Sounds like you know what you are doing. You can let us know what the exact steps are.

If you were to Image Backup the main drive (you need to do that anyway) with a tool like Acronis, you might be able to bare metal restore the old drive to the newly created RAID-0 drive.

Oh, and I suggest you just install a real (128-256gb) SSD as C: (OS and main programs) and use the existing 1tb for large games and data. Do you really need 2tb storage on a laptop? My idea will be faster and lower maintenance. If your battery dies while writing to a RAID-0, you might lose all data on both drives.

Tesla's idea makes a lot of sense. However, since you have the 32GB msata there already, I'm guessing you are using it to load the OS.

If you're planning to use both HDD's merely as storage. There isn't really a need to build a Raid 0. But that's my personal opinion.

If you still would like to build the raid, please format both drives and use this guide to build it.

from all your suggestions i may go with a 800mb SSD boot drive and keep 1TB mech HDD for storage. what you guys think about the effect of the 32gb msata drive with ssd drive... should i disable msata as it will become ineffective.

from all your suggestions i may go with a 800mb SSD boot drive and keep 1TB mech HDD for storage. what you guys think about the effect of the 32gb msata drive with ssd drive... should i disable msata as it will become ineffective.

from all your suggestions i may go with a 800mb SSD boot drive and keep 1TB mech HDD for storage. what you guys think about the effect of the 32gb msata drive with ssd drive... should i disable msata as it will become ineffective.

If it was me I would go with dual Intel SSD's in a RAID-0 configuration. That way you get the extended battery life, high disk performance and storage all in one. Even with a SSD and HDD that HDD is going to eat your battery life. Plus with Intel SSD's you can have trim support while using them in RAID-0. Then I would go and buy an external enclosure for your 1tb HDD and use it as a portable storage device.

There is no real risk of data loss on a laptop since it's powered by a battery. If power goes out it will switch to the battery and the system will save all data and power down if the battery gets too low. You can also adjust it in your power options if you want it to run a little longer or shut down a little sooner.

I would also do a fresh OS install and not from a backup copy. This of course means you need to get your hands on a copy of Windows if you do not have one. You can call Dell to get it if you don't already have one. Someday you're going to need it so however you decide to go with your drive setup still get the Windows disk.

My Alienware M17x R4 is coming with two 500gb HHD set in RAID configuration.  I want to install a samsung pro 840 SSD that I have and remove one of the 500gb HHD.  I am going to create a backup of my factory settings with an alienrespawn USB.

So, I am thinking that I will install the SSD, set the configuration to RAID and then boot my computer up using the USB alienrespawn and setting it to factory settings.  Is this the best way to achieve what I want.  Any comments/suggestions appreciated.

Also, would it be better to not set the SSD and HHD in RAID?  maybe use the SSD for OS and use the HHD as a storage?  I have heard that an SSD and HHD in RAID may not be as fast as just having the SSD as the primary drive and the HHD as a secondary storage drive. Thanks

The SSD (256GB) and the HDD (500GB) have different sizes and work at different speeds so building a Raid it's not a good option because of space and performance. Leave the SSD as a boot drive.

When installing an SSD it's best to clean install (1 | 2) the OS (Respawn can be installed as soon as you're done with the drivers) and leave the HDD as storage.

Thank you.

So I should clean install windows.  Then plug  in the USB and perform the respawn? How do I install the drivers? Are they on a disc that comes with my alienware?

Also, since the original HHDs were in RAID, will I need to do anything to the HHD (reformat?) or can I just leave it as it is?

Thanks for your help!

KillshotAK

Yes you are right a RAID configuration with the SSD and the HDD won't be fast enough than having the SSD as the primary drive, as you said before is better to have the SSD for OS and maybe some games and the HDD for storage.

Hey KillshotAK,

Since you won't have a Raid anymore you can change the SATA Operation to AHCI >> Boot from the Windows installation disk and clean install the OS on the SSD >> Install the different drivers >> Install AlienRespawn (follow these instructions) >> Inside Windows format the HDD in the Disk management to use it as storage and you're all set.

One last question do you have Windows 7 or 8 on your rig?

I can point you towards some useful articles to install the OS and the drivers.

Ok great thanks!

I will have windows 7 ultimate

Cool, this article will guide you through the Windows 7 installation. It even has a video tutorial. Use this other guide to find the different drivers for your rig, including the AW software.

First post.  Tried to find something close to my issue and this was the best I could find.

Received my new AlienWare m17x-R4.   It is configured with only one 512GB SSD.   I checked the BIOS and it is set up for RAID configuration.  Will this cause me any problems?  BIOS Version is A10. 

I appreciate your help and feedback.