Is it possible to install a second ssd in the HP Pavilion Gaming - 15-ec0001ca?

[koother]

I have been using this laptop for a while, and i realized that the amount of storage i have (256 gb), I just need to know if there is another spot for a secondary ssd, as i plan on using one for the essentials and the other for misc

[banhien]

@koother 

Machine has dual storage option. It already has 256GB of M.2 SSD, its specs

    https://www8.hp.com/ca/en/laptops/product-details/31536234

You can add 2.5" HDD or SSD to your machine. You will need more parts. Please read from page 33 of the following manual for more information

     http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06446633.pdf

Regards.

[Huffer]

The answer is yes. In addition to the slot used for your 256 gig M.2 NVME SSD there is a bay to hold a 2.5 inch SSD or HDD no more than 7mm thick (superslim form factor). However, since you ordered the laptop without a 2.5 inch disk the mounting hardware is not included. 

See p. 19 of the Manual here:

Manual 

Also see pp. 28-34 for access instructions and image of how to mount and attach the 2.5 inch disk. 

Looks like this inside:

red arrow points to hard drive

The immediate issue is you need a bracket and a cable to connect the disk and HP does not offer the bracket. See p. 19. The cable and connector piece is offered, however:

Hard drive connector/cable   L72698-001

HP Parts Store directs you to resellers:

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=A594FDD5630A4DDDA23DB852A4E4F949&SearchIn=P...

You can also get generic mounting adapters that would work. Post back if you want to pursue further. I am pretty sure I can locate this for you but it may take a bit of time and I want to be sure you really want to do this. You can also just install a larger capacity M.2 SSD. 

Post back with any more questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[koother]

Thanks for responding, huffer, im thinking it would be easier to just upgrade the ssd's itself, however how would I go about getting the contents (driver's windows etc) from the original ssd's to the upgraded one?

[Huffer]

If it is still new where you have not installed a lot of additional software on it, the laptop comes with a recovery app that will let you make a thumb drive to recover a factory image as it was out of the box. You would put in the new SSD and then run the recovery to put the laptop back as it was out of the box but with more storage. If you have an external hard drive there are also ways to "clone" the old drive to a backup file and then recover that backup to the new SSD. I do this kind of thing all the time and there are lots of ways to do it but would need to know your exact situation, the hardware you have to work with and a bit about your comfort level with this kind of thing to give full advice.