How to Install SSD on Alienware M17x R3

This instruction set is specifically written for Alienware laptop model M17x R3. If you have similar laptop models, such as M17x R2, or M18x R1, this instruction set can also be referenced because the general methods are all the same except for some minor differences in the internal structure.

Background Information
Alienware laptop is a relatively high-performance gaming laptop, usually includes advanced CPU and video card. Many people know that in order to make the computer run programs or games faster and more fluent, they need to have a good CPU and video card. However, many of them ignore the importance of a faster hard disk which can boost the speed of daily operation. SSD (Solid-State Drive) is a data storage device using integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently, while regular mechanical HDD (Hard Disk Drive) uses magnetic disks to persistently store data. Because the mechanical hard disk uses a motor to spin the disks and uses a magnetic read head to find and read data, the speed can be slow since the spinning and data-seeking process is done mechanically and can take a while. An SSD has no mechanical component and all data access are completed electronically, so it can have much faster writing and reading speed. Use an SSD as the system disk will have the most obvious speed improvement on daily operation than changing other hardware components. Also, because SSD doesnt have mechanical structure, shaking would not damage the SSD but will damage an HDD. With the storing balancing algorithm of SSD, the lifetime of SSD can sometimes be longer than HDD. Alienware laptops is designed as advanced gaming and professional laptops, so its highly customizable. The internal structure design of Alienware allows changing of CPU, memory, video card, and hard disk while other regular laptops do not have such availabilities. Also, most of Alienware laptops has more than one hard drive space, so adding an SSD becomes possible. Although there is an option to pre-install an SSD when you purchase an Alienware laptop, it does not have a good performance-price ratio. So, its better to buy a better SSD and install it by yourself. Since SSD installation is very simple, almost every computer user can perform this task if carefully following the instructions.

Before Working Inside Your Laptop

1. 2. 3. 4. Save and close all open files, and turn off your laptop. After the laptop shuts down, disconnect it from the electrical outlet. Disconnect all cable, such as power and USB cables, from your laptop. Disconnect all peripherals from your laptop.

You must disconnect all power sources before opening the laptop back cover. Internal components may contain dangerous high voltage when power sources are still connected.

To avoid damaging the laptop surface, ensure that the work surface is flat and clean, or place a soft cloth under your laptop.

After Working Inside Your Laptop

1. Make sure all screws are tightened and replace the cover and battery. 2. Connect any cables, peripherals, and other parts you removed before working on your laptop. 3. Connect your laptop to the electrical outlet. 4. Turn on your laptop and do the necessary installations after the SSD is installed.

Tools and Materials

SSD small cross screwdriver small container (optional)

Instructions
1
Removing the back cover 1. 2. Place your laptop upside-down. Push the battery snap to the right-most position as indicated in the picture. The battery will partially jump out. Remove the battery.

3.

4.

Unscrew the two screws indicated in the picture. Note: Be careful and not to lose removed screws. Putting removed screws in a small container is recommended.

5.

Using two hands, slide the back panel in the indicated direction. After the back panel is out of position, remove it.

6.

Before touching anything inside your laptop, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of a desktop computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate static electricity, which could harm internal components.

Removing support

the

hard

drive
There are two hard disk slot in your laptop. HDD 0 slot contains the pre-installed hard disk. HDD 1 slot should be empty. Note: If you have two hard disks installed, you have to replace any one of them with the SSD, since there are only two hard disk slots. 1. Unscrew the three screws indicated in the picture. Note: These screws cannot be removed from the metal support. Simply loosen them. 2. Pull up the black plastic piece on the right side to remove the metal support.

HDD 1 HDD 0

Installing SSD into the support 1. Insert the port convertor (which can be found inside the empty metal support) onto your SSD connection port. Note: If you are replacing a hard disk with the SSD, just move the port convertor from the original hard disk to the SSD.

Do not touch the metal pins of the port on SSD and metal contacts inside the laptop. It may cause oxidization which can result in bad connections.

2.

Place the SSD inside the metal support with the top side up and the connection port at the same direction as the black plastic piece, as indicated in the picture. Tighten four screws on both sides, as indicated in the picture. (These screws should come with your SSD.)

3.

Installing position

SSD

into

original 1. Insert the SSD into the original hard drive slot. Make sure that the connection port on the SSD correctly inserted into the slot on the laptop. Tighten the three screws on the metal support, indicated on the picture.

2.

Closing the back cover

Leaving stray or loose screws inside your laptop may severely damage your computer. Please double check your laptop before you close the back cover.

1.

Place the back cover slightly above the original position, and slide it downwards into position.

2.

Tighten the two screws indicated in the picture.

3.

Insert the bottom of the battery first, and then push the upper part into the battery slot, as indicated in the picture. Connect all cables and peripherals as described in After Working Inside Your Laptop section.

4.

Change the BIOS setting

1. 2.

Power on your laptop. In the first booting screen as shown in the picture, press F2 to enter BIOS settings.

3.

Use right arrow key to switch to Advanced tab. Use up and down arrow keys to locate the SATA Operation setting, press Enter, and choose AHCI.

4.

5.

Use right arrow key to switch to Boot tab. Press Enter to choose an item and move it up or down with arrow keys. Make sure the boot priority of your SSD is at the first position. Note: If your SSD is installed in the HDD 1 slot, the Second Hard Drive is your SSD. Otherwise, the Hard Drive is your SSD.

6.

7.

Press F10 to save your changes and restart your laptop. Now you can install your operating system. Note: Reinstall the operating system is recommended. Although there is a way to copy the

operating system from your original hard drive to your SSD, it is very complicated and not covered in this instruction set. However, the instructions can be found on the internet.

Trouble-Shooting
Q: I cannot slide up the back panel, what should I do? A: If the back panel is too tight to be removed, press your palms on the upper part of the back panel to increase the resistance, and then try to slide it upwards with fingers resisted against the back edge of your laptop. Q: There is no port convertor inside the empty metal support, what should I do? A: You cannot install the SSD without the port convertor. If there is no port convertor inside the metal support (unlikely), you should purchase one on the Internet or in a computer shop. Q: I have only 3 screws to fix my SSD into the metal support, what should I do? A: It is fine to use only 3 screws. However, if there are 2 or less screws, it can work but it is not recommended. Q: If I poured some water into my laptop when I am working, what should I do? A: First, try to pour out the water from your laptop. Next, leave your laptop with the back panel removed at least one day to make sure remaining water is vaporized. You can use hair dryer to help vaporizing the water. Do not put on the battery if there are still water inside your laptop. It can cause permanent damage of your laptop. Q: The laptop cannot recognize my SSD and it does not show up in BIOS settings, what should I do? A: Make sure you install your SSD properly, fully discharge the power in the motherboard (this can be done by pressing the power button when the battery and power cord is not connected to your laptop), and try again. If this problem still exists, please check if your SSD have some problem or if the hard drive port inside your laptop is broken. Contact the manufacture of the SSD or custom service of Alienware if it is the hardware problem.