Install 512GB NVMe instead of 256 GB PCIe-3 x 4 NVMe SSD?

[LDJBaxter]

PC: EliteBook 840 G3

OS: W10 64bit (eventually)

HD of choice: WD Black NVMe M.2 2280 WD512G1X0C

I am attempting to install a 512GB NVMe (WD Black PCIe NVMe, model WD512G1X0C, not SATA III) M.2 Drive on an EliteBook 840 G3 (PN L3C65AV) so I can install W10 64bit from PXE via Network Boot. This PC is used for livestreaming so increased speed would be helpful.

The HP Spec indicates that 256GB NVMe is compatible as PCIe 3 x 4 at https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-elitebook-840-g3-notebook-pc/7815294/document/c05259054#AbT4

MSINFO32 doesn't report on what motherboard is installed.

BIOS is updated to 01.24 Rev A

Motherboard has an M.2 - M-keyed connector. Original 180GB SSD is keyed B+M. See Photo.

840 G3 M.2 Socket

Is the WD Black PCIe NVMe drive really compatible? (according to this site it is - https://ssdcompares.com/wd-black-pcie-ssd-next-generation-storage-high-performance-pcs/)

The WD Black is M keyed and fits the socket.

WD's site seems to indicate it is not compatible - https://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=17144

This is what I have tried:

I can boot to a USB Linux drive and see/format/partition the 512GB NVMe.

When I boot to PXE the install fails because no drive is detected.

I can run Hard Disk Test from BIOS System Diagnostics - SMART test Passes but no further test will run.

Does this laptop just need Chipset updates or BIOS settings altered to make it work?

Sorry if I overlooked something.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[erico]

I notice you stated W10 64-bit OS eventually.

Under Linux take a look at the FOG install. It may serve your needs better in Linux. Chipset updriver updates will, as far as I can see,  are only currently available in Winfdows OS.

Personally, I would consider Samsung EVO 960 NVMe SSD products over WD Black as the benchmarks I have seen rank them higher than the WD Black SSD drives.

You may be able to identify the motherboard in the BIOS.

At a Windows desktop with Ctrl+Alt+S, the motherboard info is easily found.

[LDJBaxter]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Samsung EVO 960. I found some bechmark results that made me cringe on the WD Black solution that I had already purchased. If I can't make the WD Black work then I won't be able to make the Samsung work either.

Hopefully someone with specific hardware knowledge on the 840 G3 will definitively confirm or deny compatibility.

Motherboard is HP 8079.

[erico]

Did you try making a GPT volume on the WD SSD prior to the W10 install with the DiskPart utility that is available in the Windows 10 installer?

Make the disk RAW without format.

Your notebook has the skylake chipset.

[LDJBaxter]

Yes, I have used the DiskPart to mark the volume as GPT. No success. The imaging script we use does all of the drive formatting as part of the imaging process.

I also used the Clean command to wipe all formatting and return it to RAW. No success. The imaging script reports no Hard Drive found.

I can see the card as a Legacy and/or UEFI boot option in the BIOS but when I run Hard Disk Diagnostics the drive is not seen. The BIOS has to be set to boot Legacy to allow PXE boot.

Either the hardware itself doesn't support 512GB NVMe or the imaging process we use doesn't recognize the device. I am curious that the specs allow a 256GB PCIe 3 x4. The Skylake specs allow for PCIe 3 x 4 also (https://ark.intel.com/products/90590/Intel-H110-Chipset) unless I am reading something wrong.

[LDJBaxter]

I ended up having success with the installation of a SanDisk 512GB X300s Single Sided MLC 80mm (2280) SATA III (6G) M.2 NGFF SSD w/ SED - SD7SN3Q-512G-1002. It doesn't have the same performance I was hoping for but the solution has worked well for my purposes.