M.2 SSD Upgrade

[QuadTips]

Here is the Driver page for that other laptop I linked to in my previous post.

I wonder what would happen if I attempted to flash with either of those two files.

Software and driver results for:

HP ENVY Notebook - 17t-n000 CTO (Touch) (ENERGY STAR)Not your product?

BIOS (2)

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors)

F.25 Rev.A 26.5 MB Jan 15, 2016 DownloadHP's Terms of Use DetailsPrevious versions

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors)

F.04 Rev.A 12.9 MB Nov 19, 2015 DownloadHP's Terms of Use Details

jeff

[Huffer]

Either nothing will happen or you will brick your laptop. Please don't

[soundprizm]

---

@QuadTips wrote:

Here is the Driver page for that other laptop I linked to in my previous post.

I wonder what would happen if I attempted to flash with either of those two files.

Software and driver results for:

HP ENVY Notebook - 17t-n000 CTO (Touch) (ENERGY STAR)Not your product?

BIOS (2)

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors)

F.25 Rev.A 26.5 MB Jan 15, 2016 DownloadHP's Terms of Use DetailsPrevious versions

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors)

F.04 Rev.A 12.9 MB Nov 19, 2015 DownloadHP's Terms of Use Details

jeff

---

They will either work, or not work. It's almost impossible to screw it up because the BIOS flash program checks the signature of the .bin that corresponds to each motherboard. The m7-n109dx motherboard is 80e6, and if you extract the .exe file (the BIOS file you download from HP), you'll see that there are a few .bin files in there. If there is no 80e6.bin, then you'll get a prompt stating the "application is not compatible with this model;" or something along those lines. 

This is all a bit ridiculous. Is there no way to get in contact with the HP department that handles the BIOS updates? There has to be some department that handles the updates. I mean, how do they determine the bugs that need to be worked out for each BIOS update, and who handles that? For our model, there has been at least three updates, so what gives? If an actual HP tech cannot install an M.2 SSD, then there's something definitely wrong; and my money is on the BIOS.

[QuadTips]

I received my HP Branded SSD M.2 this afternoon and installed it.  It DOES NOT work 😞

jeff

[soundprizm]

---

@QuadTips wrote:

I received my HP Branded SSD M.2 this afternoon and installed it.  It DOES NOT work 😞

jeff

---

Without the correct BIOS settings, I fear that no M.2 will work. 😕

[Big_Dave]

@soundprizm

@QuadTips

Very interesting results since I have a similar HP laptop that uses the Adata m.2 SSD and it works.  It could very well be that there is a hidden BIOS function that needs to be enabled at the factory. There might be a technical reason for doing so but in so doing leaves negative questions in the customer's mind.  Why buy a laptop with a m.2 slot if it can't be used?

[soundprizm]

---

@Big_Dave wrote:

@soundprizm

@QuadTips

Very interesting results since I have a similar HP laptop that use the Adata m.2 SSD and it works.  It could very well be that there is a hidden BIOS function that needs to be enabled at the factory. There might be a technical reason for doing so but in so doing leaves negative questions in the customer's mind.  Why buy a laptop with a m.2 slot if it can't be used?

---

I concur! It's like buying a house, but not being able to use a room because the owner didn't give you all the keys! 

Is there a way to get in touch with the HP development team so the BIOS issue can be flagged for investigation? It's really a simple fix, it's just that end users don't have the tools to change the settings. I know older HP units used to have a key sequence to enable advanced settings, but I'm pretty sure they did away with that. 

[Huffer]

Trust me we have flipped this up to the Development Team at HP. There is a parallel conversation going on in the backroom where we can (sometimes) communicate indirectly with the Engineers. So far, we have received no definitive answers but I am sure they are working on it and will let us know what they find out.  

[soundprizm]

That's good to know! Thanks, Huffer!

Also, if any engineers or anybody needs any testing done; I'd happily serve as the gunea pig! 🙂

[QuadTips]

The latest SSD I tried was purchased from HP's Parts store.

Part Number - 814224-001 HP SSD 512GB M2 SATA-3 TLC

It was shipped to me on 1/21/2016, I received it the next day and posted my results as soon as I had time.

I sure wish HP engineering would spend 20 minutes on this, I'd be very surprised if it took any longer than that.  The next time I have the system open, I'll take a snapshot of the card itself.

jeff