msata 32gb for hard drive caching

What I need to know is what do I do after I install it into the machine.  I am looking for instructions  in detail as I am in unchartered  waters.I just got this Dell 8500 with windows 8, 2tb hard drive with 12g of memory. i7 ,when I ordered the computer I thought the 32gb cache drive came with it ,but I found out it did not , that is why I am having this problem.I ordered the 32gb cache drive from crucial it will be here tomorrow, I am thank full for all the help you can give me

Bob Moyer

Hi Robert Moyer,

Once the mSATA drive is installed on the system, go to the BIOS screen by restarting system, at the Dell logo keep tapping the F2 key. BIOS screen appears, click on ‘Advanced’ tab and then on ‘Onboard Device Configuration’ and change it to ‘Raid’ mode.
Next clean install the ‘Operating system’ and all the drivers. Once the installation is complete click on the link below to install ISRT (Dell Intel Rapid Storage Technology) software:
http://dell.to/Sd0qNn  

Step1. Run the Intel RST software through the All Programs menu or the task bar icon. 

  
Step2. Click Enable acceleration under either the Status or Accelerate menu.

      
         
Select the SSD to be used as a cache device.
Select the size from the SSD to be allocated for the cache memory.

Note: Any remaining space on the SSD may be used for data storage using the simple data single-disk RAID 0 volume that is automatically created.
Select the drive (or RAID volume) to be accelerated. It is highly recommended to accelerate the system volume or system disk for maximum performance.
Select the acceleration mode. By default, Enhanced mode is selected.
Note: Enhanced mode: Acceleration is optimized for data protection. 
Maximized mode: Acceleration is optimized for input/output performance.

 
Click OK. The page refreshes and reports the new acceleration configuration in the Acceleration View. Your system is now successfully configured with the Intel Smart Response Technology. 

I just bought this computer and I haven't even turned it on yet, and you are saying to do a clean install  of the windows 8 plus the drivers, I wouldn't know where to start, I think I will just send the computer back ,thank you anyway for your help

Robert Moyer

After thinking it over all night, I decided to give it a shot ,but you know the computer came with no installation disc, what should I do ask Dell for one??

Robert Moyer

Bob,

To the best of my knowledge, it is not necessary to reinstall the OS. But let me check with Dell-Chris M.

Regardless, I would contact tech support and see if you can order a Windows 8 disc. There's been some discussion about this, so I don't know if the disc is provided free or they will try to charge you. Supposedly the license is built into the BIOS, so there is no need to enter the key during installation.

Thank you ,John I appreciate you checking into that for me, I really do not know why they decided not to include the disc with the computer.something so important as that,that sure is a good way to turn people off...Your computer arrives and you open the box and there is your computer ,mouse and keyboard, nothing else no manuals nothing, what a letdown , I remember when we bought our xps420's we got leatherbound case with our manual and a little booklet with our express code,and a list of telephone numbers to get in touch with Dell personnel..

what next no mouse or keyboard....and shipped in a paper bag!!

One of the Rockstar guys confirmed that a reinstall is not required. I've asked for someone to point to a procedure, so I'll post that once I get something.

The OS disc issue has been a sore point with those of us that help in the forums as well. I find it a little annoying that the techies here on the forum recommend that you perform a clean installation, but provide no help getting you the disc.

Those directions above are pretty clear and I would just skip the install clean OS part. The only prerequisite I know of is that the BIOS has to be set to RAID in order to use a mSATA drive as a cache drive.

A clean install would not be difficult either as you have a pretty good helper with Osprey if there is no other way to accomplish this, might be the easy way to approach the install.

I think I found an easier way to do it.   Seems like you can skip all the partitioning and formatting of the mSATA SSD as the Intel SRT will do all that as it sets up the SSD. 

http://www.overclock.net/t/1227655/how-to-set-up-intel-smart-response-technology-ssd-caching

The trickiest part would be to get the XPS 8500 to start up in RAID mode with an existing OS.   The registry tweak here might be easier if you are not comfortable playing with the registry:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976