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MadPanther
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April 13th, 2014 15:00
XPS 8500 (UK) adding SSD
HI
I've got an XPS8500 with a 3TB hard disk, 32GB mATA SSD used as a cache and a 250GB hard disk.
I'm planning to add a 256GB SSD as the primary boot disk. My plan is as follows... is this the best way ?
Disconnect all existing drives except the 32GB SSD
Connect the new 256GB SSD
Install Windows 8 from the Dell recovery DVD's I was sent from Dell
Full Windows update
Once Windows is working, Connect 3TB drive and remove old windows ( format c: )
Reset the 32 GB SSD to be the cache for the 3TB, reconnect the 250GN hard disk
Will all that work ? is there an easier way ?
I'm happy to reinstall Windows from the DVD's as I'm assuming it will be better that trying to clone it and all the junk thats built up over the last few years..
Any other suggestions ?
Thanks :D
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MadPanther
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Posted April 17th, 2014 16:00
Thanks for the advice. I am planning on installing a mSATA and removing the existing one.
I have the Windows 8 recovery DVD from Dell, I assume I can use that to fresh install onto the SSD?
Thanks
Philip_Yip
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Posted April 17th, 2014 17:00
The Windows 8 Reinstallation DVD can be used for a clean install yes, follow my Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows for best results:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/
MadPanther
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Posted April 20th, 2014 14:00
Recovery failed to the SSD..
So I removed the nvidia GT640 video card and tried again. This time it worked.
Once I had everything up and running I re installed the card and now it's working fine
Thanks
Philip_Yip
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Posted April 21st, 2014 04:00
Great, thanks for posting your success although I'm not sure why removing the graphics card helped...

Philip_Yip
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Posted April 14th, 2014 18:00
I would recommend ditching the 30 GB mSATA SSD and installing a 256 GB mSATA SSD. The caching SSD is completely redundant if the OS is installed on a SSD 128 GB or superior and may even slow things down.
You will need to change the SATA Operation in the BIOS setup to AHCI see here:
This allows you to keep the 3 TB drive where it is and install more drives later. During Windows setup you can format the 3 TB drive or alternatively you can securely wipe it with DBAN if you want to be pedantic.
Follow A Clean Install of Windows for detailed instructions:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/
Windows 11 Installation Guide
Windows 7 Installation Guide