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Dell XPS 15 (9530) Flawed mSATA Setup
I have had my new XPS 15 for 4 days now, and overall it is a very impressive machine. I got the mid-range one (with 1TB HDD). However, I would like to let the community know about some issues I am having, and to post publicly that this particular machine is shipping with a flawed setup.
My model comes with 16GB system memory. It has a 32GB mSATA drive intended to be used for Intel Rapid Start and Intel Rapid Storage. The mSATA is partitioned with 8GB for Intel Rapid Start and 22GB for Intel Rapid Storage. However, Intel clearly documents that you need a partition equal in size to the system memory for Intel Rapid Start to work. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.intel.com%2Fsupport%2Fmotherboards%2Fdesktop%2Fsb%2Frapid_start_technology_user_guide_for_uefi1.pdf&ei=m1OHUpzGAdPpkAfE8YGIDg&usg=AFQjCNH7Rh6iQN6hSR0Ry3oBF6kGmxgjaA&sig2=e--yKMT7hoApFUI_7kMyEA This makes sense because what it is doing is writing an image of system memory to the SSD.
Consequently, Intel Rapid Start does not work on the midrange XPS 15 9530.. I noticed this because it starts slower than my old Inspiron 15 with its Crucial SSD.
Unfortunately, one cannot fix this by repartitioning the mSATA. If you dedicate 16GB on the mSATA to Intel Rapid Start, only 14GB remain for Intel Rapid Storage, which requires a minimum of 18.6 GB to work.
Dell needs to ship this model with a larger mSATA for both technologies to work.
Now I really would not care personally, as my intention was to recycle my 512GB Crucial M4 as a boot drive by performing a clean Windows install on it. This would allow me to dedicate the entire mSATA to Intel Rapid Start. Unfortunately, this system does not ship with Windows Install disks. And I can't seem to order one as Dell's system does not recognize my Service Tag. I've tried to use the factory reinstallation disks I made to reinstall on my SSD, but they won't let me reinstall to a smaller drive. I could destroy the final 6.96 recovery partition, shrink the main partition, and then clone the drive with Clonezilla, but my intention was to keep the original disk as backup, and the SSD would not be aligned properly.
Another issue I had was the McAfee firewall that came preinstalled prevented me from setting a second network to private. I uninstalled this after failing to find a solution. Windows Defender seems to be adequate antivirus, and its much easier to set the 2nd network to private with Windows firewall.
Overall I am very happy with my new computer, but I don't think I'll be really happy until I can switch back to SSD. I may solve this by ordering a 1TB Samsung EVO, but that puts me up to the price point of the top XPS 15 9530, and I didn't want to go there. And I would still have the alignment issue if I clone the drive. So hopefully my service tag will get recognized soon allowing me to order Windows reinstallation disks.
wmarsh
53 Posts
1
November 28th, 2013 06:00
Well, it took awhile, but I fixed this problem. And I did it without having to reinstall Windows!
1) I disabled the cache in the Intel RST utility. I then removed the HDD, attached it and an SSD to a desktop, and used Clonezilla to clone the SSD.
Put the SSD in the XPS 15; boots fine and fast.
2) Switching to AHCI mode (necessary to optimize SSD and remove Intel RST:
Open an elevated command prompt and run the following command to enable SafeMode boot:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
Restart the computer and boot to the system BIOS.
Change the ATA Drive setting from Intel Rapid Storage (RAID) to AHCI Mode
Click Yes to the Warning about the detected mode change on the embedded ATA controller.
The system will boot normally in SafeMode.
Open an elevated command prompt and run the following command to remove the the SafeMode boot option:
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
Restart the computer and boot normally. You will notice mSATA is not recognized at all.
3) Recognizing the mSATA
Windows-I, open Control Panel, Hardware, Device Manager
Select IDE controller, Intel SATA Controller, Update Driver Software
Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
Pick the 2nd driver -- the Microsoft Intel(R) 8 Series SATA AHCI Controller - 8C03
Reboot. On reboot, the mSATA will be recognized.
4) Repartition mSATA
Windows Key, diskmgmt.msc. You can now see and delete the Intel Rapid Storage cache partition.
Windows Key, cmd, Open as Administrator
Diskpart
select disk 1
create partition efi size=16384
set id=D3BFE2DE-3DAF-11DF-BA40-E3A556D89593
exit exit
Windows Key, diskmgmt.msc. You can now partition the remaining space on mSATA if you want.
