I need to purchase and replace a replacement 250 GB SSD for a HP EliteBook 820 G3

[alan150]

I need to purchase and replace a replacement 250 GB SSD for a HP EliteBook 820 G3, which was purchased "refurbished."

When I ran HP Diagnostics  UEFI  version 7.9.0.0 on my HP EliteBook 820 G3, it told me that the SSD that is in it should be replaced. I ran the "fast version" and "extended version several times each, and I got the same result every time.

I started looking at SSDs on Newegg, Amazon, Western Digital and Kingston's website, and it is confusing to me because some SSDs look square or rectangular, and some are shaped like "sticks of gum."

The Kingston website list several they say will work, with some in each shape, but 250 GB size is out of stock.

I have also looked at the HP Manual for the HP EliteBook 820 G3, and in the service/replacement section for SSDs, in the picture they show about replacing the SSD, the one the are removing is shaped more like a stick of gum (than a sguare or short rectangle). At one end there are flat prongs to insert into something, and on the other end there is a half of a hole for a "hold down screw." Is that the correct shape I should look for?

On Amazon the Western Digital 250GB WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s , and on Newegg the Team Group MS30 M.2 2280 256GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) TM8PS7256G0C101 both look like they will work, but that doesn't mean that they will because the contact prongs may not line up correctly. Amazon does have a "check if this will fit" feature, but the answer it gave was essentially, "we're not sure." Will one or both of these SSDs serve as a suitable replacement? If both will; which one would you recommend?
If not, how can I find the correct SSD to use. Because the 250 GB size is what is in the computer now; I thought I would stick with that size for several reasons.

Also, yesterday I used the Windows 10 feature to create a "restore media," with the  HP utilities included. Will I be able to restore the operating system (Windows 10 -PRO) and the HP utilities & apps to the computer after the replacement SSD is installed, or do you have to use the "cloning software" I see mention with the larger high-end drives. I have no documents or other material on the current SSD that needs to be saved. I transferred all the documents in Wordpad to a thumb drive.

If I can use the restore drive I created, how do I do it? Does Microsoft have an instruction sheet on their website?

Finally, I have read all the cautions in the HP Manual about static electricity and not placing the SSD near any magnets. It may sound silly to ask, but only good set of screwdrivers I have has magnetic tips. Will they be unsuitable for doing the job or hurt the new SSD while I am installing it.

Thank you.

Alan

[Huffer]

You have to first figure out what you have to do a replacement. Conceivably, it could be either a 2.5 inch SATA SSD or a M.2 ("gumstick") SSD, but most likely an M.2. This laptop cannot have both an M.2 and a 2.5 inch as the M.2 slot runs perpendicular to the 2.5 inch bay. Here is the Service manual:

Manual 

See pp. 36-39 if my description is confusing. 

Regardless of what you have now, the laptop is able to accept what is called an NVME M.2 which is the fastest type of storage available in the consumer market. The performance of an NVME M.2 is substantially as in several times faster than a SATA 2.5 inch or SATA M.2. 

I am not sure what you did to make a restore disk but if the hard drive is corrupt you may not want to use a restore medium made from it. Generally you need to boot the system from the restore media. Happy to discuss in more depth if needed. 

Purchase suggestion for new drive:

https://www.amazon.com/Black-SN750-NVMe-Internal-Gaming/dp/B07M64R4CR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywo...

Larger sizes are available at the same link. 

Post back with more questions as I am sure you need some more instruction. 

[alan150]

Thank you for responding to my request for help in replacing the failing SSD ( According to the HP Diagnostics  UEFI  version 7.9.0.0 test).

I apologize for taking so long to getting back to you (I do need some more help before I start), but I got sick with Covid-19, which swept through were I live, and then I had to have an iguinal hernia operation, so I have been laid up for a while and unable to take care of the computer problem and to write back to you right away.

In the mean time I have looked at some vidios on "you tube" about SSDs and replacing them, so I know a little more now than when I first asked the question to the HP community.

I know for sure, as you suggested, that I need the "gum stick shaped form" SSD, rather than the square/rectangular shaped ones, which I had purchased one of those, when I bought one of my refurbished HP EliteBook computers, and it might work in one of my 840 G2s, with conventional Hard Drives in them, if I ever need to replace one of those.

