It works! I can access the data in the NTFS partition on the SSD by connecting it via an external SSD enclosure ([1]). Next thing I'm going to do is erase everything on the SSD and try to put it back into the XPS... [1] [URL]
Hello friends, I am using a Dell XPS 9700, bought in April 2021. My SSD has the following specs: SK hynix, PCIe Gen3 x 4, 0MXTT3, HFS001TD9TNI, PC611 NVMe, 1 TB. I deleted the DELL recovery partitions. My SSD layout looks like this: The SSD is using UEFI, GPT. I have "secure boot" disabled, and the SATA controller uses AHCI mode. Please tell me if you need more detailed information about my system. The other day, I was going to install a Linux partition on my SSD (Partition 4), and came to realize that my EFI partition was too small: it had only 150 MB, and the installation of Linux failed for that reason. So I decided to resize the EFI partition. To make room for it, I decided to resize my Windows (C:) partition. For that, I used EaseUS Partition Master. I told the program to decrease the size of the Windows partition by about 700 MB. The program told me to reboot, which I did. Upon rebooting, before Windows booted up, EaseUS took over and started the resizing process. It quickly finished, and told me to reboot. I did that, but then was not able to boot the laptop anymore. Even worse, I couldn't even enter the BIOS setting menu. The laptop only showed the DELL logo. I did some online research, and decided to remove the SSD. It worked. After removing the SSD, I could boot into the BIOS setting menu, and I could also boot Linux from a USB stick. But of course, I would like to use my SSD again. I hope it's not a hardware failure. I assume that the resizing of the partition somehow failed, and messed up the GPT partition table. But why does that lead to the system not even enter the BIOS settings menu? Is it some kind of security measure? What would you suggest would be the best way for me to get out of this mess? 1) Buy an SSD adapter to connect the SSD to another computer? 2) Just try and put the SSD back into the laptop? 3) Clear the CMOS? 4) Something else... I hope the Windows partition can be restored, by using a suitable recovery tool if necessary. Thanks a lot you for your help, Daniel PS: I do have the option to call DELL support, but I would like to avoid doing that for now, because I'm afraid it might take some time, plus I'm not sure if they will give me back the SSD with my data on it. But I might have to if in the end it turns out to be a hardware failure.
Dell XPS 9700, POST fails due to possibly mispartitioned (or defect?) SSD, 
can't boot, can't access BIOS