SSD driver

Hi Eddiealien,

Intel Rapid Start Technology (IRST) is used to accelerate a conventional magnetic disk by using a SSD drive as a cache. However, as you have removed the conventional drive and are going to use the SSD as main drive you may turn off the IRST feature in BIOS and re-install the OS in AHCI mode. You may follow the steps below to change the SATA operation :

• Power on the computer
• Press F2 button on Alienware logo
• Highlight Advanced -> SATA Operation
• Press Enter and change SATA Operation from RAID to AHCI 
• Highlight Exit and press Enter on Exit Saving Changes to save changes and restart the system
• Press F12 button to boot from Windows 8 re-installation DVD and follow the onscreen prompts to re-install the OS 
• Download and install the drivers from Dell Support site Here -> Enter the Service Tag -> Select the Operating System -> Download/install the drivers in correct sequence as mentioned Here.

Please reply with the findings. I would be glad to help you.

Thank u for reply. But all these things I have already done. RAID TO AHCI. But the problem is still there. Is there something wrong with my drivers? I download them from the link you offered. Is there any order for installing all the drivers? Thanks

Hi Eddiealien,

Yes, the drivers need to be installed in a specific order as given Here.

Alienware M14XR2 is equipped with nVidia Optimus technology. Here is the correct way to update the video drivers on Optimus enabled systems.

I would also suggest you to run the diagnostics on system hardware  by following the steps below :

• Power on the system
• Press F12 on Alienware logo
• Highlight Diagnostics and press Enter
• Note down error message (if any) and continue tests

Please share the findings. Will take it further from there.