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How to Enable Caching on mSata SSD for Alienware Laptops?

Summary: This article will guide you to setup your mSata SSD on Windows to be on Caching mode.

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.
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Symptoms

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Cause

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Resolution


How to Enable Caching on mSata SSD for Alienware Laptops?		 SLN131651_en_US__11327056520179.img_Header
Article Summary:

 
 
Note: Bookmark this article as restarts of the computer are recommended during the process to help resolve issues.

Table of Contents:

1. Applies for:

2. What is happening?

 

 

Applies for:

 

Alienware M14x R2

Alienware M17x R4

Alienware M18x R2

Alienware 14

Alienware 17

Alienware 18

 

 

What is happening?

 

 

 

Reinstalling Windows

1. Ensure Sata mode is set to RAID in BIOS

2. Go to RAID BIOS and disable accelerate option for SSD (Only if HDDs are not detected while Operating System Reinstall) (Use Ctrl+I)

3. Initiate Operating System Reinstall - For How to Reinstall the Operating System on an Alienware System, please refer to this link.

4. Install all the drivers including Intel Rapid Storage Software

 

 

After Windows Reinstall

  1. Run the Intel RST software through the All Programs menu or the task bar icon.
  2. Click Enable acceleration under either the Status or Accelerate menu.

    SLN131651_en_US__31342551072651.1

 

  1. Select the SSD to be used as a cache device.
  2. Select the size from the SSD to be allocated for the cache memory.

 

Note: Any remaining space on the SSD may be used for data storage using the simple data single-disk RAID 0 volume that is automatically created.

 

  1. Select the drive (or RAID volume) to be accelerated. It is highly recommended to accelerate the system volume or system disk for maximum performance.
  2. Select the acceleration mode. By default, Enhanced mode is selected.

    SLN131651_en_US__41342551107152.2

 

Note:
  • Enhanced mode: Acceleration is optimized for data protection.
  • Maximized mode: Acceleration is optimized for input/output performance.

 

 

  1. Click OK. The page refreshes and reports the new acceleration configuration in the Acceleration View. Your system is now successfully configured with the Intel Smart Response Technology.

Once this is done the SDD drive will not be visible in Windows.

 

The Alienware Support Team

 
 

Affected Products

Alienware 14, Alienware 17, ALIENWARE M14X R2, Alienware M17x R4, ALIENWARE M18X R2
Article Properties
Article Number: 000144559
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 11 Jul 2023
Version:  5
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