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17 R4, installing new SSD and would like clean install
I have my 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD and am ready to make a clean install of windows (I got a virus a few weeks ago and would prefer to just start clean instead of clone). I still have a few uncertainties after past assistance from other questions, reviewing other threads here and and watching Alienware YouTube videos.
First: Can I use my existing SSD or HD drive to 'back up' and store my old items while I install my new SSD drive? (the recommendations I have seen were for either cloning or using a USB to back up the system). What I would like to do is to save all the 'stuff' I want to keep on one of the current drives and then move them around after I have the clean install. If this is safe, then is there a preferred drive to use for this?
Second: I currently have my SSD in the SSD 3 slot and the SSD 2 is open. Which slot is preferred for putting my new clean windows install and being the boot drive?
Thanks for the information and please feel free to suggest anything else you think I should know before undertaking this. I am pretty novice here and have been taking videos of the information I am getting and saving it in case I make a mess of things and can't boot the computer back up (it has happened in the past).
crimsom
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June 20th, 2023 08:00
Hi @triciagalexnder it seems that the Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 operating system might have been corrupted. Please undertake the following:-
Create Restore point. How to Create a System Restore Point on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (howtogeek.com).
Run System File Checker Utility. Run sfc/scannow to replace corrupted system files with original default files. How to Run System File Checker in Microsoft Windows | Dell US.
Repair Windows System Image. Using DISM, repair corrupt Windows component store. How to use DISM command tool to repair Windows 10 image | Windows Central.
JOcean
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June 19th, 2023 20:00
Before answering, what is the exact model number of your laptop?
crimsom
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June 19th, 2023 21:00
Hi @triciagalexnder welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Please share Model and Revision number, and operating system of your laptop, and the storage capacity of the new 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. Thank you.
triciagalexnder
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June 19th, 2023 22:00
Ok, that was strange because I had put in my service code and attached the computer information with the system. Don't know where it went.
It is an Alienware 17 R4
The SSD is the one you recommended crimson with 2T.
I kept researching and decided it was supposed to be the slot 2 most likely and I went ahead and put it in. Things were going smooth until I needed to change the boot sequence and I could find NO WAY to do this while in UEFI. I had to change to legacy to get boot options. I was finally able to get the clean windows install on the new SSD but now I am not sure what to do about being stuck in legacy mode and what will happen if I go back to UEFI. Will it default back to the old HDD? Should I reformat the old HDD to use as storage and will that make it default the SSD to boot? I don't get this on the boot options. I have never had a computer that didn't give me boot options in bios other then windows boot.
If I was wrong about the slot 2, please let me know. I was trying to use all the information I have been given so far.
triciagalexnder
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June 19th, 2023 23:00
Thanks for the reply. The original 'service tag' was put in the box that asks for it and then uploads your computer information. I have used it in the past and it worked well. Not sure what happened this time but it doesn't really matter... LOL
I apprecaite you telling me how to get the boot to change. This has been very frustrating as I have always been able to just change the boot list in BIOS.
I notice you put your SSD in slot 3. Is that the preferred slot? I read that different slots do have different functions on different computers. I couldn't find anything specific to my computer so I don't know if the slot 2 was the right choice.
crimsom
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June 19th, 2023 23:00
Hi @triciagalexnder thank you for sharing updates of the existing Solved: Re: Uprgrading my Alienware 17 R4 - Dell Community.
For your protection, the users' Forum Code of Conduct - Dell Community does not allow posting your private System Service Tag or Express Service Code in this public forum. This text was removed by the Dell moderator and they usually say why text was removed.
Having created another OS (C:) boot drive, the original OS (C:) boot drive should be removed so that the boot sequence can automatically update.
My Alienware 17 R5 boot mode is set to UEFI: secure boot ON, with UEFI options:
1. Windows Boot Manager
2. onboard NIC (IPV4)
3. onboard NIC (IPV6)
Having updated Windows Boot Manager, the original original OS (C:) boot drive can be installed as DATA (D:) drive.
crimsom
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June 19th, 2023 23:00
Hi @triciagalexnder thank you for sharing update. The generic Alienware 17 R4 with Base cover removed image is not my Alienware 17 R5. The Alienware 17 R4 (9/30/2016) M.2 2280 NVMe SSD boot drive can be installed in the SSD-2 or the SSD-3 slot.
triciagalexnder
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June 20th, 2023 06:00
triciagalexnder
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June 20th, 2023 06:00
Well, that didn't go over so well for me.
I am currently running the OS that has been running on my old SSD card AND a clean install of windows on my new SSD (Samsung 990Pro).
I can access both of these drives and work in both OS when using Legacy to do so. I don't want to do this long term as I want the faster and better functioning set up of UEFI.
I did as you suggested above and disconnected both the old SSD and the HD. I then rebooted and it went into Support Assist and then told me there was no bootable devices. I went back into BIOS and the "windows Boot Manager" is no longer an option in the Boot priorities (only the Onboard NIC (IPV4 and IPV6).
When I reconnected the old SSD, it boots fine and shows the Windows Boot Manage option again. Obviously I have missed something with setting up the new SSD but I can not find it.
I used one of the Dell Alienware tutorial videos for the install of the new SSD and clean windows and all seems to be working fine there. The only issue now is when I try to get the system to USE this new windows install and new SSD to boot.
crimsom
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June 20th, 2023 07:00
Hi @triciagalexnder thank you for sharing update.
Not sure about what has been undertaken. Check that OS (C:) SSD has GPT partition format (not MBR) then enable BIOS boot list option UEFI. Remove original OS (C:) boot drive and install only the new OS (C:) boot drive so that the Windows Boot Manager automatically switches to boot from the new SSD.
At Alienware logo splash screen, press and hold down F12 key to confirm Windows Boot Manager exists, then press ESC key so that new OS (C:) boot drive enters the Windows operating system.
triciagalexnder
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June 20th, 2023 08:00
All of that has been done exactly as you stated. I did have to switch to legacy in order to access and load the clean install of windows. After installing the new windows and running Del assist to install all drivers, I removed the old SSD, and went into bios, resetting to you EFI. Windows boot manager is no longer showing as an option when the new SSD is the only option available.
installing the new windows and running Del assist to install all drivers, I removed the old SSD, and went into bios, resetting to UEFI. Windows boot manager is no longer showing as an option when the new SSD is the only option available.
I do not know what may be missing that is causing windows boot manager to vanish every time the old SSD is removed. The new SSD is formatted as you stated, I also used the Dell Alienware tutorial and followed it step-by-step. Everything is on the new SSD, I can access the Internet and run everything fine. The only current issue is that windows boot manager is not showing as an option in bios, to allow booting through the new SSD.
triciagalexnder
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June 20th, 2023 09:00
Will do, I will get back after all of that is completed later today. Thank you so much for all of your assistance!
triciagalexnder
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June 20th, 2023 20:00
thanks, all is up and running now!!! Sure appreciate you!