Post Install - Samsung 840 EVO SSD

SSD and OS reinstall notes

1.  Installation of SSD hardware was easy (I followed the instructions of a YouTube video on my iPad while installing the SSD).

2. I found that I could NOT use my restore image that I created when I first received the laptop.  Apparently, it will not install onto the SSD because my image is bigger than the drive itself?  The image is stored on an 8GB USB drive, but throws an error every time I try to use it to install the backed up factory install onto the SSD.  I used AlienRespawn to create it (but never tested it).  I used the factory restore CD that came with the R3 instead (very slow process compared to installing from a USB drive).

3.  I had an issue getting the SSD drive to show in the Windows drive install option section of the OS install.  I installed the SSD in the Drive 1 slot, but initially it wasn’t showing at all.  I went into the BIOS and switched the drive setup from RAID to AHCI, then tried again and the SSD drive showed as Drive #1.

4.  Later, after the install finished, I installed the SSD management software.  I followed it’s optimization instructions and saw that it stated that the drive setup should be set to RAID.  When I set it back to RAID, the install would no longer boot up.  I even tried letting Windows repair it, but it could not fix the issue.  Granted, there’s a BIOS prompt when you attempt to switch between the two settings...it states that switching could make the system not boot back up.  Next time, I won’t follow Samsung’s recommendations, at least regarding this setting.  I’m reinstalling Windows 7 again as I type this.

5.  I noticed that with a fresh install of Windows 7, none of the damned network devices work...at all.  It looks like I might have to download them onto a USB drive from another system to get them installed onto the R3.  [This was actually rather easy to fix.  I just went to Dell’s site (they have a list of M17x software, listed by revision #, that listed the specific driver I needed for the ethernet hardware)...I downloaded it to a spare USB drive, transferred it to the R3, then installed it...I instantly had internet access.]

6.  I’m using the following URL for instructions (other FAQs and help guides for the R3 did not work):  http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-17-m17x/562751-m17xr3-clean-install-ssd-instructions-recommendations.html  

This is the first one that worked.

7.  In hindsight, I could’ve bought Window 8.1 from Microcenter for $100 (but I was trying to cut costs). I do have a license for Windows 8 (and 8.1 was/is a free upgrade if you've v8 already), but I'd have had to download Win 8 again and I didn't want to spend any more time downloading, as I spent a great bit of time downloading all the damned security updates/patches for Win 7.

Some URLs of interest with this install:

• http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/04/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&docid=536193
• http://www.qca.qualcomm.com/resources/driverdownloads/
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/330-system-protection-turn-off.html

Alienware: Upgraded to Windows 8 Pro

Last month, I saw several posted articles mentioning MS selling upgrades for Windows 8 Pro for $40 ($39.99, actually).  I bit.  Why?  Because it was a good price for an upgrade and if I found I didn't like Windows 8, I could always go back to Windows 7 with little money spent.

The install wasn't bad and wasn't the best either.  Since this was an upgrade and it is typically best to use a fresh install, I opted to restore my system back to factory configuration.  I did not want any issues with programs that I'd installed in Windows 7 not working in Windows 8.  The factory configuration wouldn't negate this but the factory configuration doesn't have as much installed either.  So, I whipped out my special flash drive with the copy of the factory image and installed.  I then immediately installed Windows 8 from flash drive as well (to speed up the install).  It was rather cumbersome and long, even via flash drive, but it installed flawlessly.

Afterward, I checked to see what wasn't running against the listing of what Windows 8 had flagged that might not work.  Alien Respawn wasn't working.  I'll have to get a Win8-specific copy of that and install it.  Everything else worked.

I then installed my free copy of Windows 8 Media Center.  When I entered the product key, it conflicted with the product key for Windows 8 Pro, which I thought was odd.  Many people were complaining of the same issue and there were some solutions but none worked for me.  Apparently, the system didn't like being upgraded then immediately having Media Center added.  So, I had to call the automated Microsoft number listed in System Information (I believe...I'll check that and correct myself if I'm wrong).  I called the number and followed the instructions.  I had to key in 8 or 9 five-digit codes via phone keypad, then the automated system read back 8 or 9 five-digit codes that I keyed into the config window.  After I did that, the system properly registered!