You can now completely uninstall Intel Rapid Storage (unneeded with SSD).
You can put a bigger mSATA into system and use it for storage. Probably can configure it for dual
wmarsh
53 Posts
0
November 28th, 2013 07:00
Well, I figured out how to fix this problem. And without having to reinstall Windows!
1) Open Intel Rapid Storage, disable cache for HDD
2) Removed HDD. Attached it and SSD to a desktop. Cloned drive to SSD with Clonezilla. You can do this with a USB adapter, but its slower. Install SSD in XPS 15. Boots normally
3) Switch to AHCI mode
Open an elevated command prompt and run the following command to enable SafeMode boot: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal Restart the computer and boot to the system BIOS (F2). Change the ATA Drive setting from Intel Rapid Storage to AHCI Mode Click Yes to the Warning about the detected mode change on the embedded ATA controller. You don't loose data. The system will boot normally in SafeMode. Open an elevated command prompt and run the following command to remove the the SafeMode boot option: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot Restart the computer and boot normally, the system will boot normally. However, the mSATA driver is no longer seen.
4) Recognizing mSATA in AHCI mode.
Windows-I, open Control Panel, Hardware, Device Manager Select IDE controller, Intel SATA Controller, Update Driver Software Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer Pick the 2nd driver -- the Microsoft Intel(R) 8 Series SATA AHCI Controller - 8C03 Reboot. On reboot, the mSATA will be recognized.
5) Repartition mSATA and fix Intel Rapid Start. Windows Key, diskmgmt.msc. You can now see and delete the Intel Rapid Storage cache partition. Windows Key, cmd, Open as Administrator Diskpart select disk 1 create partition efi size=16384 set id=D3BFE2DE-3DAF-11DF-BA40-E3A556D89593 exit exit Windows Key, diskmgmt.msc. You can now partition the remaining space on mSATA if you want. Intel Rapid Start now works.
You can now completely uninstall Intel Rapid Storage (unneeded with SSD). You can put a bigger mSATA into system and use it for storage.
wmarsh
53 Posts
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June 12th, 2014 09:00
ddeschildre, yes that will work, but you probably would need to do a clean OS install onto your SSD.
If you get a 1TB Evo mSATA, thats big enough to clone the OS without having to go through a clean install. I know that works as thats what I have in mine now.
M.S.A.
16 Posts
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October 31st, 2014 11:00
Careful - watch the form factor: SATA vs mSATA!
If you want to replace the 32GB mSATA SSD that came with the laptop, you will need an mSATA drive. That one is MZ-MTE500BW (vs "MZ-7..."). The mSATA's dimensions are a lot smaller. The SATA won't fit where the 32GB mSATA sits.
I am watching the mSATA, it seems like B&H Video in New York has the best price just short of $260, with free express shipping.
Re. laptop vs desktop versions - I think the laptop "KIT" comes with some additional tools (hardware, cable or software - not sure) to copy data from an existing drive to the new one. That's not shown in the image though, so you probably should Google it or check out Samsung's website. The drive itself should be identical.
.
wmarsh
53 Posts
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November 29th, 2013 04:00
DAVID from Malt
1 Message
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November 29th, 2013 04:00
I am torn between XPS 9530 1TB HDD + 32 GB or XPS 9530 512 GB SSD.
The "easiest" option is to go for the higher specification model but even this has cons:
1. In my country, the higher specced model costs €400 more than the mid-range one and even the latter is already at a very hefty price.
2. Even if one makes a sacrifice and somehow coughs up the additional cash, the top-end model contains mSATA not SATA. The former is probably more efficient than the latter.
3. Going for the mid-range model seems sensible because SDD is new tachnology. As time goes by prices are falling and capacity increasing. In (say) 2 or 3 years' time an SDD might have a capacity of (say) 1 - 2 TB at the (high) prices that an SDD drive of (say) 480 GB costs today. So one can then remove the 1TB HDD and replace.
But some help is asked for from existing users:
1. Has the fix for the flawed setup been tried? Does it work? Is it very complicated? Out of question for an amateur like me but I can ask a technician.
2. After the fix, any idea of booting time in seconds please?
Thanks in advance.
