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m17 R3, help trying to expand storage with a PCIe M2 2280 SSD
I only have very basic computer skills. I was trying to expand storage with a PCIe M2 2280 SSD on my Alienware M17 R3. I found a video on how to open the back of the laptop and plug it in, so I did that, closed it back up and turned the computer on. I assumed this process would be like plugging in an external drive…I could just access it from windows like normal. But on boot up, an Alienware supportassist white screen came up. It says:
Warning message
real time clock error
system CMOS checksum bad
time-of-day not set - please run SETUP program
I wasn’t expecting this and I’m not sure what to do. I really don’t want to screw up my computer. I did back it all up a couple weeks ago but really hoping I don’t have to do any restoring…is this a simple thing to work through? The options on buttons on the bottom of the page read
continue BIOS Setup Diagnostics
crimsom
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August 15th, 2023 05:50
Hi @Talonofday thank you for sharing update.
At Alienware splash screen, press and hold down the F2 key to enter BIOS/UEFI menu. On Main tab look for acknowledgement that the additional SSD is included on drive list and thereby confirm it has been installed correctly.
Then enter windows operating system and open Disk Management to see that additional SSD wants letter designation. Right click on Disk 1 to get menu, click on format and then assign drive letter to the SSD partition so that Windows can open the additional SSD.
How to manage storage devices on Windows 11 | Windows Central.
(edited)
crimsom
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August 14th, 2023 11:40
Hi @Talonofday welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Support for Alienware m17 R3 (5/21/2020) Battery says RTC Coin-cell battery is Not supported.
When Base cover removed, please undertake Hard Reset (Flea power release) before changing hardware. Be careful not to damage battery cable during Disconnect and Connect process.
(edited)
Talonofday
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August 15th, 2023 04:30
@crimsom ok. I did disconnect the cable before plugging/screwing in the new PCIe storage drive, and after a little digging around I found out my above problem happened because of that battery disconnect/reconnect, not because of the drive. So I got that sorted out by updating the clock in BIOS and now my computer boots up normally. But how do I access the new drive I installed to use the 2tb of memory on it? It’s not showing up alongside my C drive
Talonofday
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August 15th, 2023 14:58
@crimsom
THANK YOU so much! There were a couple extra steps I had to take but your directions got me far enough along, and after a few minutes I could access my new drive. Thanks again, I probably never would have figured it out without your helpful advice!
crimsom
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August 15th, 2023 14:59
Hi @Talonofday if you are getting the requested information that provides solution, please accept solution. You can nominate more than one solution in your thread.
Please share an update on progress, so that other Dell community users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.