Device not recognized during startup.
Device not recognized during startup.
I had to swap out the battery in my alienware m17 r2 laptop, but because of the awkward internal layout I had to remove the M.2 SSD. When I try to boot it, it says the drive isn't installed, no matter which slot I use. I understand the drive functions properly on my other laptop, but I’m stuck with no idea how to fix this. I don’t want to spend money on a new machine and I can’t rely on my current one since it keeps shutting off or putting itself to sleep.
Have you attempted using another M.2 storage and checked for recognition? Perhaps resetting the system's memory could help.
You didn't need to remove the mainboard to take out the battery. It’s possible you’re confusing things, as removing a battery can affect all M.2 drives. Try resetting the battery connection. In BIOS, check the boot manager—if nothing appears, that’s likely the issue. When you say "move a bit," it might mean adjusting the drive positioning slightly, ensuring everything fits perfectly during installation.
To take out the battery you need to remove the SSDs for a reason. After reinstalling, it wasn’t showing up in the BIOS and there was a slight movement. The screw seems to be holding poorly—it can shift up a bit and it appears to pull the heat sink from the M.2 slot, which you can see as you tighten it. It doesn’t pinch the drive like on your other unit.
The M.2 SSD should remain stationary once installed correctly. Do you recall its condition prior to removal? Are you certain you're applying the proper fastening method?
I suspect the installation might not be correct—perhaps a different screw was used. Re-installing an SSD doesn't seem to hide it, and I'm not sure if a "Load Optimized Defaults" setting exists in the BIOS. This issue goes beyond my experience, so someone more knowledgeable on the forum would be best to review it. Thank you for your understanding.