Brand new M18X R2 Questions

I just received my new M18X R2 and of course several questions have allready come up.

Please bear with me if some of these have been covered, but my internet access is terrible. I cannot get highspeed and at times dial up would be preferred to what I have except that half the time my phone is not even good for talking on. Last nigh t I did a download that vatied from 4k to 14kbps. Pretty bad.

I bought the machine through COSTCO.CO" so I have 90 days to return it if it is not to my expectations. All I have to do is box it and walk into the store and say "I am returning this" DONE.

1. I wan to install a SSD    BEFORE loading my software. So I ordered a 256g Samsung 830 from NewEgg. It come this afternoon. I would like to install it in single mode. New install should eliminate the alignment issue. So I figured out how to create the factory reimage DVDs and tested it on an old 160 SATA drive,. Worked. Slow. Old drive.

I understand to set BIOS to AHCI first as I do not intend to go Raid. 

     1. What settings should I change after the install?

     2. Which of the two SATA III slots do you suggest?

     3. Any suggestions before I get started. I am looking for as much stability as possible. Speed is importand but

         this machine is not for gaming. I need performance and storage space for large digital photography use.

         What I am doing was taking my T61 Thinkpad to it's knees!

2. Is there an eject button for the Optical drive or is the right click and say eject the only way?

3. Is there a user manual (other than what I would call a hardware maintenance manual) available?

Incidentally, I started with this problem by calling the Costco Concierge Service and was told an SSD coud not be installed. Sure! Then I finally found the number for Alienworld and they pointed me to download Alienspawn which was not available anywhener I looked. They, of course, also tried to sell me an SSD. Browsed the software on the system (DUH) and there it was.  The procedure worked so I ordered the SSD and another 1G drive from  NewEgg

I am not new to computers as I am retired from 37yrs with IBM servicing many types of hardware and have built many systems.

Looking forward to this new adventure. It will be my introduction to SSDs!

Thanks for the reply. I am bite n at the bit to get started on htis tonight when the SSD comes! When I get it loaded and working I will take it to a Starbucks to use their high speed. Sad but that what you do when you live in the hills without DSL or Comcast. An I refuse to go satellite as neighbors say theirs is worse than dial up.

I have made he restore DVDs that will take it back to the factory preload and TESTED it by restoring to a clean but old 160g drive. My plan is to do an initial load directly to the SSD. Have heard that is the best method.

As such a clone would do no more. I have not loaded any software as my understanding is that a SSD has 4k sector size and just cloning will create problems. Also there can be a 63 meg offset that can affect it. Clone a drive to a drive is OK. SSD to SSD is OK. Drive to SSD is problems at least until ACRONIS gets their head out of the sand! I don't know if Clonezilla might work fine and I have heard that Paragon works but not familiar with them.

Yes. I have a "slot load" optical. Is there and way other than the right click to eject it? Every so often I do a WHOOPS and want to get it out ASAP!

I understand my slow internet completely. I have Verizon 3g but live in the foothills with no direct line of sight to a tower. A 10 db Yagi pointed at a spot that picks up a marginal signal is the best I can do. Either that or move to another house.

I worked telecommunications extensively when with IBM.

I have found no paperclip hole like in a 'tray load'. I am thinking the MUST be a way!