Flex Bay SSD Boot Configuration on Precision 7865 Tower Causes Windows to Crash

Summary: The following article provides information about an operating system issue on the Precision 7865 Tower. The computer stops responding or fails with an on-screen error when a flex bay SSD RAID 1 configuration is used. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

SSD RAID 1 flex bay configuration causes Windows to fail or stop responding

 

Dell Precision 7865 Tower fixed workstation owners may experience the operating system stops responding or crashes using a RAID 1 configuration of Solid-State Drives (SSDs).

The issue is reported when the computer is configured with external SSD flex bays in a RAID 1 configuration. The Windows operating system is seen to stop responding during use or to restart to an on-screen error.

Note: Engineers have found that running the Final Fantasy XV benchmark software immediately shows the fail conditions.

Cause

This section is not applicable to this article.

Resolution

There are three sets of resolution steps to stop the Windows operating system issues. They are listed in order from the easiest to the most difficult to do:

|

Warning: Dell Technologies recommends disconnecting any external devices before updating the BIOS. (Devices such as external hard drives, printers, scanners, and so on.)
Note: To learn more about updating the BIOS on a Dell computer, see the Dell knowledge base article: BIOS Update Guide
Note: To install the BIOS, your user account must have administrator privileges.

  1. Browse to Precision 7865 Tower Drivers & Downloads page.

  2. Select the Operating System that is installed on the Dell computer.

  3. Under Category, select BIOS.

  4. Locate the latest Dell Precision 7865 System BIOS driver. (Version 1.1.0 or newer.)

  5. Click Download and save the file to your computer.

  6. Open File Explorer and browse to the download folder where the downloaded file is saved.

  7. Double-click the downloaded BIOS setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

  8. The computer boots back into the operating system once the update is complete.

  9. Run the third-party benchmark took and ensure that the problem is resolved.

  1. Turn the computer off.

  2. Turn the computer on.

  3. Press the F2 key when you see the Dell splash screen appears, to enter the BIOS setup screens.

  4. Click on Power down the left-hand side menu, to go to the Power screen.

  5. On the right-hand side of the screen, select Disable under the ASPM section of the page.

  6. Save and exit the BIOS.

  7. The computer boots back into the operating system.

  8. Run the third-party benchmark took and ensure that the problem is resolved.

  1. Go to the Precision 7865 Tower Manuals and Documents page on our Support Site:

    Precision 7865 Tower Documentation

  2. Open the Precision 7865 Tower Service Manual from the list of documentation on that page.

  3. Use the step-by-step instructions in the Removing and Installing Components section of the manual to complete the following steps:

    1. Remove the SSD assembly's from the external flex bays on the front of the Tower.

    2. Remove the SSDs from the assembly tray's.

    3. Install the SSDs to the onboard ports on the Towers motherboard.

  4. You can use the Precision 7865 Tower RAID Guide from the documentation page to reconfigure your drives.

  5. Once the computer is back up and running, run the third-party benchmark tool and ensure that the problem is resolved.

If you have tried all these methods and the fault continues, you should contact Dell Technical Support.


Back to Top

Affected Products

Precision 7865 Tower
Article Properties
Article Number: 000212796
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2025
Version:  5
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.