Ironically, before I had received your response, I had "honed in" on the very same Western Digital gum stick shaped SSD, which you sent to me the link for amazon. Before I bought one, I looked at the Western Digital website, where they have no "application chart," where you start with the brand of computer and keep adding information until you get to your specific computer, and it tells you what works with your computer, so I used their "chat"  service to ask whoever responded there, if this would be suitable for my computer (It is like you suggest.) but apparently the person I was "chatting with" didn't know that much (he kept putting me on hold) and after twice being on hold he he came back and said "no, not to get it" and he used a lot of terms that I didn't under stand then.

I then went to the Micron/Crucial and Kingston websites, where you can identify your computer and get a list of parts that are available, and at least on the Micron/Crucial website they say that they guarantee that any SSDs or Memory they suggest will work on the computer you identify.

They have just come out with a new line of SSDs identified as a P5, which seems to be comparable to the Western Digital one you suggested and I had thought about getting before you response.

As it happened they had the 500 GB size "on sale" for just a few dollars more than the 256 GB size, so based on their "guarantee" that it would work in a HP EliteBook 820 G3; I ordered one and it has arrived.

I also found somewhere on the Google internet (I usually use Bing) a one on one comparison with the Western Digital one you suggested (and I would have bought if it were not for what the person on the Western Digital Website incorrectly told me,) and the "Total Score" was only one point different for one of them. (I don't remember which.)

I also found a "review" of the Micron/Crucial P5 on a site called "Tom's Hardware" and his one "con" of the Micron/Crucial P5 was that it "ran hot." Do you think that will matter, since I all ready have the Micron/Crucial P5 500 GB SSD, and it was only a few dollars more than the the 250 size in either the Western Digital or the Micron/Crucial P5 SSD?

I do have a few questions more, but I'd like to take it one at a time, and I'' wait until you say that the Micron/Crucial P5 will be a suitable replacement for what is in the computer now.

Crucial P5 500GB 3D NAND NVMe Internal SSD, up to 3400MB/s - CT500P5SSD8

Brand Crucial
Digital Storage Capacity 500 GB
Hardware Interface Solid State Drive
Read Speed 3400 Megabytes Per Second
Write Speed 3000
About this item
Innovative 3D NAND and cutting-edge controller technology, with read and write performance up to 3400/3000MB/s, pushing the limits of PCIe Gen 3 NVMe for tech enthusiasts, professional designers, and serious gamers
Capable of enhancing data security and management with rapid, full-drive encryption, helping protect your data without performance degradation
Optimize performance and durability with dynamic write acceleration, error correction, and adaptive thermal protection
Operating systems open almost instantly, apps launch in seconds, and games load before you’re ready to spawn
Backed by a 5-year limited warranty

Thank You for your help and assistance.

Alan150

[Huffer]

You are overthinking this a little. Yes the Micron/Crucial NVME will also be a good option for you. The best NVME M.2 SSD in my opinion, and what I personally use is a Samsung 970 Evo Plus. They tend to cost a bit more but performance is as good or better than any other consumer M.2 SSD on the market. Heat is a real thing with NVME M.2 SSDs but there are clip-on heatsinks you can get and frankly it has never caused me much of a problem. There are also Pro versions which are even faster but much more expensive. Let us know what other questions you have. 

[alan150]

You're right, I do overthink something when I haven't done it before, and I agree that the Samsung 970 Evo Plus is the best, but when I saw the one I bought, for fifty-nine dollars for 500 GB, (twice the GBs that I have now) I bought it before checking with anyone.

My next question is about the RAM, which currently is 8 GB, and I don't think either the SSD or the RAM is what was installed at the factory, but re-used parts installed by the refurbishing company.

Since I am replacing the SSD with a much faster one, I thought it would be a good idea to use the empty RAM slot that is in the computer now for another 8GB DDR4 Memory Module and go up to 16 GB.

