15-fa2382tx - SSD slots

[John_Ranthore]

I swapped the 512GB SSD for the 2TB stick.  Used Samsung Magician to clone the drive. Worked like a charm.

The Windows license key is registered to your BIOS, so if you swap in the cloned drive, doesn't involve any extra issues.

[spk81]

Is there any software to identify SSD slot NVMe lines?

[TzortzisG]

Yes, HWinfo.

The Smbios DMI sometimes contains the information on the secondary slot. However, many times the only way to see it is by actually connecting a PCIe drive and then the data will be available in the BUS section (bottom of screenshot).

Do note that even if the Intel current 15 inch Victus systems have 4-lane 2230 slots, the shorter the SSD the more difficult it is to dissipate the heat. Meaning, 2280 drives are always preferable for the OS to any other size. I know it's a pain reinstalling the OS and all the programs and settings, but when upgrading hardware it might be necessary.

[John_Ranthore]

But that's the benefit of using a cloning software. You just need to put it in, run the cloning software as though you are copying files to a hard disk. And done. No need to reinstall anything. 

Just dont do any work on the laptop while cloning. That work mostly either wont be saved/be corrupted. Just let the cloning process happen peacefully. 

[spk81]

Thanks.

I ran HWiNFO, but only one system slot  showing as Type  J6B2,  Bus width 16x/x16,  in use.

No M2 Slots

I am thinking to keep the  default  shipped SSD and OS intact  until warranty expires. So better to add 2230 2GB SSD if all ok.

Also planning to add M2 WIFI BMC card  in the 2230 slot ,  since I want to install MAC OS (hackintosh) which supports only BMC card

[TzortzisG]

Smbios DMI is just data in the BIOS code filled in by HP personnel. I've also had the same experience with you, that more often than not they "neglect" to fill in the specs for secondary SSD slots. It was worth a shot though...

I think that the 2230 here will also be a 2lane Gen4.0 slot. Meaning speed will max out as Gen3.0. There is also the matter of how easy it is to boot from this secondary slot. We've often seen HP making it difficult for users to have the OS on the shorter auxiliary drive. Concerning the wifi, do you mean BCM, broadcom for hackintosh? HP machines are very picky with their wifi cards and this is an area I know nothing about. Make sure the new wifi card has any hope of working with HP bios BEFORE making the purchase.

@John_Ranthore 

Yes, cloning has many positive aspects. It's one way of doing things. Personally, many times I can't get it to work correctly or problems later arise, so I just clean install and get it over with.