Clarification on M.2 upgrades SSD/NVME

[gwitters]

My 1 Tb drive is making weird noise so i want to upgrade using the M.2 slot for speed increase and heat decrease.

will my HP Pavilion - 15-bc220nr, product # Z7Y92UA support this?  it has the slot.

1. M.2 Sata SSD or NVME?

2. is ther a size restriction?

3. Can i have both M.2 and old HD in at the same time?

4. Key type B,M, or BM...no pun intended.

thanks, Gerald

[CherylG]

The Maintenance and Service Guide is a bit confusing since it doesn't mention your model specifically, but I would go with M.2 Sata 3 ssd.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-15-bc200-notebook-pc/13810158/model/14989395/manual...

Of course you could always upgrade to a 2.5" SSD to replace the failing drive:

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-500GB-Internal-MZ-76E500B-AM/dp/B0781Z7Y3S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=154...

[iomare · Accepted solution]

Hi Gerald,

Before buying M2 drive you need to check if the slot is present on the motherboard as sometimes notebooks that did not come with M2 SSD are missing physical slot on the motherboard. On page 34 of the service manual, you can see the steps to remove bottom cover to take a look. 

M2 slotIf the slot is present you can use a M2 SATA3 SSD such as the M2 Samsung 860 Evo or similar. Do not worry about B or M.

If the slot is present you can have both M2 drive and a 2.5" SATA3 drive like your old hard drive. However, if your old drive is showing problems I would not install the drive together with the M2 SSD as it could slow down the computer.

You will need to place the OS on the SSD for performance gain.

Hope it helps,

David

[gwitters]

I was able to install a Samsung Evo 860 SSD 1Tb.

Using Mini Tool Magic Partition (free edition) to copy the hard drive to the M.2 SSD (waiting and holding my breath was the hardest part, everything is point and click)

Reset the bios  to use it to boot, then remove the failing drive and everyting works great!

the confusion is that the MB slot is soldered in upside down, so the M.2 goes in face down.  It "looks" like a "B" key slot, but accepts the Samsung M.2 SSD card just fine (with it (B,M key)once you flip it over.

Thanks for the help!

[gwitters]

I was able to install a Samsung Evo 860 SSD 1Tb.

Using Mini Tool Magic Partition (free edition) to copy the hard drive to the M.2 SSD (waiting and holding my breath was the hardest part, everything is point and click)

Reset the bios  to use it to boot, then remove the failing drive and everyting works great!

the confusion is that the MB slot is soldered in upside down, so the M.2 goes in face down.  It "looks" like a "B" key slot, but accepts the Samsung M.2 SSD card just fine (with it (B,M key)once you flip it over.

Thanks for the help!

[gwitters]

Thanks so much.  my baby is lighter, faster and make no noise now!

Flipping the M.2 just to get it to fit feels counter intuitive but it worked.

have a great weekend!

[iomare]

Your welcome.

Let us know if you need any further help.

All the best,

David

[tyrion2k]

How did you fix the ssd to the laptop. Did you get a screw with the motherboard? If you purchased the screw, Where did you buy it and with what specifications?

Thanks and Regards

[iomare]

Hi,

What you need is an M2x3 screw or just search for M2 SSD mounting screw.

Example

https://www.amazon.com/JkerTech-Mounting-Components-Gigabyte-Motherboard/dp/B07NZ32TRB/ref=sr_1_4?ke...

Hope it helps,

David