now they've moved on to the next sucker. I've tried contacting them a few times to no avail...

 

Nice to see you around. I think Dell needs a bit of information (feedback) from as many people as possible, that is the only way to make them think as customers (how would I feel about DELL if I had these issues, even though I work at DELL an have no such issues).

Custom90gtx lol, lets please try again !!!

 

any updates on this???

 

It's not so much that we don't care. It's more like our warranty and support apply to hardware we sold or qualified for that system. I will escalate your issues to engineering, but don't be surprised if the reply comes back, "Why are you escalating issues with third party hardware?"

If a hardware vendor wants their hardware to work with our PC, frankly the onus is on them to make it work. We cannot possibly account for every piece of aftermarket hardware working correctly on our systems. We try our best, but we simply can't partner with every vendor on every model of every piece of hardware on the open market.

If you bought an aftermarket power door locks kit for your Civic that didn't work, would you expect Honda to troubleshoot it and provide a fix, or would you go back to the store you bought it and ask for a refund?

 

We are not asking you to troubleshoot 3rd party items. The SSDs are not the problem it is the Motherboard and BIOS. I didn't use a second hand motherboard this is the one that came with my computer.

My your anology I didn't replace the power door kit I replaced the door handle and while it should have no effect on the locks it some how is.

 

Maybe not the greatest analogy. Apologies. But the point remains: we qualified drives for this system, and we offered them for sale. If you are using an unqualified drive, we may not be able to help, but I will escalate and see what happens. Often times, even though it's third party hardware, they will try to make it work. Will let you know what I hear back.

 

Dell-Bill_B, THANX for your mail.

In my opinion it is all about business. If start-ups with SSDs work flawless, people will buy Alienware, especially those with SSDs in mind. Who does not want an aftermarket SSD today, which is most of the time better and cheaper? People will buy M14X from Dell (1000EUR) but the SSD not (300EUR). Result? Dell gets 1000 EUR. I do believe that the adjustment to Alienware Bios is not a difficult thing to do, provided that Dell has experience and specialists.

I picture such Bios to be adjusted for SSD discoverability at boot.

Start-up problems are being experienced with SSDs that use ANY controller and SATA II and SATA III.

It IS Dell Bios which can fix it. Who else can I contact?

Please Dell, understand, that people LOVE Alienware for what it is.
Now, my next system will be what? Who knows. It could be a simple fix in the Bios by Dell. I understand, however, that internal official channels within a big company are a bit rusty.

I worked for IBM and Deloitte and believe me having things done took sometimes some extra effort to make some people more flexible in thinking (incl. me).

Dell will listen to you I hope.

 

So odd, I noticed tonight well trying to install SQL that almost everytime I was doing a bunch of Windows Updates and then restarted it would hang on the Windows logo.

It seemed to almost cause it to occur 85% of the time.

Eventually through struggling got it installed and fully updated.

 

People who buy civic or similar car because it is fun and relatively fast in its league, and most importantly the ability to improve its potential by modifiying the car because there are so many parts out there they can replace to improve an already fun car. We have the same thought when we bought Alienware too, who would rather buy a computer product with very little flexibility. The market is so competitive out there, we as customers can simply choose another company next time. If Dell wanna talk business tell them that retaining loyal customers and word of mouth are very important in terms of marketing. Alienware is not Mercedes targeting corporate mid age people, Alienware is Japanese motor company targeting youngsters who wants to have fun and modify their car.

 

Give me a break. You mean your PC doesn't work with PC hardware. Dell's lack of interest and uncanny ability to point their finger in every direction but their own has left a sour taste in my mouth. I typically buy 5 dell laptops a year and next year, that number will probably go to 0. Not a big loss to dell by any means, but I'd rather give my money to a company who actually believes in customer service.

 

How is it a lack of interest? I replied to the thread and said I would escalate and post back. No one is pointing fingers at anyone specifically. I'm setting expectations here. Not every piece of third party hardware works with our systems, and we cannot be held responsible for all of that. No one has said we will NOT make your SSD work. I just said, more or less, if making it work requires a lot of engineering investment, that expense MIGHT have to be covered by the vendor who sold you the drive.