XSP 8950, M.2, no boot on front USB-C port

can you replace the Dell M.2 with the new M.2 and install it on motherboard?  

boot from USB C can be problematic

Dell M.2 ssd may be configured as RAID on (sata operation).  to test boot, remove Dell M.2 ssd completely, test boot from new M2. ssd installed in m.2 slot.

I will try that definitely update here, but I have guts feeling that I need physon 3500 micron drivers.....I have some thoughts as well, first I will try your action to be taken, greetings and warm rgds

If you didn't change BIOS from RAID to SATA/NVME, before you cloned the OEM SSD, Windows on the new SSD is still going to be looking for a RAID array, even if you put it in an internal M.2 slot.

You need change BIOS from RAID to SATA/NVME with only original SSD installed.  You have to do this the right way so you don't make PC unbootable:

1. 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 PC computer and enter BIOS setup by tapping F12 when you see the Dell screen.
4. Change SATA/NVME from RAID to SATA/NVME.
5. Save the change and exit setup. 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 next time you boot:
   bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot and press Enter
8. Reboot and Windows will automatically start with SATA/NVME drivers enabled.

Now you can install new SSD in 2nd M.2 slot on XPS 8950 motherboard and clone the original SSD onto it. When that's done, remove the original SSD and see if PC boots from new one. If you leave original SSD installed, Windows Boot Manager will always boot from that original SSD, unless you boot via the F12 boot menu. 

Assuming you can boot from new SSD, if you want to use old SSD for extra storage, reinstall it in an M.2 slot, but boot from new SSD via F12. Then use Windows Disk Management to initialize old SSD (ALL FILES DELETED!) so it can be used for routine storage.

BTW: If new SSD has capacity larger than original 500 GB SSD, you'll need to expand size of C: partition on new SSD during the cloning so it can use all the extra space, or it's all wasted. Make sure you know how to do that with whatever software you're using before starting the cloning process.

@RoHe , thank you. I have same nvme as shipped , I purchased from eBay, I did not have to do all these when I clone, but this new nvme's controller chip is physon 3500, sorta has higher throughput , that is where the drivers are not being in system, is giving the issue, I need to put drivers files inside system32 , drivers folders, I am looking those physon 3500 drivers ....I will update this chat, what I find, so, far, I am focusing on going to win11 24H2, I mean doing the upgrade, but I will let you know.... 24H2 is whole different ballgame, not like other upgrades....MS wanted everything to be super duper clean on its Kernel0, and that is where, it's insanely complicated

Is your intention to use the 2nd NVME SSD entirely as an external drive?  Or are you going to replace the OEM SSD with this one, or use both in the 2 motherboard M.2 NVME slots?

You may not need those Physon drivers if you put the 2nd SSD in an M.2 slot on motherboard, and/or Windows Update may install them, if needed.  As mentioned above, at least some of your problems may be caused by connecting this SSD via USB-C.

You should still change BIOS from RAID to SATA/NMVE after booting from OEM SSD.  Then reclone the OEM SSD onto the other one. Some SSDs don't work right when BIOS is set to RAID.

Since you bought the SSD on eBay, there's always the chance it's a bum drive or possibly a fake Micron SSD.  Have you contacted the seller about those drivers? 

BTW: What software did you use to clone the OEM SSD onto the new one? Some cloning/imaging software doesn't work properly with Dell PCs, meaning the newly cloned SSD may fail to boot the PC...

Windows can detect it if you try to boot OS through USB.  Then it gives BSOD.  (I would know.)  You may need to reload new Physon drive.  Only way past BSOD.  Afterwards, mount it internally to boot from it.  When you first boot from it, do this with previous drive uninstalled to make sure it works.

With PC already booted, then connect previous drive via USB.  Go into Disk Management as RoHe mentioned and re-initialize it, which wipes it and then it can be used for storage.  Then mount internally.

I mention that route because another experience had is if 2 drives are installed with same Windows OS, it gives BSOD.  I don't remember how many boots or chances it gives before BSOD, but it's not many, 2-3 or less.  It starts with "checking disk for errors."

If you have both SSDs in M.2 slots, each with Windows on it, and use the F12 menu to  select to boot from new SSD, it shouldn't give a BSOD.  Then just initialize the old SSD.

Now shut down normally and boot normally and it should boot from new SSD with old one available for storage.  Old one's drive letter will be assigned by Windows, but you can always change that using Disk Management, just not to C: which you should use for the boot (new) SSD.

"If you have both SSDs in M.2 slots, each with Windows on it, and use the F12 menu to select to boot from new SSD, it shouldn't give a BSOD. Then just initialize the old SSD." - Immediately after booting with new SSD.

hi all,

I am back,  as you guys have suggested,  after clone,  I moved the micron 3500 drive from external enclosure to nvme first port of dell MB.  It started giving me diagnosis message and after few sec,  it booted fine. The speed of this new nvme was fantastic. Then I shutdown the system,  and took out the nvme.  After that I put it back the original nvme 3400.  Then bang  !!!  The system would not boot,  the system would not give me any option to press any key to bios setup,  its super locked.....not F12 or any key would work.  So,  the catch was this code of front Led - 4 times blink White,  2 times blink Orange,  and repeat that again.....if I continue to press the power button,  it would not shut down the system. The whole thing just recylces,  only option is Hard snatch out the power from back of main power shource -  the three pin ones.  So,  this is what I did after that.....I removed power out,  removed HDMI out,  removed PCIE slot - which has Samsung 2TB drive -  PCIE4 small slot near graphics card,  pinned out the battery,  snatched out the two memories stick,  then pressed the power button for 30 sec.  Then put it back everything,  Then booted from my first original nvme.  It came fine. Then I swapped the new 3500 nvme. It would say inaccessible device.  Exactly at this point ,  I knew what I did wrong.  I was not supposed to remove that drive once the system recognizes it....in main nvme drive.  So,  I repeated the process again,  cloned the old drive to new nvme in external USB -C,  then moved that new nvme to MB nvme port and I did not take that one out again.  I am all set.  The security feature of Dell is very smart and of course Windows 11.  Now my next game plan is to put win11 24 H2 on this drive.  Cheers !! and thanks a lot.....

Did you change BIOS to SATA/NVME with old SSD installed before you cloned it onto the new one?  If not, that might explain your problems... 

If you haven't already initialized the old SSD for storage use, Don't do it until after you successfully install (upgrade) to Win 11 on new SSD.  If something goes wrong during the upgrade to Win 11, you would still have old SSD with functioning Win 10 on it...

Glad you got it working.  :)

Win11 24H2 is a cautionary tale.  There's been reports of it leaving a 8.6GB junk file that can't be deleted.  Windows 11 24H2 Update Comes With 8.6GB Junk File You Can't Delete

24H2 updated, no issues

Well done!