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Go to SolutionXPS 8700, reinstall Windows 10
I'm helping a friend with this computer he just received. It is probably 5 years old. The computer crashed and I'm not sure what happened. It was running fine.
This computer has two disk drives.
1. 32Gb m.2
2. 2Tb HDD
The 32Gb is not initialized (per disk manager) so i'm not sure if Win 10 was installed on this drive. I did find Win 10 on the HDD but not a user folder.
How was this computer configured from Dell? Is 32Gb enough to run Win 10 or is that drive used for something else?
Thanks.
Darryl
1145
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Posted September 16th, 2021 14:00
Regardless of the old motherboard-slot's exact name and capabilities ...
the SSD inside it is obsolete.
this slot in a desktop is obsolete-tech and was depreciated long ago ... in favor of using inexpensive (still industry-standard) 2.5 inch SATA-3/600 SSD.
Don't really have time to debate this. Just wanted this thread to be helpful to OP and others that might search and read it later.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
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0
Posted September 16th, 2021 14:00
@Tesla1856 the XPS 8700 SSD is NOT M2 its MSATA.
Totally different Socket as well as physical size.
Please Click "Accept as Solution" button on any post that answers your question best.
https://www.amazon.com/Cablecc-Combo-Adapter-Converter-Enclosure/dp/B07DVCNLLT/
1087
0
Posted September 17th, 2021 15:00
The technology is now obsolete, only old Dell users may have used it.
It works mostly like modern optane technology but Unlike optane it was software caching tech,
That m.2 SATA would be used to configure as a caching drive to make computer faster
Download IRST drivers from Dell and you will be able to configure it.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000179433/how-to-install-windows-onto-a-system-with-msata
1081
0
Posted September 17th, 2021 16:00
@XPS_Man Its NOT optane and ITS NOT M2 its MSATA.
MSATA Drives can be up to 1TB and there were models like the one I pictured that were 512 meg samsung OEM that came from dell.
@Tesla1856 its not a debate its fact.
JHRG5 256 Gig msata SSD
GVHN2 512 GIG PM851 msata SSD
MSATA NOT M2 NVME
Tesla1856
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17987 Posts
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71608 Points
1151
1
Posted September 16th, 2021 13:00
Back then, normal-sized SSDs were still expensive.
That baby 32gb SSD was likely setup using Intel's (rather lame) Intel-RST caching technology. Also, pretty sure that M.2 slot is only SATA-3/600 capable. Personally, I would just remove that little SSD. Now-days, there is usually little reason to use a (old tech) SATA-based-M.2-Slot in a desktop.
Clean install Windows-10 (only ONE drive connected).
You could made existing spinning-platter HDD as C-Drive. I guess to that to make sure machine even works.
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R7-M-2-NVMe-bootable-options/m-p/6073081/highlight/true#M3401
But actually, that HDD is it pretty slow and likely old (and getting ready to fail). Machine itself is also kinda slow. If you must use that old HDD, be sure it's SMART-status is good.
Personally, I would instead drop in a famous-maker (well-reviewed) 2.5inch SATA-3/600 SSD and make it C-Drive. It will then boot and load programs 3-5 times faster.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.