Can I just add one new Memory Module  to the empty slot, or should both be replaced a a set of two 8 GB identical Memory Modules? ( They seem to come in either 2400 MHz or 2666 MHz)

I am a "bargain hunter," so when I saw an ADATA Memory Module on Amazon (Saying it was a 2665 MHz one) for $ 35.00, I bought one, but it turned out to be 2400 when it came. To get another one, I would have to wait a while, as they are out of them, so I bought a set of 

TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) 2666MHz for $ 73.00, which was supposed to be a sale price.

If the one that is in the computer now, turns out to be 2400 MHz, can I "pair it" with the ADATA one? Or should I use the 16 GB Kit I bought and return the ADATA  2400 one for a refund?

Thank you for your assistance.

Alan

[Huffer]

Memory actually runs at 2133 speed. So you can likely mix 2400 and 2666 modules and there is a high chance as long as they are the same sized modules they will run in dual channel at 2133. If they run in dual channel there is no improvement to be had. So I would use what I had and only if it refuses to run dual channel would I buy something else. 

[alan150]

Dear Huffer,

There is something I don't understand about what you are telling me to do about the RAM, so I need to ask you another question. 

Forgetting about the speed of the RAM modules, which I do understand what you are saying to me. Right now there is only one 8 GB stick of RAM in the computer, and two slots to put RAM into. Are you telling me to use the one stick of RAM I bought first, and to use it in the empty slot along with the one 8 GB stick that is already in the computer, or to just leave the RAM the way it is now. with only one stick of 8 GB of RAM?

I think what you advised me to do is the first part. Just add the single stick I bought, and have now, to the empty slot in the computer to pair it up with what is in the computer now, regardless of their speeds.

I think that is what you are telling me to do, but I just want to make sure.

Thank you for your help.

Alan 

[Huffer]

You read it right. If you have another module of DDR4 put it in the empty slot even if it is a different speed than what is in the computer now, just to see what happens. 

https://diaryofdennis.com/2012/11/12/how-to-check-if-your-computer-memory-is-running-in-dual-channel....

[alan150]

Thank you for responding so quickly. Very helpful.

Alan

[alan150]

Dear Huffer,

I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. I've had a "run of bad luck" that has kept me from getting to my HP EliteBook 820 G3 to put in the new SSD, and the one stick of memory, which you said would work fine with the one already in the computer, rather that spend the money for a new matched pair kit from Crucial, as I believe you said that the computer doesn't run at the speed anyway that a new pair is capable of.

I hope now that some of the problems have taken a break that I can get to the computer, and I have three questions , probably two of them dumb, and one where you with the experience can keep me from overthinking the choice between two choices.

First, since the computer was purchased refurbished, where the seller makes it clear that it still has the original battery in it, I've decided to replace the battery too while I have the back of the computer off.

There are two at Amazon that seem to be for this computer. If I list them below, will you look at them and tell me which one to use. The price is the same, but hey have slightly different specifications when it comes to volts, watts, and mAh. I figure one must be a better choice. Besides the difference in weight shown is so considerable that I wonder if it is a misprint. 

The two "dumb questions" are (1) I have read all the cautions in the manual about keeping the parts away from anything magnetic and the dangers caused by static electricity. The good set of screwdrivers I have has magnetic tips. Will using the one of them that fits be a problem? I've looked at several U-Tube videos, and one of the demonstrators was using a magnetic tip screwdriver, as he picked up the screws, including the one that holds the "gum stick shaped" SSD in.

(2) I have one of those "wrist straps," that some say to always use, and some say are unnecessary. If I use it, do you connect it to a metal part of the computer chassis or metal someplace else?

Replacement Battery for HP EliteBook 820 G3

1. SANISI HP SB03XL Battery 46WH for HP EliteBook 720 G1 725 G2 820 G1 820 G2 825 G2 Series Notebook P/N: 717378-001 Extended Life High Capacity 4150mAh - Price: $39.99

2. Laqueena SN03XL Laptop Replacement Battery for HP EliteBook 820 G3 G4 T7B33AA 725 G3 G4 Series 800232-241 800232-271 800232-541 800514-001 HSTNN-l42C HSTNN-DB6V HSTNN-UB6T 11.4V 44WH/3860MAH 3-Cell - Price: $39.99

Thank you for your help.

Alan