I did NOT like Metro.  I know there's a way to remove it, but I'm now getting used to it and I think it is oddly intuitive.  I'll keep using it for now.  What I also like is the Windows 7 shell...I can fall back to that when I feel the need.  Chrome only works within the Windows 7 shell, which I don't like, but it's not a huge deal.

The system appears to be quite a deal quicker, but I've never benchmarked Windows 7 on this system and haven't benchmarked Windows 8 either.  Note that I'm not using an SSD (I'm running two 750GB drives in RAID0).  SSD will not help me all that much...it's not going to make my gameplay any faster (only upload faster, but really, that's nota huge deal for me).  One day, I'll go the SSD route, but I want lots of drive space and SSDs aren't cutting it in that department yet.

So, I'm keeping Windows 8 for now.  I may even reinstall it just to get a pristine image of it captured onto flash drive (backup copy).

Miscellaneous...

So, I'm finding out that the M17xR3 is bulky enough to where I don't want to carry it around from one part of the house to another, so I've still been using my Macbook (when I'm lazy).  Been using it a lot to pay bills, IRC (##slackware), and web browse.

So, one day, I unplug it and go to another room to help my wife with a project and notice that the battery icon is still showing 100% after not being plugged into AC power for about an hour.  I click the icon and it states that I'll be needing another battery soon.  COME ON!  First I run into the limited hard drive space, now I'm going to need a new battery?  GRRR...  Might be time to retire it.  Granted, this battery has been stellar since the original was replaced...it IS about time for a replacement, I guess.  And, it could do with more than 80GB of drive space.  So, it looks like I might be refreshing both sometime this year.  Maybe July/August, if I can hold off.

About the M17xR3.  I've decided to subscribe to Carbonite as a backup utility.  I was using Dropbox but didn't want to pay for the extra space (using the free account...and no, I'm not going to hawk Dropbox to my friends to get extra space).  Carbonite has no limit on backup spacing, but is tied to one PC.  It also won't backup the OS or applications, but will backup everything else.  I purchase the HomePlus version of Carbonite and it has a drive mirror option, but requires a dedicated local drive to mirror the drive...BUT...I'm using two drives in RAID0 format (stock configuration), which HomePlus won't support.

I'm also using DriveImage XML and plan to perform a whole disk backup (as soon as I figure out where to store the image...it should be pretty big).  I will also need to back up the restore partition.  I do have a clean image backed up to USB drive (using Alien Respawn), but it is a copy of the drive without most of my apps, which is a good start, I guess.

I've been gaming a lot from my dining and living room (via wifi connection), playing L4D2 and BF3.  The Killer wireless card is awesome, as I've noticed NO lag or connectivity issues.  I'm loving the fact that Killer prioritizes the packets associated with gaming...that may be why I'm seeing no connection issues.  I do notice that it takes BF3 longer to load (which I was attributing to my RAID0 setup), but most of my clanmates are experiencing the same issue, and they're using standalone hard disks.  The load issue wasn't present before the last BF3 patch, so I'm thinking the issue is related to that.

I'm having issues with using my iMac as a second screen now.  Not a real issue, but for some reason when I try to get BF3 to show on the 27" screen, Windows 7 keeps placing the gaming window on the M17x monitor instead.  I didn't have this problem initially, so I wonder why W7 is doing this.

I began to use my G930 wireless headset with the M17x and it is awesome.  I still need to get the headset set up so that W7 detects that it is in use and uses the headset by default when it is plugged into the Alienware system (I have to manually go into the sound settings to enable it).  I don't remember having this issue with my Turtlebay headset, but want to use my G930 since it sounds soooo much better than the Turtlebay.