Aurora R4, ALX HDD slots

Question

I have an Alienware Aurora R4 ALX which has 4 hard drives slots. Are these slots limited like capped to just using 1TB hardrives or can I use 2TB or even 4TB ? like Can I put a 4 TB hardrive in each slot and have 16 TB in total or put a 2TB So, I would have have 8TB in total or am I just limited to using just 4 TB in total ???

Stee - R4 ALX · Answer

The system came with Windows 7

r72019 · Answer

Also, all those requirements noted above by the prior poster are if you want to change your windows 7 boot (C:) drive, and upgrade it to a drive larger than 2TB.

Vanadiel · Answer

See this Microsoft article: Microsoft article

I am not sure what operating system these come with or what you are currently running, but if it supports GTP formatted HDD's you should be ok for size.

r72019 · Answer

The MBR file size cap is 2TB, not 1TB. So you're fine up to 2TB.

Over 2TB, you're still fine, you just have to use GPT when initializing a storage drive greater than 2TB. You can add GPT storage drives over 2TB to the R4 even if the boot drive is 1TB and MBR.

Vanadiel · Answer

The disk must be initialized by using GPT.
The system firmware must use UEFI.
The Windows version must be one of the following (64-bit only, but including all SKU editions):
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
The latest storage drivers from your storage controller manufacturer must be installed. For example, if your system uses an Intel storage controller set to RAID mode, make sure that you have the latest applicable drivers from the Intel support site

Would have to be 64 bit version of windows 7.

Vanadiel · Answer

That is correct. If you just want to add another drive without requiring to boot from it, you do not need UEFI support.

All the rest would still be correct.

It's just that if you have UEFI support you are less likely to run into unforeseen issues, since it's newer than legacy systems.

Alienware Desktops

Aurora R4, ALX HDD slots

Was this post helpful?