Dell XPS 8700 - mSATA - installation problem

[Jpschiavo]

So I just installed a crucial mx200 mSATA 500 gb SSD mini, and upon turning my computer on (hard drive was disconnected) it said "boot drive not detected" I'm wondering if my bios settings are wrong? I updated to A11... And I was forced to plug my hard drive back in for the time being so I could use my PC, but I would love to get the SSD working as I just spent 170$ on it lol... Pls help! Thank you!

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

If you have not installed an operating system on the mSATA SSD, it's obvious your Dell isn't going to boot if you disconnect the hard drive.

You have to install an operating system on the SSD first if you want to boot from it.

 

[Jpschiavo]

If you have not installed an operating system on the mSATA SSD, it's obvious your Dell isn't going to boot if you disconnect the hard drive.

You have to install an operating system on the SSD first if you want to boot from it.

So I was trying this, and for some reason when it says "hit any key to continue" (once my windows CD is in the DVD drive) it just displays the same message, I guess I'm wondering what my bios settings need to be? if i have something in the wrong order (as far as the drives go) because i did try to boot windows, it just wouldn't connect to the SSD and load up

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Right, if the mSATA SSD is not listed as a Windows install location, it seems to me that it cannot be used as a boot device, so Windows Setup won't let you install Windows on it.

 

[Jpschiavo]

Right, if the mSATA SSD is not listed as a Windows install location, it seems to me that it cannot be used as a boot device, so Windows Setup won't let you install Windows on it.

how do i list it as a windows install location - first time doing this, thank you!!

 

[Kisianik]

First, it sounds strange but save your DATA to external source as the next instructions will wipe your hard drive.

When done so follow http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19516805

Please report any problems or succes.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

"how do i list it as a windows install location"

You can't, Windows Setup decides which drives are suitable for a Windows installation.

If it's not listed but you are sure it should be, you first have to fix the problem of why it isn't listed (if it's fixable), then it will appear in the list.