3 Posts
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1404
May 5th, 2022 08:00
AIO 5400 second hard drive
I recently replaced my hard drive due to failure but realize now I should have used a SSD instead. Can you add a second drive to an AIO? When I replaced the original, which was less than 1 year old, I don't recall seeing a second slot.
Thanks
Bob
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RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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May 5th, 2022 11:00
The specs say you can install one 2.5" HDD plus one M.2 2230 NVME SSD. Doesn't look like there's enough space to install an M.2280 SSD. Instructions to install the SSD are here.
Before you do the SSD installation, be sure to check the SATA Operation setting in BIOS setup. If it's set to RAID, you should reconfigure Windows to use AHCI before you install the SSD.
There's a specific procedure to reconfigure Windows to use AHCI, so just don't change the BIOS setting without following the procedure. Otherwise you'll have booting issues.
You can then use cloning software like Macrium Reflect (free) to clone the HDD onto the SSD. If the new SSD is larger capacity than your HDD, you'll need to know how to expand the size of the C: partition on the SSD to use the extra space, which varies with the cloning software used.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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May 5th, 2022 12:00
You're welcome.
IMO, a combo of SSD and HDD would be better. Frequent read/writes, like with data, can shorten the life of an SSD, while you probably won't install/update apps too often on the SSD. So the HDD is better for routine storage.
You can tell Windows to move default folders onto the HDD after you clone the OS onto the SSD. And many apps can be installed directly on the HDD, rather than on the SSD (C:). You will have to uninstall them from Windows on the C: drive and then reinstall them, directing the installations on the HDD (D) drive.
Or the at least, most apps can be set to save their temp files and output directly on the HDD, to cut down on R/W to the SSD. Browsers write 100s of MB of data during every session so better to store it on the HDD
Beside, you already have a new HDD, so why not keep using it...?
BTW: How much space is used on your HDD for Windows and apps (not counting personal files) now? If it's not a lot, you might consider an SSD less than 1T, but probably not less than 512 GB, obviously depending on your needs, price/GB etc.
(I can't type or spell today!)
Schulr
3 Posts
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May 5th, 2022 12:00
Thanks Ron, this is perfect. I searched for this on Dell but came up empty, guess you need to know where to look. Wonder if I should just go with one 1T SSD or do a combination using the SSD for applications and the HDD for storage?
Bob
Schulr
3 Posts
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May 5th, 2022 12:00
Currently using 259 of 913 so plenty of room.
Bob