SSD installation questions

Hi everyone,

I have read probably every thread on this in these forums at this point and have a few questions. I have never done this before!

I purchased the M14x and should receive it within the next two weeks. In the meantime I plan to buy a Crucial m4. I have watched some videos on how to install it and that looks relatively easy. The part that I am confused about is what to do afterward. How do I get the new hard drive to start up as the new Alienware computer if that makes sense.

A video by Crucial says that you can get a data transfer kit, but I read on here that we do not really need that. If you do not need that, how do you go about tranferring the old hd to the new ssd? Does the computer come with a full install Windows disc?

Also, I read some threads which talk about having to update directories and such. This may be beyond me so if this is the case, please let me know.

Thanks so much

 

easy make a respawn USB and then after you make it reboot and hit F12 boot from usb and alienrespawn. But DONT choose the restore to factory state just pick restore and then it will see a backup file choose that and it will do the same as the restore to factory on any size drive. If you try to go the other route it will give you 1 of 2 errors like "Not enough disk space" or a nasty little "error 0x400110020000100A" Let me know how it turns out for you.

 

You can do a Complete PC Backup from your HDD onto something else then restore it from your SSD (install Windows first). Or just install Windows and transfer stuff over

 

I'd just do a clean install via the included windows disc after you install the drive. Sometimes ssd's will have issues when you copy an image over of an operating system, like alignment or other issues. Though it would be a bare version of windows without the alienware tweaks, you can tweak them by yourself via...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Though I wouldn't really advise it, a lot of people do have success with imaging/cloning the OS, try and use acronis system backup.

If you're doing the clean install method and having trouble finding native alienware wallpapers for your screen, I can Upload mine for you.

 

Ok, got the computer and the SSD should be here tomorrow. So, I just want to double check with you all my plan. This will be the first time I ever open a computer. So, I have 2 choices.

1. I have a Crucial transfer kit coming with my SSD. This looks simple but I think it would create an image or clone and might run into some problems.

2. Put in drive without the transfer kit. Start computer and put in windows disc. Follow directions (hopefully) from the disc to install. Find links around this site to alienware command center and other stuff from link above. Reinstall WoW and other things (ugh).

Am I going in the right direction here? I'm assuming most would recommend I do the second one and I want to make sure I am planning this right. (Talk to me like I am an alien. I have no idea what respawn USB means hahaha).

...or I could get my dad to do it but he lives kind of far away..

 

I went with option 2. It does not take long to reinstall, plus you ensure ou have the latest drivers as you downloaded them for yourself from the dell support site.

I didnt even bother with the alienware customisation.

Just make sure you install drivers methodically.

Ie intel chipset first, video, sound, usb 3.0, atheros WIRED, wireless. etc etc

couple of tricky ones to watch. Freefall sensor and webcam.

I think webcam can be downloaded through windows update, the only real customisation one you need is command centre.

As far as option 1 goes, it involves a usb memory stick and backing up / creating an image of your current set up. Booting from it and restoring it to a new drive.

Can be the easiest, and also you can check the alignment afterwards. I did download a little program that would check it................the only input you need it to see if the number it supplies is divisible by 4096.

Can I remember what it was called, nah course not lol

 

Thank you so very much. I just finished doing it all and everything seems to be running well. The only problem that I ran in to is that once I installed the Windows I tried to go online but was unable to do so. I figured out that I first had to install the driver for my Killer card. I used a USB drive and downloaded it from dell.com (on my Mac) and installed it here and then the rest went good! So far so good. Time to start installing WoW.

I don't know what rep is but I'd like to give each of you rep

 

lol, you just click on the little scales under our pictures glad its all working

 

Is there any reason to install freefall sensor driver if he's switching to SSD?

 

Nah Doubt it, just depends whether you want the little exclamation mark
Seems pretty pointless..........