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‎10-07-2017 11:48 AM

HP Recommended
Product: 15-au018wm
Operating System: Linux

I recently decided to upgrade this laptop with an ssd harddrive. After opening it, I realized that there is a place for it, but the connector is missing... Meaning the area on the image, on the left of the hard drive. It has the pinns, but the actual connector/plug is not there. Anybody know where I can get that small part and plug it in there?

 

pavilion.png

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

‎10-07-2017 12:08 PM - edited ‎10-07-2017 12:10 PM

HP Recommended

This is not the first time we have had this report. Some models that are covered by that Manual which shows an M.2 slot in fact do not have one and it seems to be mostly the models sold specifically at Costco and Walmart as yours is (the "wm" at the end of the model number means WalMart).

 

You misunderstand the manufacturing process. The connector/plug is soldered into place with very advanced laser machinery at the factory in China. You could not just plug it on there and even if you are good at soldering you could not solder it in there unless you have a 6-figure production solder station. HP saves a couple pennies per machine by omitting that component on the models it distributes through WalMart. At least you probably got a good price on it, eh?

 

Sorry no M.2 for you. You could install a 2.5 inch SATA SSD in place of the mechanical hard drive and it will be just as fast as a SATA M.2 would have been in the slot IF you had one.

 

Don't shoot the messenger I do not work for HP. If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

 

 

View solution in original post

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6 REPLIES 6

‎10-07-2017 12:08 PM - edited ‎10-07-2017 12:10 PM

HP Recommended

This is not the first time we have had this report. Some models that are covered by that Manual which shows an M.2 slot in fact do not have one and it seems to be mostly the models sold specifically at Costco and Walmart as yours is (the "wm" at the end of the model number means WalMart).

 

You misunderstand the manufacturing process. The connector/plug is soldered into place with very advanced laser machinery at the factory in China. You could not just plug it on there and even if you are good at soldering you could not solder it in there unless you have a 6-figure production solder station. HP saves a couple pennies per machine by omitting that component on the models it distributes through WalMart. At least you probably got a good price on it, eh?

 

Sorry no M.2 for you. You could install a 2.5 inch SATA SSD in place of the mechanical hard drive and it will be just as fast as a SATA M.2 would have been in the slot IF you had one.

 

Don't shoot the messenger I do not work for HP. If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

 

 

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‎10-07-2017 12:47 PM

HP Recommended

I appreciate your answer! Didn't think of the connector needing to be soldered, duh...

I had assumed that I could just clip it on as it has two holes on either side.

 

Thanks, I may go with this CDROM adapter...

 

 

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‎10-08-2017 05:35 AM

HP Recommended

Let's discuss before you do that. Optical drive SATA port is slower than HDD SATA port so that device seems like it will not meet your objective. Other options are available. 

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‎10-29-2017 09:57 AM - edited ‎10-29-2017 10:44 AM

HP Recommended

Hi,

I am trying to revive this thread as it is related to my current problem.

 

I have HP 15-au018wm laptop. I would like to install an SSD myself but opening the base of the laptop looks very tedious and risky for a newbie like me.

 

1. How much of speed is lost by installing SSD into CD/DVD drive? 20%?30%?

2. Can the laptop be booted from CD/DVD? I read in some forum that default boot from CD/DVD is not possible but I see that in the boot options

3. What optical caddy should I buy? Will a 9.5 inch fit well for 15-au018wm?

4. What other options apart from CD/DVD, Hard drive and M.2?

 

Thank you for your help. Have a great day

 

Satish

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‎10-29-2017 10:56 AM

HP Recommended

Don't revive old threads. Start a new one. 

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‎10-29-2017 11:56 AM

HP Recommended

Hi,

 

New post from @satishbits

 

     https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/SSD-to-Hp-15-au018wm-laptop/td...

 

Regards.

BH
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