Adding second SSD to envy 14 [ Edited ]

[aak1992]

Hello, I recently ordered an HP Envy Spectre 3010NR(?) (128 GB SSD, i7) and was wondering what the process would be to add a second SSD on my own?

I found a manual online (thanks to this site =)) that details how to get to the SSD drives (for some reason I can't post the link to the PDF, but it simply shows how to access the SSD drives, and gives a part number 675508-001 for the 128 GB SSD). Page 33 I believe. Sorry about that, I don't know why it wouldn't link.

I then used the part numbers listed in that manual to find replacement parts (a second SSD for the empty drive) on HPs website and found this, however being a fairly large SSD at such a cheap price (most other SSDs I found online were double that price) I was suspicious that maybe I was looking at the wrong part? Can anyone confirm this to be the correct SSD I need, and have they ordered this from the site before for their envys?

Also, would I need to update any BIOS settings, or alter any other settings in the computer before I could access the storage space, has anyone had this type of operation done with their envys?

Thank you very much for your time, and help!

[darkreize]

If it's a 2.5" drive then it's compatible.

[aak1992]

Okay so a 2.5" drive. So is that a thickness measurement or a cross width or something? Thank you very much for the help, I'll try asking one of the HP reps to see if they know what it would be.

[jwcharp]

This is not correct.

The Spectre uses mSATA (same type of memory that the ASUS Zenbook uses)

Which is a different connection type and size all together.

While it does use SATA protocols, mSATA connectors are completely different.

The only thing I do not know is if the MOBO in the Spectre supports mSATA III (6gbps).

As I want to upgrade to the Samsung PM830 mSATA version which is capable of read speed of 550mbps.

If any one knows anything about the specs on the MOBO for the spectre specifically the SATA specs.

I am assuming that it can handle SATA III since it has USB 3.0 but assuming always causes issues.

[jwcharp]

Can you email me the service manual or the link to it, as I can not seem to find it anywhere.

Thanks!

[psacyber]

I am interested in doing the same thing. I called HP tech support who said it is not possible. However, the service manual shows 2 positions for SSD in the Envy 14 Spectre and in the specs section says that 2 are possible.

Have you had any luck on this?

[wetfeet]

I added a second SSD to my Spectre. Part number is indeed part number 675508-001. From memory all I had to do post install was to edit the new E drives security permission to allow read/write. System saw the new SSD without any changes to BIOS. Unfortunately there appears to be nothing in the BIOS to allow for RAID so it seems there is no possibilty to combine the two SSDs into a single drive. Although this is possible not such a bad thing.

Be interested to know if anybody has a 256GB Spectre from the factory and if so how the SSD's are confingured. Do they show as seperate drives like mine does or are they combined into a larger drive. 

[psacyber]

Coud you please detail the steps you followed to install the 2nd drive? Were there any issues other than what you noted?

Thanks!

[wetfeet]

"Could you please detail the steps you followed to install the 2nd drive? Were there any issues other than what you noted?"

Sure, here is a copy of a post I made elswhere.

Upgrading Spectre from 128GB to 256GB

The HP part number for the 128GB SSD is 675508-001. It comes with a cable to connect the SSD board to the MB that you will not need to use. There is already one installed to connect both SSDs. Important - You will need to source a single PM2.0x 2.0 screw to fix the SSD module in place. This screw does not come in the part kit and you will need it to hold the SSD in properly. Guess they assume the part is for a repair where the screw will already be fitted to the failed part. I was lucky to have another lappy in pieces from which I could rob the screw.

It is a simple task to remove the 8 screws that hold the battery in place including the one hidden beneath a cable. It is well labelled with a “Screw here” sign. Ideally a magnetic torq T06 or some blue tack on the end, as it is fairly easy to drop several of the screws further into the guts of the unit. Unplug the white battery connector. I found I could lift the battery vertically then roll it over itself towards me, so as to get it out, without having to remove the large sticker that bridges between it and the main unit.

Pop the SSD module into the empty slot which is the rear one. Screw it in and put it all back together. Took me about half an hour, but really you could do it in ten minutes.

There are no options in my bios to enable RAID so this could perhaps mean it is not supported by the motherboard. Anyone care to comment?

Rebooted and the second 128GB SSD has appeared as a new 119 GB HDD, E:

Warning message "Administrator privileges required to copy files to this folder" on the new HDD, so had to go into its Properties > Security and edit the permissions to allow “Full control”. Then all good.

Cost: 
$150 only because I am in Australia and they rip us off here. If you are in the US you can get the part for $97 which is an excellent deal. It was delivered to my door in a couple of days.

[psacyber]

This is excellent! Thank you!