XPS 8930, 4TB NVMe SSD upgrade

It is possible that the SSD is not compatible but a 4TB should work. Have you tried disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS. Also pull the CMOS battery for 15 minutes and then reinstalling the battery.

Thanks, JOcean! Secure boot is off since I installed a Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe M.2 2280SS Gaming SSD. Works great just wanted higher speed and more space. The Lexar NM790 M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 NVMe SSD at 4TB seems mostly compatible, reliable, and fast, with a 4.8 rating on Amazon. I will try to see if removing the battery makes a difference but it is time-consuming removing the GPU to be able to switch between my working Windows 11 Pro installation on the Crucial SSD and the clone I made to the Lexar SSD (using Macrium Reflect). I also have an internal HD that I do not use - should I also clone the working OS from the old SSD to the HD so I do not have to switch SSDs to have a bootable version?

Thanks, Tom 

Did you image old SSD onto new one or did you do a clean OS install on new SSD? If you imaged the new SSD, what software did you use?

How did you switch from RAID to AHCI? Did you only change BIOS without reconfiguring Windows?  If you're imaging old SSD onto new one, you have to do this before you swap SSDs and then create a new image that's saved on external HDD (or on internal HDD, if there's enough free space to hold the image file)

1. At desktop, open Cmd, run as administrator.
2. Copy-paste this command, which will start Windows in Safe Mode the next time you reboot: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal and press Enter
3. Restart the computer and enter BIOS setup.
4. Change the SATA Operation from RAID to AHCI.
5. Save the change and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot in Safe Mode.
6. Open Cmd again, as in step #1.
7. Copy-paste this command, which will start Windows in Normal Mode the next time you reboot: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot and press Enter
8. Reboot and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled.
9. Create new image and save on external HDD
10. Swap in new SSD and copy the new "AHCI" image onto it. 
11. Reboot normally and PC should boot from new SSD

BTW: Why don't you make life easier? Just remove the GPU and use one of onboard Intel Graphics ports (DP or HDMI) to get this upgrade done. And when it finally boots from new SSD and everything works properly using onboard Intel Graphics, now it's time to reinstall the GPU.

Thanks so much RoHe and Merry Christmas! I have done all of the above besides switching the image as my HD is too small for a full copy (only 1Tb). I messed around a lot trying to make a clean install on Windows 11 Pro on the HD, which didn’t work out due to UEFI/ Legacy issues on the old motherboard. I think I am done trying to upgrade my SSD as I almost lost my only functional OS in all the action - all together probably 30 hours). Most likely wait to upgrade until I get a new system but might give it another try when I receive the bargain 4TB HD I ordered…

Thanks again and Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Sincerely, Tom

You can disable the Legacy Option ROM in BIOS setup.  That's what I did on my XPS 8930.  That way you can enable Secure Boot and TPM for some extra security protection.

Depending on your imaging software, it should compress the image of the boot drive down to a small(er) size. So if you set it to use max compression (which takes longer to run), are you saying the image still can't fit on your internal HDD? 

Guess you could an external USB-C>NVME enclosure for the new 4T SSD and do the imaging that way. Then swap out the internal 2T SSD for the new one. And eventually put the 2T in the enclosure, wipe it, and use it for backup storage. 

Happy holidays to you too...

Thanks again RoHe. That is how I copied the old SSD over. Still didn’t boot. Maybe it’s the Lexar. I will try to return it and if I get a good deal try the Samsung 990 Pro or WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X?

Sincerely, Tom

Yes, but you you change BIOS and Windows to use ACHI correctly, before imaging onto new SSD? And I'd disable Legacy ROM options too.  

Samsung warns their SSDs and software don't work well with BIOS set to RAID. So you 'll want to make the changes before imaging the 990 Pro, and probably an WD SSD too.

BTW, I don't think you ever told us what imaging software you used. Could that be part of your problem?

I used Macrium Reflect but as I read it might cause problems, I redid it using O&O DiscImage. Unfortunately, there’s no cloning software for Lexar. I cloned my OS from my HD to my old Crucial 2TB SSD using the Crucial OEM Acronis True Image Software and it worked well. There is one for WD and Samsung seems to have its own cloning software.

Also to make sure before I buy another 4 TB SSD and go through all this again, is it even possible with my system:

and also what updated Intel IRST drivers should I download that fit my hardware? If you can, please provide me with the download link.

Thanks so much in advance!

Tom

If the Macrium image didn't work, there could something wrong with BIOS settings and/or with Windows settings. BTW: What version of BIOS is installed on this PC? 

I've never had any issues using Macrium to restore a backup image (saved on external USB SSD) on my XPS 8930, which I've done on multiple occasions with Legacy ROM options disabled and both Secure Boot and TPM enabled. (Legacy has to be disabled to enable Secure Boot and TPM.)

Don't think you answered my question about changing BIOS and Windows to use AHCI. Did you do it the way I posted above? And did you do it that way before you created the image you put on the new SSD?  You probably should disable Legacy ROM options too, before creating another new image.

You can go to the Intel Download Center to download and  install their Support Assistant. Launch it to scan your PC and offer updates for your hardware, which should include iRST, if any are needed.

@RoHe​ Funny that you mentioned Macrium. I tried to backup and restore Windows 11 with MRF and could not get it work at all. And yet it worked flawlessly with Windows 10.

Thanks RoHe and JOcean,

sounds as if you are hopeful it should work on my system? Should I get the Samsung 990 Pro or the WD_Black SN850X to try again?

Tom

@twassmer​ They are both quality SSD and with very similar pricing. Also they both have cloning/imaging software available on their web pages. I have had both and find the performance to be very similar. I am a little biased towards WD as the Samsung service in Canada was very troublesome though it may be better now. Just make sure to purchase from a retailer that will allow returns if you have problems such as Amazon for example. Hopefully @RoHe can offer his opinion as well.

Only have experience with Samsung portable 1.5T USB SSD, and it's been good...

Macrium failing...read this recent thread by @fireberd, a Rockstar member here, who posted on Windows Eleven Forum that Macrium Reflect X fails to clone SSDs on his PC with Win 11 24H2...

So if you used version X, you're not alone.  FWIW, I only use Macrium Reflect 7.xxxx/Win 10 on my PCs. Maybe you can find/try an older version before switching to different brand SSD.

Maybe fireberd can chime in here now...

@RoHe I'm convinced its a Macrium Reflect X issue.  

I looked at several other programs that do cloning and they all required purchasing to get that feature.