In hope HP starts removing hardware locks. Upgrading HP Stream 14, more RAM and adding SSD.

[BarryMo67]

 So my original reason to open my Stream was to replace a swollen battery, that got me on YouTube looking up Stream disassembly. I am well out of warranty so very comfortable going aftermarket for this repair and upgrade.

 Any way as I was on YouTube a couple of videos came up about adding RAM and an SSD to a few Stream models were also in the list of repair videos. I was shocked and a little let down to learn blocks are in place to stop a user from using the built-in M.2 slot, that is home to the WIFI/Blue Tooth module, as a place for an SSD and new boot drive. I will add 1 Stream Model can indeed use an SSD after a BIOS Update as a Boot Drive. ( BIOS was updated from V15 to V16 as staying on V15 the adapter does not work)

 So I guess my question would be why would HP not remove any blocks for older 32 GB eMMC models as Windows10 itself needs more then 32 GB storage?

 I know Windows and it's unruly updates are not HP's fault, however to not unlock the ability to add more storage by the user, is going to turn most Streams into an e-waste problem. Would it not make better press to at least show they care?

 After all it is a few lines of code pushed into an update from their own website, something I am willing to bet has been done lots in the R&D Department already.  Over the Years in Electronics and Computer devices and their communities I have had experience being in and around, (Casio/HTC/Nokia-Microsoft/Motorola/Nintendo), the users always show it can be done after a Company says it can't be done.

 Even here the General answer to a user question of adding an SSD is "Nope" can't be done, when in fact it can. You just have to jump through a few hoops like a Linux app or two and we have fully updated Stream laptops booting from 250 GB SSD's.

 I hope I do not come across as a ranting loon, but would it not be better to build brand loyalty by working with the people who have already bought your products??

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @BarryMo67 , 

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP Stream 14, swollen battery. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

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Gaya1238

HP Support

[BarryMo67]

Gaya1239 :

 Sorry for the slow reply. The battery issue was solved by myself (After Market Battery), and as the original message was not Battery related your reply is typical of Sales. Kind and calm but avoiding any "Troublesome" issue.

 I have in fact cracked most of my issues, and installed 8 GB Ram, a 480 GB Patriot NVME SSD + M.2 to NVME adapter in the WIFI slot, and added a WIFI/BT low profile dongle.

 The original reason was because Windows 10 has become far too much for the 32GB eMMC. This is not the Fault of HP but Microsoft. HP is Guilty of blocking owners from doing Upgrades that would keep these devices out of Landfill and e-waste dumps. Not a very Green way of doing Business, and one of the troublesome issues.

 The good news is my now improved ( and a little faster) Steam 14 almost fully duel boots PoP OS/Windows 10 with the eMMC now reduced to 26 GB of Fat32 Partitioned Storage +System Disk + Linux Recovery.

 Funny how Pop OS can boot with no issue from the SSD, but Windows has issues ( soon to be solved once I find the issue in BIOS). There again R&D doesn't program for Linux, but they do for Windows.

 Makes you wonder why 2 Partitions on the same drive have 2 different outcomes when booting, PoP OS happy as a clam springs to life, but Windows the OS made for the Laptop has issue booting off non HP Hardware. Oh well just one of those things to make you go Huh!