Thanks for the assist AWX17.  There were no updates within a few days that the error showed up.  Currently, everything is up to date except the Bios 2.10 update.  That fails for some reason, but for now, I will let it wait.  I saw that the Bios update was an issue on other posts.  Maybe Dell will get it updated/fixed so it installs as easily as the previous Bios updates. The time from power on to the initial Windows screen was 2:30 minutes.  That time was just the Alienware logo screen.   I opened up the laptop and removed the 2nd drive and then put it back together to try.  Now from power on to the initial Windows screen is 17 SECONDS.  Just like new.... I ran various diagnostics and programs and all seems good with just the C drive.  Since I was not using the 2nd drive for much except junk collection, I think I will put off trying to re-install the 2nd drive for the time being and just enjoy the laptop......  
The second hard drive in my m17 R1 (1TB) disappeared from Windows 11. When I run diagnostics, I get 'Drive D Missing'.  From that I am assuming that it just totally died. I did not have that much data on it and have recovered the data from backups and put it on the C Drive. But when trying to start computer up it has long delays at the 'Alienware' initial screen. Eventually I can get it to Windows and everything seems to work except for the 'lost' D drive. I am assuming that the initial delay is Bios trying to find D Drive. How can I tell the Bios (Version 2.9) to forget about the dead D Drive? Some setting in Bios? Physically removing the defective drive? (I have the Service Manual and can follow the instructions there) Ed  
m17 R1, block Bios from knowing about dead 2nd hard drive