David
mw292
17 Posts
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December 12th, 2013 13:00
Hey Bill,
My names Matt and I am a more than capable PC user but I must be honest and say I am nowhere near an expert. I have had my XPS (mid range model) for a day and I am absolutely in love. That was until I read the above? Are you telling me there is something fundamentally wrong with my machine? and if so could you explain what it is in the simplest of terms (the majority of the above I am ashamed to say really confused me). If you could help me to understand the problem that would be great as then I can take the measures that you have to resolve the issue.
Thanks for your time.
Seasons greetings Matt
wmarsh
53 Posts
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December 12th, 2013 14:00
mw292
17 Posts
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December 12th, 2013 15:00
I genuinely couldn't imagine this machine starting any faster lol? Are you 110% that the only way I can resolve this issue is by buying a new SATA? I'm curious as to whether a computer guy like you went for the mid range model in the first place? lol. I can't even imagine how much better that machine would perform lol.
Regards
wmarsh
53 Posts
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December 12th, 2013 15:00
Well, I went for the mid range because I already owned an SSD -- it was cheaper to swap my existing SSD for the HDD than to buy the SSD model.
And currently the performance of and capacity of SATA3 SSD exceed that of mSATA SSD -- although Samsung announced a 1TB mSATA SSD this week.
Yes it does start faster with Intel Rapid Start vs. starting off the HDD. But its only a few seconds and you are happy, so don't sweat it.
It starts faster (like instantly) off my Samsung EVO SATA3 SSD than with Intel Rapid Start off the Micron mSATA SSD it comes with.
mw292
17 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 06:00
So there is no way in re partitioning the Msata so that it is perhaps partitioned 16 for rapid start and 16 for rapid storage? Have you spoken to Dell directly? Surely they should owe us some sort of compensation?
Matt
mw292
17 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 07:00
Thanks for your help so far, I realise it must be frustrating talking to me. So am I right in saying that you don't have a HDD in your machine anymore? Similarly how much is the Samung Evo SSDs that you talk about? And could you by any chance link me to the correct screwdriver and talk me through the process of swapping the Msata (Sorry to be a pain but I have never dared open up a laptop on my own).
Any help really s grateful
Regards Matt
wmarsh
53 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 07:00
Rapid Storage requires a minimum of 18.6 GB -- it won't work with a 16GB partition. IMHO its more important than Rapid Start.
My suspicion is they intended the mid-range to have 8GB memory -- the setup would work with less RAM -- and they increased the RAM at the last minute and overlooked this issue. The extra RAM is worth more than a bigger mSATA, so I am not complaining that they owe me anything. Its a great laptop.
You could downgrade your RAM to 8GB -- that would fix the Rapid Start issue -- but I wouldn't.
No I have not spoken with them -- the time it would take me to fight that issue thru Tech Support would cost me alot more than a $70 64 GB mSATA from Amazon or Newegg.
It actually pretty easy to swap out the mSATA if you want to -- the only hard part is getting a #7 Torx screwdriver so you can open the case. The mSATA lives right above the battery -- the service manual on the Dell website gives clear directions.
I have not swapped my mSATA -- I was originally going to recycle my Crucial M4 SSD in the hard disk bay -- unfortunately my SSD wiped out again. Crucial is replacing it again, but that drive is getting relegated to non-critical use. (My experience is a 60% sudden failure rate at about 6 months.) I got the new Samsung EVO SSD instead -- its amazingly fast -- about twice as fast as the Crucal drive or the mSATA drive we have.
Samsung just came out with a 1 TB mSATA -- if I want more storage I'll swap out the mSATA for one of these.
mw292
17 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 15:00
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/solid-state-drive-ssd/crucial-msata-m4-solid-state-drive-64-gb/17249518-a.html?ectrans=1&gclid=CO-HvvanrrsCFW_MtAod-AgAZg
Is this the right kinda thing to buy Bill?
Regards Matt
wmarsh
53 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 19:00
Yes that would work. I've had bad luck with Crucial SSD though so I would get a Samsung one. Although Crucial does have a good reputation, and they have honored their warranty. For screwdriver you need a Torx T7 for the outside screws. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ex-Pro-Piece-Torx-Screwdriver-ergonomically/dp/B001IBONEO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1386989737&sr=8-4&keywords=torx+%237
The 2 screws under the back label (which folds) are Phillips. You then pry the lid off. The mSATA is under a ribbon cable just above the battery. You unplug the ribbon cable. Then there are 2 phillips screws holding the mSATA in place.
Remember to turn off Intel Rapid Storage before swapping the mSATA or you will screw up the cache and risk disk corruption.