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XPS 8930, replace Optane with SSD for beginners
Hi all,
I have an XPS 8930 with 16GB Optane memory which holds my OS, and a 1TB HDD. I was noticing that a lot of programs are taking a long time to start up, so I was thinking I'd like to get an SSD to store my programs.
Unfortunately, I know absolutely nothing about computers. I understand that I could get a SATA SSD, although I have read that these are significantly slower than NVME M.2 SSDs.
My M.2 slot is currently taken up by the Optane memory, which is why I am keen to replace it with a larger SSD. Would this be possible? What are the steps that I would need to take to achieve this?
Like I said, I have never done anything like this before, and everything I have read so far is unintelligible to me. Please bear with me and treat me like I'm 5 years old.
Thanks so much for your time.
Vic384
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October 9th, 2021 11:00
@angus_101 Windows 10 is not on the Optane. The Optane acts as a cache for the HDD; the OS is on the HDD. I have not watched the videos, but basically, you need to disable the caching, replace the Optane with the new SSD, clone the HDD to the new SSD, disconnect the HDD when cloning is complete and then boot from the SSD.
redxps630
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October 9th, 2021 08:00
you can watch this video to see if that is something you are willing to take on. If so you need to purchase the ssd, remove optane from your 8930, install the ssd, then install Windows 10 on the ssd.
Samsung 970 Evo Pro Install on XPS 8930 Tower. - YouTube
angus_101
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October 9th, 2021 09:00
Thank you for sharing this video!
Would I need to transfer my copy of Windows 10 from the Optane to the SSD? If so, how would I do this?
Also, I don't know anything about BIOS - I understand I would need to do something with it to make everything work, but I don't know what exactly.
Thanks for replying!
redxps630
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October 9th, 2021 09:00
watch this video. XPS 8930 Complete Upgrade Part B | Replacing Optane with SSD Boot - YouTube
and this video
XPS 8930 Complete Upgrade Part C | From RAID to AHCI - YouTube
followed by
XPS 8930 Complete Upgrade Part D | Clone OS Boot from HDD to SSD - YouTube
If you do not understand right away watch multiple times and try to replicated the steps slowly.
angus_101
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October 9th, 2021 11:00
Thanks for replying, and sorry for my misunderstanding.
How would you clone the HDD and boot from the SSD?
angus_101
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October 9th, 2021 13:00
Ah ok, thank you! I feel much more confident about it now.
Last question: how would I reinitialize the HDD?
Vic384
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October 9th, 2021 13:00
@angus_101 Depending on the brand of SSD you purchase, some manufacturers provide cloning software via a free download. If they don't, you can use Macrium Reflect Free Edition. The general procedure is to install the cloning software, install the SSD, run the cloning software, and when cloning is completed disconnect the HDD, then boot from the SSD. If you do not disconnect the HDD, you will need to boot using F12 and select to boot from the SSD from the Boot Menu. If you wish to use the HDD for additional storage you will have to reinitialize the HDD, otherwise with the HDD installed you will always need to boot using F12 to boot from the SSD.
angus_101
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October 9th, 2021 14:00
Fantastic, thanks so much!
Vic384
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October 9th, 2021 14:00
@angus_101 I use the DiskPart command and this procedure: https://macrorit.com/partition-magic-manager/initialize-disk-gpt-mbr-from-cmd-diskpart.html
Be careful and use the 'List Disk' command to identify the HDD, and the 'Select Disk' command to select the HDD. Remember that your HDD is your backup, so after cloning make sure your SSD is working fully before you connect the HDD and reinitialize it.