Can I Upgrade my Desktop by replacing my Intel Optane with an M.2 SSD

[JonDeLucci]

I bought a new Pavilion 690-0020na with an M.2 expansion slot. I thought it would be a good idea to install an SSD into the M.2 slot so bought a WD-Black SN750. The intention is/was to run programs from the SSD and save data to the HDD. On inspecting the Pavilion, I see that the M.2 expansion slot is filled with the Intel Optane card. What to do?

I have tried the following:

1. Disable Intel Rapid Storage Technology App

2. Remove Optane card

3. Install SSD

4 . Clone HDD onto SSD with Minitool ShadowMaker

5. Restart. Result: Boot/C: drive is HDD. SSD is disabled

6. Enable SSD using disk management. Result SSD is F: drive

7. Restart. Result Boot/C: drive is HDD, SSD is F: Drive

8. Restart and edit BIOS/Setup, promote SSD above HDD on Boot Options. Result Boot/C: drive is HDD, SSD is F: Drive

9. Unplug HDD and restart. Result: Boot/C: drive is SSD

10. Reconnect HDD and restart. Result Boot/C: drive is HDD, SSD is F: Drive

11. Restart and disable HDD in BIOS. Result Boot/C: drive is HDD, SSD is F: Drive

Really frustrating so I have now replaced the SSD with Optane card and re-enabled Intel Rapid Storage Technology App. Running fine. 

I would be interested to now if an M.2 SSD upgrade is possible on my machine and if there is a walkthrough/instructions for this.

[old_geekster]

@JonDeLucci , welcome to the forum.

I suggest that you disconnect the HDD to see if the M.2 will be the boot drive.  Make certain it is set as boot drive in the BIOS/UEFI.

Update:  Sorry, I reread your list again and see that you did unplug the HDD and the M.2 did boot.  Then, you should backup any personal data on the HDD and reformat it so there are not two OS'es on the computer.  I have had this same thing happen to me.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[wb2001]

@JonDeLucci,

I do believe @old_geekster  's advice is wise. Have to believe the unit is confused by the boot partition on the hard drive. Might be some lingering optane BIOS setting you missed?  I would invest in the following as your system has some age.

1) A new 1-2 TB hard drive.

2) A USB 3.0 external hard drive enclosure.  That way you can copy the data files to the new HD.

3) This preserves the original HD and Optane device.

After the dust settles, read on:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/change-default-save-location-windows-10

https://www.dummies.com/computers/operating-systems/windows-10/how-to-change-the-location-of-user-fo...

[JonDeLucci]

Thanks for your reply Old_geekster. Unfortunately, reformatting the HDD will take a leap of faith on my part as I have not been able to boot from the SSD with the HDD connected. Also, I don't believe that formatting the HDD when it's the boot drive is possible (I may be wrong), so what are the steps for reformatting the HDD?

[JonDeLucci]

Thank-you for your reply Wb2001. I can well believe there is something that I have missed in the Optane BIOS settings as I'm not sure where to find them and what to change. The machine is 12-18 months "old" technology and was purchased new this month so I don't see this as a problem. I'm not sure why I need a new hard drive but I do like the idea installing the SSD into an external enclosure in order to use it. Better still perhaps, I could buy an internal adapter and install the SSD into the machine using a spare PCIe or SATA port. I could then try installing the OS on the SSD or simply use it as a backup drive.

[old_geekster]

Thank you for the additional information, @JonDeLucci!

S:  Also, I don't believe that formatting the HDD when it's the boot drive is possible (I may be wrong), so what are the steps for reformatting the HDD?

A:  Once the HDD has been disconnected from the Motherboard and you boot to the SSD, the HDD will no longer be the boot drive.  You will have designated the SSD as the boot drive in the BIOS/UEFI.  Then, it can be formatted.  I don't blame you for being careful not to format the HDD until you get a good boot from the SSD.  Although, you can always do a HP System Recovery on the HDD.

[wb2001]

@JonDeLucci 

Maybe I confused you. So I will clarify (in red).

You have the SSD booting, abeit with an issue, which you could remedy in the BIOS.  (I would hope)

I would invest in the following as your system has some age.

1) A new 1-2 TB hard drive. (Hard drives get old, a fresh start preserves the original HD)

2) A USB 3.0 external hard drive enclosure. That way you can copy the data files to the new HD.  (Self-explained, you need to be able to copy files back to the new drive).

3) This preserves the original HD and Optane device.

4) You do not have the required PCIEx4 slot to make full advantage of an  SSD m.2 NVMe.

[JonDeLucci]

Thank you again to both Old_geekster and Wb2001 for your replies.

For me to move forward with this, I need to know how to get the machine booting off the new SSD with the original HDD installed. I am not inclined to replace the HDD as I may still be stymied by some other settings i.e. on the m/b, BIOS or cloned software settings on the new SSD. 

As this is a new machine and I want it running rather than in pieces, I will continue running with the factory build for the time being.