Can I use a second M.2, form factor etc.

[JeyEli]

Hello!

I would like to add disk space to my 512GB M.2 SSD from the very beginning. I checked the official material and found that I can add another M.2 NVMe 2230 SSD if I don't have WWAN. I checked first that I really have no WWAN in the device manager, okay. I opened the laptop and I got quite disappointed: The empty place where the WWAN board would be placed is empty but my 2230 appears not to fit at all! I already got information from an AI telling me that this appeared already in discussions and a 2242 may fit...

From my understanding I would send now the 2230 back, and should I order a 2242? Or use an adapter for the 2230 and keep it? Or doesn't it work at all? I amconfused...

Thanks! 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Chapter 3, page 21 of the service manual indicates that the M.2 2230 drive needs a 'support kit.'

Maintenance and Service Guide

The solid-state drive support kit is available as spare part number N00354-001

Chapter 5, page 48 shows the M.2 2230 SSD removal and replacement procedure.

But it doesn't look to me like the PC supports two drives, it looks like you remove the M.2 2280 and install a M.2 2230 instead.

I can't find a picture of the motherboard which according to the parts list is HP part # N06859-601

The service teardown video does not show any standoff for a M.2 2230 drive, so I assume that is what the M.2 2230 support kit is for.

Removing & replacing parts for HP EliteBook 655 G9 | HP Computer Service

I can't find any info in the service manual that indicates installing a M.2 SSD in the WWAN slot is supported.

If you found someplace that indicates you can install a SSD in the empty WWAN slot, the WWAN card spec is M.2 2242 from the information I could find which means that you should probably return the M.2 2230 and buy a M.2 2242.

[JeyEli]

Thank you!

Please have a look at the HP EliteBook 655 15.6 inch G9 Notebook PC specifications.

It says under STORAGE/DEVICES, Secondary optional storage, "NOTE: Only available with systems without WWAN". I also saw another source telling that this would be the place to insert the SSD. 

You might have a look at the image here, this is the place, a photo from my computer:

What do you think?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, I see that listed on the specs page:

Secondary optional storage

128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Value Solid-State Drive 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Value Solid-State Drive Note:  Only available with systems without WWAN.

HP EliteBook 655 15.6 inch G9 Notebook PC specifications | HP® Support

I also see that information listed on this specs sheet from AMD:

hp-elitebook-655-g9.pdf

That makes me feel a lot more comfortable with the option of installing a M.2 2242 NVMe SSD in the WWAN slot.

I just wish the service manual indicated that information as well, and why it doesn't that I do not know.

Please post back and let us know if a M.2 2242 NVMe SSD works in the WWAN slot.

I would imagine that you are not limited to 256 GB either. 

That's probably just what HP offered in the model series, not the maximum capacity supported.

[tk_srq]

@JeyEli,

See these two threads where the folks found they needed an M.2 NVMe SSD 2242, not 2230.

Re: What exactly Elitebook 640 G9 support for the second SSD... - HP Support Community - 9151436

Second ssd drive on elitebook 640 g9 - HP Support Community - 9220271

You can keep the 2230 NVMe SSD and install it with a 2230 to 2242 extender linked in the first post above or buy a 2242 NVMe SSD.