How To Install Windows 7 On Msata SSD?

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Kallakix2015

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May 18, 2015
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Found out my laptop had an MSATA slot, so I thought I'd buy an Msata SSD rather than a normal SSD. Installed it, tried to install windows, it said it wasn't a bootable device. Removed the HDD that was originally installed. Windows 7 was then able to install on the msata ssd.

restarted the PC, now I can't boot into the Msata device and there are no boot options or storage options to change in the bios. The bios also freezes CONSTANTLY and only stops breifly if I unplug the laptop, hold the power button and turn it back on.

How can I use this msata ssd for the OS and have it working? Close to smashing the laptop and buying a new one. Complete joke how you need to do so much to install this type of storage.
 
Solution
JohnnyLucky
Problem solved - The Dell Special Edition laptop has a 32GB mSATA SSD that is used in conjunction with Intel Smart Response technology. The 32GB mSATA ssd is configured as a cache for the hard disk drive. It was never meant to be used as a typical primary boot drive. Simply replacing the original ssd with a new ssd will not work.

I suggest you contact Dell support for help. Dell and other pc companies are notorious for providing insufficient product information.
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JohnnyLucky

JohnnyLucky

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May 30, 2007
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What is the brand and model number of your laptop?

OOPS! I made a mistake. I am growing old disgracefully and I get things mixed. I am used to answering questions about the newer M.2 ssd's which are replacing mSATA ssd's. The new M.2 ssd's have several variations. The older mSATA ssd's do not. My bad!
 
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Kallakix2015

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May 18, 2015
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The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 17r 7720
The Msata is Samsung 850 EVO
Now I can't even re install Windows on the normal HDD, it installs all the files then says it cannot be installed. Even when the msata isn't installed.

Now the screen stays black when you power it up.
 
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JohnnyLucky

JohnnyLucky

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Problem solved - The Dell Special Edition laptop has a 32GB mSATA SSD that is used in conjunction with Intel Smart Response technology. The 32GB mSATA ssd is configured as a cache for the hard disk drive. It was never meant to be used as a typical primary boot drive. Simply replacing the original ssd with a new ssd will not work.

I suggest you contact Dell support for help. Dell and other pc companies are notorious for providing insufficient product information.
 
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Solution
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Kallakix2015

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May 18, 2015
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So you're saying there is no way to run the OS from the msata? I already installed Windows 7 on it and ran it for like an hour. The problem is I can't get back to it because there is no boot option to do so.
 
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JohnnyLucky

JohnnyLucky

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You can install and run an operating system on an mSATA ssd. However, you would have to be able to access the motherboard's system BIOS. Once you have access you would have to disable Intel Smart Response to eliminate the ssd cache; select the mSATA ssd as the primary boot device; and make sure ACHI mode is enabled. Your comments indicate some BIOS options are missing. That's why you need to contact Dell support.
 
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Kallakix2015

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I read some articles about using those settings. None of them are useful now because the PC won't display anything. I turn it on and I get a black screen and nothing else. Tried turning it off and holding the power button and taking out the motherboard battery and putting it back in, no luck. Why would it suddenly do this?
 
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Kallakix2015

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If I let the PC boot up it goes to a menu asking which device to boot to. It does not display the msata device. There is a legacy boot menu, a uefi boot menu and a other options menu. They display things like: removable device, cd/dvd,network, windows boot manager, network boot, setup,diagnostics,change boot mode settings.
 
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JohnnyLucky

JohnnyLucky

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According to specs and technical reviews the 32GB mSATA ssd is an ssd cache for the hard disk drive. The operating system and other items are all installed on the hard disk drive. It is very similar to the Seagate solid state hybrid drives. However, the Seagate version has both the cache ssd and the hard disk drive in one enclosure. Your Dell laptop has them separate. No telling how Dell has their laptop version configured.

Just read you most recent comment. Looks like you can access BIOS. Is that correct?
 
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